#97 Look and Tremble Falls in Calhoun County, Florida (100 Natural Wonders of the South)

Look and Tremble Falls
Calhoun County, Florida

Florida is not known for its whitewater, but one small stretch called Look and Tremble Falls makes our list of the 100 Natural Wonders of the South.

Please click here to see the entire list as it is unveiled.

Look and Tremble Falls (also called Look and Tremble Shoals or Look and Tremble Rapids) is located near the town of Altha in Calhoun County, Florida. Formed by the passage of the beautiful Chipola River over a stretch of rocks, the falls can barely be seen during times of high water but when conditions are right reach Class I and sometimes even Class II levels.

The rapids are a result of Florida's unique karst topography. Where the Chipola flows from the hills of Jackson and northern Calhoun Counties onto the coastal plain, it has carved a channel down to the limestone that rests beneath much of the region. This has created a rocky bed that the river is slowly eroding. The passage of the spring-fed water of the Chipola over these rocks create Look and Tremble.


Look and Tremble Falls

As noted above, the beauty and power of the falls vary greatly through the year depending on water levels in the river. When the water is high, they cause barely a ripple on the surface. When the Chipola is at normal levels, however, the rapids because quite scenic.

Paddlers often enjoy shooting the rapids and then carrying their kayaks or canoes back around to repeat the ride. The Northwest Florida Water Management District maintains a picnic area and launch on the riverbank just above the falls.

To learn more about the history and how to visit Look and Tremble Falls, please visit: www.exploresouthernhistory.com/lookandtremble.

The page includes video of the falls running at Class II level.