πŸ•οΈNational Park Data
Fall Season in the Canyon
Little River Falls in the Spring, located on AL Hwy 35
Little River Falls in the Fall, located on AL Hwy 35
Scenic Driver (AL Hwy 176) in the Fall
DeSoto Scout Trail Bridge located in the Backcountry Area
National Preserve

Little River Canyon National Preserve

Alabama

πŸ’°
Entrance Fee
$15
πŸ•
Hours
Sunrise to Sunset
πŸ“
Location
Fort Payne, AL
πŸ“ž
Visitor Center
2568459605

Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. 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.

Ad: content-inline-1

About Little River Canyon National Preserve

Little River Canyon National Preserve is a national preserve located in Alabama. The weather in Fort Payne, Alabama is mild. The average temperature in the winter is in the 50's. The average summer temperature is in the high 80's with high humidity. We receive about 55 inches of rain each year. Snowfall varies, but only lasts a few days per event.

Little River Canyon National Preserve follows along the Little River and covers approximately 40 miles from the northeast corner to the southwest corner. The easiest way to access the park is by Alabama Highway 35 about 10 miles east out of Fort Payne, Alabama. Interstate 59 is the closest interstate.

πŸ’° Entrance Fees & Passes

The general entrance fee for Little River Canyon starts at $15 (which commonly covers entry for a single private vehicle and passengers for up to 7 consecutive days). The park offers several fee options: Entrance - Private Vehicle ($15), Entrance - Motorcycle ($15). If you plan to visit multiple national parks this year, purchasing the America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass ($80) is highly cost-effective, as general entry to most parks will quickly offset the pass cost.

Entrance - Private Vehicle$15
Entrance - Motorcycle$15

πŸ₯Ύ Things to Do

Little River Canyon National Preserve offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Biking, Mountain Biking, and 25 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

βœ… Auto and ATV
βœ… Scenic Driving
βœ… Biking
βœ… Mountain Biking
βœ… Road Biking
βœ… Climbing
βœ… Rock Climbing
βœ… Fishing
βœ… Freshwater Fishing
βœ… Fly Fishing
βœ… Food
βœ… Picnicking
βœ… Hiking
βœ… Backcountry Hiking
βœ… Front-Country Hiking
βœ… Horse Trekking
βœ… Horseback Riding
βœ… Hunting and Gathering
βœ… Hunting
βœ… Paddling
βœ… Canoeing
βœ… Kayaking
βœ… Junior Ranger Program
βœ… Swimming
βœ… Freshwater Swimming
βœ… Wildlife Watching
βœ… Birdwatching
βœ… Shopping
βœ… Gift Shop and Souvenirs

πŸ“¦ Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Little River Canyon

0 of 11 packed

πŸŽ’ Trail Essentials

πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop

πŸ₯Ύ Activity-Specific Gear

πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop

πŸ§₯ Apparel & Layers

πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ›’ Shop
πŸ’‘ Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

πŸ“‹ Visitor Planning Tips for Little River Canyon

  • β†’Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Little River Canyon before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • β†’Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 1 active alerts for Little River Canyon. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • β†’Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Little River Canyon. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
Ad: content-inline-2

Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Little River Canyon

The entrance fee for Little River Canyon National Preserve is $15 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

πŸ§—

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer β€” National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

πŸ”οΈ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio β†’

More Parks Nearby