The Most Beautiful Location in Alabama - Noccalula Falls

Noccalula Falls is often referred to as the most beautiful location in Alabama. Some even argue that it is the most beautiful place in North America. Anyone who has ever visited Noccalula Falls can tell you that there are strong arguments to support both of these opinions. Aside from breathtaking scenery, Noccalula Falls also has a rich history that revolves around a timeless story.

The history of Noccalula Falls truly is a timeless story. Most people have heard one version of the story or another over the years, but few realized that the origins of the story was a small waterfall nestled into the woodlands of Alabama.

The "Legend of Noccalula", as the story has come to be known, begins long ago, when the falls were still known as Black Creek Falls. A native Chief controlled the area around the Alabama waterfall. This Chief was said to have the most beautiful daughter that any had ever seen. The daughter's name was Noccalula. Many young braves came to the Chief's camp with hopes of taking the tribal Princess as a bride, but the Chief turned them all away.

The husband that the Chief eventually selected for his daughter was the Chief of a very strong neighboring tribe. In exchange for the beautiful bride, the neighboring Chief was to provide many gifts to the father, ranging from horses to blankets. The young Princess, however, was in love with a brave from within her own tribe, and pleaded with her father to let her marry the man she loved.

The young maiden's father felt that this was insanity, and not only denied her request, but banished her love from the tribe forever. On the day of her wedding, dressed in the finest wedding gown, the young Princess slipped away from the tribe and found herself being called by the falls. Her choice was clear, and all of her problems were brought to an end with one simple leap. Saddened by the event, the Chief renamed the falls in honor of his lost daughter. From that time until now, we have known the area as Noccalula Falls.