Little River Canyon National Preserve
National Preserve ยท Alabama
NPS Photo
14,000 acres in Alabama (US) managed by the National Park Service
Little River Canyon National Preserve is a United States National Preserve located on top of Lookout Mountain near Fort Payne, Alabama, and DeSoto State Park. Created by an Act of Congress in 1992, the 15,288-acre (6,187ย ha) preserve protects what is sometimes said to be the nation's longest mountaintop river, the Little River. The canyon was historically called "May's Gulf", "gulf" being a common term throughout the Cumberland Plateau for this sort of feature. Prior to being assigned to the National Park Service, the canyon area formed the southmost unit of Alabama's DeSoto State Park.
About Little River Canyon National Preserve
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.
Park Photos
Activities
Operating Hours
Little River Canyon National Preserve
The main park is open during daylight hours every day including holidays.
| mon | tue | wed | thu | fri | sat | sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise to Sunset | Sunrise to Sunset | Sunrise to Sunset | Sunrise to Sunset | Sunrise to Sunset | Sunrise to Sunset | Sunrise to Sunset |
Canyon Mouth Park
Summer Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (CST) Fall/Spring Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (CST) Winter Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CST)
| mon | tue | wed | thu | fri | sat | sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00AM - 7:00PM | 8:00AM - 7:00PM | 8:00AM - 7:00PM | 8:00AM - 7:00PM | 8:00AM - 7:00PM | 8:00AM - 7:00PM | 8:00AM - 7:00PM |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter Little River Canyon National Preserve?
Entrance - Private Vehicle: $15.00. Admits all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/motorcycle) into Canyon Mouth Park for one day. The pass is non-transferable. Insert cash only (no bills larger than a $20) into the fee machine to gain entrance. Place the receipt on the dashboard of your vehicle, making sure the face of the receipt is visible. Entrance - Motorcycle: $15.00. Valid for 1 day. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. The pass is non-transferable. Insert cash only (no bills larger than a $20) into the fee machine to gain entrance. Place the receipt on the dashboard of your vehicle, making sure the face of the receipt is visible.
What are the best activities at Little River Canyon National Preserve?
Popular activities at Little River Canyon National Preserve include: Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Biking, Mountain Biking, Road Biking, Climbing, Rock Climbing, Fishing.
What is the weather like at Little River Canyon National Preserve?
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.
How do I get to Little River Canyon National Preserve?
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.
Entrance Fees
Admits all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/motorcycle) into Canyon Mouth Park for one day. The pass is non-transferable. Insert cash only (no bills larger than a $20) into the fee machine to gain entrance. Place the receipt on the dashboard of your vehicle, making sure the face of the receipt is visible.
Valid for 1 day. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. The pass is non-transferable. Insert cash only (no bills larger than a $20) into the fee machine to gain entrance. Place the receipt on the dashboard of your vehicle, making sure the face of the receipt is visible.
Weather
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.
Directions
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.
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Official Resources
NPS Official WebsiteMore Parks in Alabama
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