Little River Canyon National Preserve
Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama.
Photo: NPS Photo / NPS
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.
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Driving times from Little River Canyon National Preserve, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Entrance fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$15.00Admits 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
$15.00Valid 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.
Hours
Little River Canyon National Preserve
- Mon
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Tue
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Wed
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Thu
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Fri
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Sat
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Sun
- Sunrise to Sunset
Canyon Mouth Park
- Mon
- 8:00AM - 7:00PM
- Tue
- 8:00AM - 7:00PM
- Wed
- 8:00AM - 7:00PM
- Thu
- 8:00AM - 7:00PM
- Fri
- 8:00AM - 7:00PM
- Sat
- 8:00AM - 7:00PM
- Sun
- 8:00AM - 7:00PM
Activities
Getting there
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.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to enter Little River Canyon National Preserve?
- Entrance to Little River Canyon National Preserve starts at $15. See the fees section above for each pass and vehicle type.
- What is there to do at Little River Canyon National Preserve?
- Popular activities include Auto and ATV, Backcountry Hiking, Biking, Birdwatching, Canoeing, Climbing.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Little River Canyon National Preserve?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park (1 h 25 min), Freedom Riders National Monument (1 h 38 min), Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument (1 h 52 min), Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (2 h), Russell Cave National Monument (2 h 11 min), Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (2 h 14 min).