Wilson Dam Waterfall can be found next to Alabama’s Wilson Dam on the Tennessee River within the TVA Rockpile Recreation Area on the south side of said river. You could also imagine this as being wedged between Florence & Muscle Shoals Alabama. The waterfall isn’t water from the dam, but instead formed by the area’s Karst topography, meaning the land there is soluble enough to have water flowing from the river to underground pathways and then reemerge, and the result is not one display, but many small and medium waterfalls coming out of the cliff side in the recreation area. To find this, drive to the TVA Rockpile Recreation Area, park, and then walk down the paved access toward Wilson dam. You’re going to see that people use this park as a playground, for exercise, for dog walks, etc. You’ll also notice lots of warning signs about sudden flooding potential from the dam. I snapped a selfie at one, because that’s how I roll.
As you walk closer to the dam you’ll see the cliff side begins leaking a lot of water, and eventually gives way to real waterfalls that we’re collectively calling the “Wilson Dam Waterfall” (which otherwise has no relation to the dam other than proximity.) This is just a stroll in a park, not a hike, but absolutely worth it. There was a visitor center nearby for the Wilson Dam as well, but it wasn’t open when I was there. What did throw me at first is I’d set my sights on finding the dam to find the falls, which won’t get you to the right place. Navigate to the park just around the corner. Here’s a picture of the largest of the falls being produced there on the day I went.
Since you’re checking out the Wilson Dam Waterfall, consider visiting the nearby Cold Water Falls as well.
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