Beautiful waterfalls, breath-taking overlooks, wooded trails, and peaceful picnic areas – Little River Canyon has something for everyone. The Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. The 15,288 acre preserve spans from Fort Payne, Alabama down to Cedar Bluff, Alabama. The Visitor Center is located on AL Hwy 35. The entrance is located on the left just before you cross the AL Hwy 35 Bridge (Fort Payne side). For more information, click here.
NPS / Matt Switzer
Little River Canyon is made up of forested uplands, waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, pools, boulders, and sandstone cliffs offer settings for a variety of recreational activities. Natural resources and cultural heritage come together to tell the story of the Preserve, a special place in the Southern Appalachians.
Little River Canyon is open year-round from sunrise to sunset! This is a day use only park and camping is prohibited. Make a note that phone service is not available with the canyon and many other parts of the park. Free WIFI is available in the Little River Canyon Center.
NPS / Matt Switzer
Little River Canyon National Preserve offers visitors a wide variety of activities – join a ranger for an informative hike, take a ride in the Wildlife Management Area, enjoy a picnic with the family at Canyon Mouth Park, or relax at one of the overlooks and and take it all in!
NPS / Matt Switzer
Little River Canyon National Preserve features over 26 miles of trails and over 20 miles of backcountry roads for your hiking enjoyment! From gentle strolls through woodlands and along the river, to strenuous hikes down into the canyon, Little River Canyon has a trail for just about anyone! Click here to learn more about trails, their lengths, difficulties, and how to get to them.
NPS / Matt Switzer
Fishing is allowed anywhere along Little River inside the Preserve if you have a valid Alabama or Non-Resident Fishing License. Children under 16 and adults over 65 are exempt from a fishing license.
Photo courtesy of Bradley Sparks
Little River Canyon National Preserve offers some of the most difficult and sought-after climbing routes in the South. The sandstone cliffs featured in Little River Canyon are accessible from many roadside pullouts along the Little River Canyon Rim Parkway (Highway 176). Bouldering is also very popular at Little River Canyon.
NPS / Matt Switzer
Bottom line: If you love nature and exploring the outdoors, you will be hard pressed to find a better place than LIttle River Canyon National Preserve. The park is gorgeous and there is an abundance of wildlife and outdoor activities you can enjoy!
NPS / Matt Switzer
For nearby lodging and camping options, click here. For more great parks and amazing locations in the area, click here. For the best family activities, click here.
NPS / Matt Switzer