DeSoto State Park - Alabama

10/28/2026

Fall Color Update (10/28/2026)
High (50-75% change)

There is abundant color among most trees. Deep reds and bright yellows prevail. Some of the earlier changing trees are at peak or near-peak, having reached their brightest stage. As much as half the vegetation has changed color. Late-changing trees like oaks remain primarily green.

Chalk Maples, Dogwoods, Sourwoods, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Serviceberries, Hickories, Blueberries shrubs, Tulip Poplars, & Sweet Gums are very colorful right now, with several species of goldenrods & asters in full bloom
www.alapark.com/DeSoto-Fall-Color

Come experience nature in person at DeSoto State Park!
Join us: www.alapark.com/parks/desoto-state-park

Photo: B. M. Hughes, Alabama State Parks

10/27/2026

Creative Spirit Market
Hosted by DeSoto State Park & Little River Arts Council
Set in beautiful surroundings, this unique open-air art fair offers a vibrant mix of creativity and community. Enjoy live acoustic music as you explore locally and regionally made fine and folk art, handcrafted goods, and live artist demonstrations. Watch painters, potters, weavers, quilters, and other skilled artisans at work, and discover one-of-a-kind gifts perfect for early shopping. Fun for all ages, the event also features interactive art stations for both kids and adults—inviting everyone to get creative and be part of the artistic experience.

Some unique and one-of-a-kind gifts will be available for purchase. Stop by and get some early gift-shopping in!
Dates: November 14th & 15th, 2026 (Second weekend of November)
Times: 10:00 am-3:00 pm each day

The market is held near DeSoto State Park’s picnic area across from the Country Store on County Road 89. If the weather is chilly, market-goers can enjoy a blazing fire in the stone fireplace in the CCC pavilion. Bring your own camp chair to hang out a while and listen to the music. Dogs on a leash are allowed in the park.
There is limited parking in the picnic area, the tennis court area, and in front of the Country Store. If parking anywhere in the picnic area, a $2 per vehicle fee applies. There is no fee to attend the open-air market. Rain or shine event.
www.littleriverartscouncil.org


Please note, artist vendor info can be found at the link below, and only thru the Little River Arts Council website and NOT a individual. Be wary of scammers.
Artist Entry Info: www.littleriverartscouncil.org/artist-entry-form.html

10/26/2026

In a continued effort to promote fairness and integrity for reservation of campsites for our annual
Spookapalooza, the reservation request form opens on
Monday, October 26th at 9:00 AM. Form closes at 5:00 PM.

All callbacks will begin on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Please note that this will be the only method for requesting sites for Spookapalooza weekend 2027. Forms submitted does not guarantee a campsite.

The first 93 responses on this form will be contacted and offered a campsite beginning October 27th; any remaining responses will be added to our waiting list in the order in which they were received. Those added to the waiting list will not receive a call-back unless sites come open due to cancellations throughout the year.

Complete procedures & sample reservation form can be found here: https://www.alapark.com/parks/desoto-state-park/improved-campsites

The reservation request form link will open on Monday, October 26th at 9 AM:
https://alabamadnr.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5mXvPC3Wo7mKv8G

Spookapalooza dates: weekend of October 22-24 2027

10/25/2026

10/25/2026

Announcing the Spookapalooza 2026
Campsite Decorating Contest winner!

1st - Site 87
2nd -Site 34
3rd - Site 92
Spookiest - Site 79
Most Creative - Site 30

Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun and helped make this year’s Spookapalooza a spooky success!

10/25/2026

The 2026 Spookapalooza Pumpkin Carving Contest Winners and Participants are here!

A huge thank-you to everyone who showed off their creative (and spooky!) pumpkin designs this year!

Come back soon to experience nature in person with us at DeSoto State Park. Learn more: alapark.com/parks/desoto-state-park

📸: B.M. Hughes, Alabama State Parks

10/23/2026

Spookapalooza 2027 Campsite Reservations

Mark your calendars! Starting Monday, October 26, 2026, at 9:00 AM (CST), we’ll begin accepting reservations for improved campsites for next year’s Spookapalooza!

This is one of our most popular events, and campsites go VERY FAST, so be ready!

To keep things fair for everyone, please check out the full reservation procedure and see an example request form on our website:

www.alapark.com/parks/desoto-state-park

Photo: B. M. Hughes, Alabama State Parks

10/22/2026

Wear your favorite costume if you dare and visit the candy stations located throughout DeSoto State Park's Improved Campground where campers are participating in Trick-or-Treating on Saturday, October 24, 2026, beginning at 3:00 PM.

Parking for the public is extremely limited inside the campground. For those people not requiring accommodations, we highly recommend parking at the DeSoto State Park Country Store or Picnic Area and walking up to the Lower loop via the Gold Trail or the Silver Trail.

The gates to the Improved Campground will open at 3:00 PM. No public entry will be allowed before 3:00 PM or after 5:30 PM.
Please DO NOT park on the roadsides, and we kindly request that cars not line up at the gate before 3:00 PM.

Learn more: https://reserve.alapark.com/register/Spookapalooza-Trick-or-Treating

Photo: B. M. Hughes, Alabama State Parks

10/21/2026

Fall Color Update (10/21/2026)
Moderate (30-50% change)

As much as half the vegetation has changed color. In the earlier changing trees, the colors are bright. Late-changing trees remain primarily green. Late-changing trees remain primarily green.
Chalk Maples, Sourwoods, & Dogwoods are some trees that are changing now, with blooms like gentians, lobelias, asters, goldenrods, ironweeds, & sunflowers showing off.
www.alapark.com/DeSoto-Fall-Color

Come experience nature in person at DeSoto State Park!
Join us: www.alapark.com/parks/desoto-state-park

Photo: B. M. Hughes, Alabama State Parks

10/16/2026

Fall Color Update (10/16/2026)

Low to moderate (10%-40% change)
Some clearly defined color changes can be seen, but they are not yet at their brightest. About three fourths of the foliage is still green.

Maples, Sourwood, & Dogwoods are some trees that are changing now, with blooms like gentians, lobelias, asters, goldenrods, ironweeds, & sunflowers showing off.

www.alapark.com/DeSoto-Fall-Color

Come experience nature in person at DeSoto State Park!
Join us: www.alapark.com/parks/desoto-state-park

Photo: B. M. Hughes, Alabama State Parks