#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.

#98 Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama (100 Natural Wonders of the South)

Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama

Oak Mountain State Park in Alabama is #98 on our list of 100 Natural Wonders of the South.

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

Located in Pelham on the southern outskirts of Birmingham, Oak Mountain State Park protects nearly 10,000 acres of beautiful mountain scenery. The park features waterfalls, hiking trails, lakes, overlooks, equestrian trails, picnic areas, camping and more.

Peavine Falls at Oak Mountain

Among other key points of interest in the park is the Alabama Wildlife Center, the state's oldest and largest animal rehabilitation facility. Workers and volunteers there care for more than 2,500 sick or injured wild animals each year. The center is open to the public and can be visited daily from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The real attraction of Oak Mountain, however, is the incredible scenery so close to a major metropolitan area. The mountaintop picnic area provides a place for family outings with incomparable views. During the autumn leaf change, the hills and valleys come to life with displays of gold and red. The road up to the top becomes a tunnel of color and the picnic area turns into a place of incomparable beauty.

Visitors to the park also love Peavine Falls. Part of a 65-foot cascade, the waterfall is reached via the Green or Peavine Falls Trail. The staff at the park entrance station can update you on how well the waterfall is flowing before you make the hike. Like many Southern waterfalls, it usually flows best in the winter and early spring.

Please click here to learn more about Oak Mountain State Park!

#100 Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, Florida (100 Natural Wonders of the South)

Rainbow Springs State Park

Our series highlighting 100 Natural Wonders of the South begins with Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, Florida.

This magnificent natural spring flows at an average rate of more than 490 million gallons of water per day. Once the centerpiece of a unique nature-themed amusement park, it is now part of a 1,470 acre state park.

Natural springs are not uncommon in Florida. There are more springs in the Sunshine State than anywhere else in the world. Despite its magnificent size, Rainbow Springs is only the fourth largest in Florida, but its beauty is unsurpassed.



Waterfall at Rainbow Springs

Even more remarkable is the fact that this place of such phenomenal natural scenery was once the center of a phosphate mining district. Called Florida's "white gold" during the early 20th century, phosphate was mined using picks, shovels and eventually mechanical equipment. The time-softened pits of the mining operations can still be seen in areas of the state park.

The mining days gave way to the era of what could best be described as Florida's first commercial eco-tourism amusement park. There were boats with "submarine" viewing windows, monorails running through the forest, manmade waterfalls, a zoo and more. Holiday Inn was a co-owner at one point.

Azalea Garden at Rainbow Springs

The amusement park days are over, but the State of Florida stepped in to save the spring from private development. The manmade waterfalls still flow and azalea gardens still bloom, but much of the land around Rainbow Spring has been carefully returned to its natural state. The result is a beautiful landmark that ranks as #100 on our list of 100 Natural Wonders of the South.

For more information and to see great video from below the surface of the spring, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/rainbowsprings.

100 Natural Wonders of the South

This fall we are publishing a special series on 100 Natural Wonders of the South!

This series features waterfalls, mountains, natural springs, canyons, forests, caves, geological features, rivers, gardens and more. If you love the outdoors and the wonderful scenery of the South, you will enjoy browsing through the articles.

In addition to details and photographs, each includes a link or links for more information.

The list will be updated here as it is unveiled:

• #96 Dowdell's Knob at Pine Mountain, Georgia
• #97 Look and Tremble Falls in Calhoun County, Florida
• #98 Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama
• #99 Robbers Cave State Park in Wilburton, Oklahoma
• #100 Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, Florida

Look for more updates soon!