Yellow Creek offers an easy, short paddle. It takes you upstream through the ruins of a giant stone railroad bridge where you can paddle to the rock gardens and beach below the house-sized boulders. A short hike leads to 100-foot Yellow Creek Falls, which tumbles into a clear blue hole that’s perfect for swimming. You can start after breakfast, do the whole thing, and be back by lunch. But bring lunch along, this is an excellent picnic opportunity.

Plan your trip

Put in at the public ramp near Leesburg on County Road 273 and paddle upstream about three-quarters of a mile. At the giant stone trestles, secure your boat on the boulders and hike up the trail (unmarked but obvious) about one quarter-mile to reach Yellow Creek Falls. Make more of your trip by camping at nearby Driftwood Campground and paddle the seven miles to the falls via Weiss Lake’s big water. Courtesy, Alabama Scenic River Trail