DeSoto State Park spreads across Lookout Mountain just outside Fort Payne, with forest trails, sandstone outcrops, CCC-era structures, and a string of waterfalls that look their best after rain. It is one of the easiest ways to get into the Appalachian edge of northeast Alabama without committing to a long backcountry trip.
The park is good for a half-day hike, a picnic, or an overnight in a cabin or campground. DeSoto Falls is nearby rather than in the main developed area, so check the map before you go; combining the falls with one or two shorter trails makes the strongest visit.