Little River Canyon National Preserve
4.8(2.5K)google
4.8(20)yelp
Nature
Overview
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 (6,187 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.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 2-4 hours
Best TimeSpring (March-May) brings high water levels, making the waterfalls highly spectacular. Autumn (October-November) blankets the canyon in vibrant fall foliage, perfect for scenic drives.
Getting ThereDriving is recommended. AL-35 crosses the canyon and connects to the Canyon Rim Drive (AL-176), the preserve's main scenic route, which features numerous marked overlooks with parking.
Travel Tips
- One of deepest and most expansive canyons east of Mississippi—Little River flows across Lookout Mountain summit
- 11-mile scenic rim drive with elevation points—iconic Little River Falls
- Free entry, but steep cliffs with minimal guardrails—stay back from edges when photographing
Reviews
Positive
- Standing atop Lookout Mountain with powerful canyon views, pristine forest and wild deer herds, excellent photography opportunities
- One of premier canyon vistas in eastern United States
Heads up
- Late summer dry season (August-September): many cliff waterfalls dry up, sharp mountain curves require careful driving
- Some cliff viewpoints lack guardrails—stay far from edges when photographing