Little River Canyon National Preserve

Little River Canyon National Preserve protects one of the deepest and most rugged canyons east of the Mississippi River, a spectacular sandstone gorge carved into the top of Lookout Mountain in the mountains of northeastern Alabama. Remarkably, the Little River flows almost entirely along the top of a mountain, and over countless ages it has cut a wild canyon up to 600 feet deep through the resistant sandstone, creating a landscape of dramatic cliffs, rushing water, waterfalls and forested slopes.

The preserve is a haven for outdoor adventure and biodiversity, with the powerful Little River Falls at its head, deep canyon pools, whitewater for expert paddlers, and rugged cliffs popular with rock climbers. A scenic canyon-rim drive with overlooks reveals the gorge’s breathtaking depths, while trails lead to waterfalls, the canyon floor and the river. Protecting a rich and unusual mountaintop river ecosystem, with rare plants and exceptional diversity, Little River Canyon is a treasured wild landscape and one of the most spectacular natural areas in Alabama.

Little River Canyon National Preserve offers rugged recreation — driving the scenic canyon-rim road with its dramatic overlooks, hiking trails to Little River Falls, Grace’s High Falls and the canyon floor, swimming and wading in the river pools, expert whitewater kayaking, rock climbing on the canyon cliffs, fishing, and birding. The combination of one of the deepest canyons in the East, waterfalls, river recreation and climbing makes the preserve a premier outdoor-adventure destination in northeastern Alabama, drawing hikers, paddlers, climbers and sightseers to its wild gorge.

Spring brings the fullest, most powerful flow over the falls and through the canyon from rain, along with wildflowers, while fall brings spectacular color to the gorge, a premier autumn time. Summer is warm and popular for swimming and wading in the river pools, and winter offers bare-canyon views and quieter trails. The falls and whitewater are best in spring high water; fall color and summer river recreation are highlights. The canyon-rim overlooks reward visits year-round; check water levels for swimming and paddling safety.

Little River Canyon, long admired as one of the deepest canyons in the East, was protected as Little River Canyon National Preserve in 1992 to safeguard the rugged gorge, the unusual mountaintop river and its rich biodiversity. The region carries the history of the Cherokee and other Native peoples and of Lookout Mountain’s mountain communities. Administered by the National Park Service, the preserve protects the canyon, the waterfalls, the river and the surrounding forest, a treasured wild landscape and a centerpiece of northeastern Alabama’s outdoor heritage.

Little River Canyon was carved by the Little River, which flows almost entirely atop Lookout Mountain, cutting down through the resistant sandstone caprock of the plateau to form a gorge up to 600 feet deep. The hard Pottsville sandstone forms the dramatic cliffs, the rim and the ledges over which Little River Falls and other waterfalls tumble, while the river continues to cut through the softer rock below. The unusual mountaintop river, the resistant sandstone and the long erosion created one of the deepest and most rugged canyons in the eastern United States.

The canyon, river and forests of Little River Canyon host white-tailed deer, foxes, wild turkey, and a rich community of birds, including woodland species and the raptors that ride the air over the gorge, while the river supports fish and the cliffs and gorge shelter reptiles and rare plants, and the cool, moist canyon harbors salamanders. The biodiverse Lookout Mountain ecosystem, with its unusual mountaintop river, supports diverse and sometimes rare wildlife. The preserve is a fine place for wildlife watching and birding amid its wild canyon and river.

Little River Canyon National Preserve protects a biodiverse and unusual ecosystem, where the mountaintop river, the deep sandstone gorge, the cliffs, the waterfalls and the forests support diverse plant and animal life, including rare and endemic plants adapted to the canyon’s harsh, fire-influenced uplands and cliff habitats, and a rich aquatic community in the clean river. The preserve is part of a region of exceptional biodiversity. Protecting the canyon, the river’s water quality, the cliffs and the forest sustains both the ecology and the spectacular scenery of this treasured Alabama wild landscape.

Little River Canyon, one of the deepest canyons east of the Mississippi and a rare mountaintop river gorge, holds a treasured place among the natural wonders of Alabama, beloved by hikers, paddlers, climbers and sightseers for its rugged grandeur and wild beauty. Protected as a national preserve, the canyon embodies the dramatic scenery and rich biodiversity of Lookout Mountain. The spectacular gorge, its waterfalls and its river have drawn generations of visitors, making Little River Canyon a cherished and iconic wild landscape of northeastern Alabama.

Little River Canyon National Preserve is in northeastern Alabama on Lookout Mountain near Fort Payne, off State Route 35 and the canyon-rim parkway (State Route 176), about two hours from Atlanta and Birmingham. The preserve is free to enter. It offers the scenic canyon-rim drive with overlooks, Little River Falls, trailheads to waterfalls and the canyon floor, river access, and a visitor center (the Canyon Center). The canyon trails are rugged. Check the National Park Service for the visitor center, trail conditions and access before visiting.

The National Park Service protects the canyon, the Little River, the waterfalls, the cliffs, the rare plants and the forests of Little River Canyon National Preserve. Visitors help by staying on trails and back from the dangerous cliff edges, protecting the rare canyon and cliff plants, climbing and paddling responsibly, packing out everything, protecting the river’s water quality, respecting wildlife, and following preserve rules. Protecting the canyon, the mountaintop river, the cliffs and the forest sustains both the ecology and the spectacular scenery of this treasured and biodiverse Alabama wild landscape.

Little River Canyon’s rim has steep, deadly cliffs — stay on trails and overlooks and keep well back from the edges, supervising children closely, as falls have been fatal. The river’s currents, especially in high water, and the rocks near the falls are dangerous; swim and wade only in safe areas at low water, never near the falls or in strong currents, where drownings have occurred. Whitewater and climbing are for experts. Wear sturdy footwear on the rugged trails, watch water levels and weather, and respect the canyon’s depths and the dangerous water.

The preserve is free to enter. Stay on trails and overlooks and back from the dangerous cliff edges. Swim and wade only in safe areas, never near the falls or in dangerous currents. Whitewater boating and rock climbing require proper skills. Camp only where permitted. Protect rare plants and wildlife; collecting is prohibited. Pets must be leashed. Drones are prohibited. Follow fishing regulations. Pack out all trash. Check the National Park Service for current rules, water conditions and access before visiting.

The town of Fort Payne, the city of Gadsden (with Noccalula Falls), DeSoto State Park and DeSoto Falls (also on Lookout Mountain), and the mountains of northeastern Alabama and northwestern Georgia lie near the preserve, with Cloudland Canyon (Georgia) and the broader Lookout Mountain region within reach. Atlanta and Birmingham are about two hours away. Lookout Mountain and its canyons define the region. Little River Canyon anchors a scenic mountain region of canyons, waterfalls and river adventure in northeastern Alabama, paired naturally with nearby DeSoto Falls.

Drive the scenic canyon-rim road for dramatic overlooks of one of the deepest canyons in the East, stop at the powerful Little River Falls, and hike the trails to waterfalls and the canyon floor — best in spring for the fullest flow or fall for color. Swim and wade only in safe areas at low water, never near the falls or in strong currents, and keep well back from the deadly cliff edges. Wear sturdy footwear, check water levels, start at the Canyon Center, and combine with nearby DeSoto Falls.