Noccalula Falls Park re-opens animal barn three years after devastating fire

More than three years after a devastating and deadly fire at Noccalula Falls Park, a new animal habitat has officially opened to the public.

The new facility includes a wide variety of animals but also adds updated safety features for the animals and any visitors.

Keep reading to learn more about the updated Animal Barn + how you can visit and see what else is happening around Noccalula Falls Park.

$1.1M animal habitat

In May 2021, a fire broke out at the Noccalula Falls Park petting zoo, killing around 75 animals including birds, reptiles and guinea pigs.

The city quickly got working on a plan to build a new habitat for the surviving animals. A $1.196 million bid from Bob Smith Construction was accepted in 2023.

On Nov. 7, the city and the campground held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new barn to the public.

“Congratulations to the Falls crew on their grand opening! A lot of hard work went into seeing this project through to completion. Happy to have the Animal Barn at Noccalula Falls Park and Campground open once again!”

~ Craig Ford, Gadsden mayor

The new facility also has upgraded to a fire suppression system and direct communications with the fire department that includes live cameras of inside and outside the barn.

Animals in the park include:

• Alpacas
• Goats
• Mini horses
• Pigs
• Guinea pigs
• Gators
• Sloths
• Spider monkeys
• Clown fish

You can visit the new animal habitat every day between 9AM and 5PM.

New campground

Noccalula Falls Park and Campground is undergoing a huge renovation — running more than $11 million total.

The Gadsden City Council in January approved Lambert Contracting LLC’s $11,376,500 bid for a major renovation at Noccalula Falls. This project includes:

• Realignment + expansion of the internal roadway network (including decorative lighting)
• New utility services
• Reconstruction + realignment of RV parking spots
• Bathhouse renovations
• New zero-entry swimming pool + large pavilion
• New administrative office
• Reconstruction + resurfacing of lower parking lot
• New gateway signage
• Landscaping upgrades

The project is supposed to be completed by January of 2025.

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