🐾🌊 Hiking Noccalula Falls & Black Creek Trail with Simba the Adventure Pup! Gadsden, AL

Hey trail friends! Ash here — and this time, Simba the Adventure Pup and I are chasing waterfalls in one of Alabama’s most scenic and historic gems: Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, Alabama! 🚐🐶🌄

This adventure had everything we love in a hike: a roaring waterfall, peaceful creekside paths, rock formations, and plenty of shady forest trails perfect for a golden retriever on the go. Let’s dive in!

📍 Trail Details

🗺️ Location: Noccalula Falls Park – Gadsden, AL
🥾 Trail: Black Creek Trail through Historic Gorge
📏 Distance: ~3.5 miles out-and-back
🌲 Terrain: Shaded, rocky paths with gentle creek crossings
🐶 Dog-Friendly: Absolutely — Simba had the time of his life!

🌊 Starting at Noccalula Falls

We kicked things off at the famous Noccalula Falls, where the water crashes over a 90-foot cliff into the gorge below. The view from the top is breathtaking — and it’s easy to see why this is one of Alabama’s most photographed waterfalls. 📸

We didn’t just admire it from above… our hike would soon take us down into the gorge itself, along the beautiful Black Creek Trail.

🌲 Into the Gorge via Black Creek Trail

Once we hit the trail, we were immediately surrounded by the peaceful sounds of Black Creek. The path winds along the water’s edge, over stone bridges, past giant rock outcrops, and through tunnels of green. 🌿🐾

There were plenty of places to stop for water breaks, snack breaks, and — of course — photo ops. Simba especially loved hopping across shallow creek crossings and finding sticks to carry (his hiking trademark 🐕🪵).

🪨 History Meets Nature

Along the way, you’ll notice historic stonework and signs of the area's past — this gorge has deep roots in Gadsden’s history, and the mix of natural beauty and cultural charm gives the whole hike a unique feel. 🏞️

🐶 How Simba Handled It

Like a champ! 💪 This trail is very dog-friendly — not too steep, well-shaded, and with just enough adventure to keep your pup wagging all the way. Bring extra water and a towel if your dog likes to splash!

✅ RV + Travel Tips

🚐 RV-Friendly? Yes! There are several RV parks nearby, and if you’re staying in Gadsden, it’s an easy day trip.
🅿️ Parking: Free parking is available at the top of the falls, and there’s easy trail access from there.
☀️ Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall are ideal, but summer mornings can also be peaceful (just bring water!).

🎥 Watch the Full Adventure


Don’t miss our full hike + waterfall day in motion! We captured all the sights, sounds, and Simba shenanigans in this week’s video.

📺 Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos featuring:
✅ Dog-friendly hikes
✅ Scenic stops
✅ RV park tours
✅ Golden retriever adventures 🐾

📲 Follow us on all platforms: @lifeonpawsandwheels

🐾 Final Thoughts

Noccalula Falls + Black Creek Trail made for one of our favorite Alabama hikes so far. From the dramatic waterfall to the quiet forest paths, this spot truly has it all — and we loved every minute of it together. 💛

Thanks for coming along with us — see you next trail!
Until then, happy travels, happy tails! 🐕🌲
Location: Gadsden, AL, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hiking Fork Ridge Overlook to Waterrock Knob with Simba the Adventure Pup!

Image
Hey friends! Ash here from Life on Paws and Wheels, and today Simba (my golden retriever and trail-loving sidekick) and I are taking you on one of the most breathtaking hikes we’ve tackled on the Blue Ridge Parkway: the trail from Fork Ridge Overlook to Waterrock Knob in North Carolina! If you’re chasing big mountain views, cool breezes, and unforgettable overlooks, this moderately challenging hike is a Blue Ridge Parkway gem you’ll want to add to your list. 🗺️ About the Trail This ~2.4-mile roundtrip hike begins at Fork Ridge Overlook (milepost 435) and takes you up to the famous Waterrock Knob. Along the way, you’ll traverse forested ridges, rocky sections, and steep inclines — but trust me, the views from the top are 100% worth it. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping, panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains. On a clear day, you can see for miles, and the cool mountain air makes it a refreshing spot to rest, snap photos, and just take it all...
Read more

Hiking the Cat Gap Trail to John Rock Loop with Simba the Adventure Pup!

Image
Hey friends! Ash here from Life on Paws and Wheels, bringing you another pawsome adventure from the road. This time, Simba (my golden retriever and trail-loving sidekick) and I tackled the Cat Gap Trail to John Rock Loop in beautiful Brevard, North Carolina — a challenging but totally rewarding hike in the heart of Pisgah National Forest. If you love summit views, lush forest trails, and dog-friendly adventures, this iconic North Carolina loop hike definitely belongs on your bucket list! 🗺️ About the Cat Gap Trail to John Rock Loop This ~5-mile loop hike is rated moderate to strenuous thanks to some steep climbs and rocky sections, but don’t let that scare you off — the payoff at the top is spectacular. The trail winds through gorgeous forest, follows babbling streams, and eventually brings you to the John Rock summit: a massive granite outcrop with breathtaking panoramic views over the Pisgah mountains, Looking Glass Rock, and the surrounding wilderness. 🐾 Hiking with Simba: Dog-Fri...
Read more

Discovering Wintergreen Falls with Simba the Adventure Pup!

Image
Hey friends! Ash here from Life on Paws and Wheels, back with another gorgeous, dog-friendly hike from the road. This time, Simba (my golden retriever and adventure sidekick) and I explored the Wintergreen Falls Trail in Penrose, North Carolina — a hidden gem tucked inside the beautiful DuPont State Recreational Forest. If you love forest trails, peaceful waterfalls, and hiking with your pup, this one needs to be on your list! 🗺️ About the Wintergreen Falls Trail The Wintergreen Falls Trail is about a 3.1-mile roundtrip hike that leads you through lush forest to the peaceful and picturesque Wintergreen Falls. This trail is rated easy to moderate — it’s mostly gentle terrain with just a few mild inclines, making it a great option for casual hikers, families, and dogs. Along the way, you’ll enjoy shaded paths, serene woodland vibes, and the sound of rushing water as you get closer to the falls. At the endpoint, you’re rewarded with a beautiful view of Wintergreen Falls: a 20-foot cascad...
Read more