Entrance Fee
$15.00
/ Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Hours (Today)
Sunrise to Sunset
Jacksonville State University Little River Canyon Center: 10:00AM - 4:00PM
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About the Park
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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Visitor Centers
Jacksonville State University Little River Canyon Center
The Jacksonville State University Little River Canyon Center is located adjacent to Little River Canyon National Preserve. National Park Service staff and Volunteers and Jacksonville State University staff will greet you and help you plan your visit. Amenities include: Information desk, restrooms, movie, gift shop, trails, and picnic tables. Hours are 10 AM - 4 PM Central Standard Time. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
Parking & Access
Getting Here
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.
Official NPS directionsParking Lots
Beaver Pond Trailhead
The Beaver Pond Trail parking lot is a small gravel lot along Alabama Highway 176 / Little River Canyon Rim Parkway. This parking lot also serves as access to utility lines - do not block the gate.
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Blue Hole
Blue Hole is a family friendly swim holes at Little River Canyon National Preserve. The Blue Hole parking lot is found .25 miles east of the Little River Falls parking lot on Alabama Highway 35. The parking lot is dirt, gravel, and rock - parking is not allowed along the access road to the lot. Lot subject to flooding. This parking lot fills up quickly during the busy summer months, often being full by 11:00 AM. Once full, park staff may close the lot until spots become available - please plan accordingly.
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Canyon Mouth Park
Canyon Mouth Park is the second largest parking area at Little River Canyon National Preserve, and is in the only fee area of the park. Picnic benches, a multi-stall restroom with running water and flushing toilets, a playground, numerous soccer goals, the Canyon Mouth Trail, and easy river access can be found near the parking areas. Access can be had at the entry gate during open hours. Should staff not be on duty, the fee machine is available and is cash only (America the Beautiful passes accepted too).
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Canyon View Parking
The gravel parking lot for the Canyon View overlook is located on Alabama Highway 176 / Little River Canyon Rim Parkway and features picnic benches, a trash receptacle, an interpretive wayside panel about the canyon, and a spectacular railed overlook of Little River Canyon.
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Crow Point Parking
The gravel parking for Crow Point is located along Alabama Highway 176 / Little River Canyon Rim Parkway and features picnic benches and a railed overlook of Little River Canyon and the confluence of Little River and Bear Creek.
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Eberhart Point Parking
The gravel and pavement parking at the Eberhart Point overlook and Eberhart Trail is located on Alabama Highway 176 / Little River Canyon Rim Parkway and features numerous picnic tables, trash receptacles, a vault toilet, the beginning of the Eberhart Trail, and two railed overlooks of Little River Canyon. When parking alongside the paved road around the picnic area, ensure your vehicle is outside the painted lines on the road.
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Graces High Falls Parking
The gravel parking at the Graces High Falls overlook is located on Alabama Highway 176 / Little River Canyon Rim Parkway and features a short boardwalk with a view of Graces High Falls (a seasonal waterfall typically running in winter and spring) and an interpretive wayside panel about the waterfall.
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Hawk's Glide
The gravel and dirt parking area for the Hawk's Glide overlook is located on Alabama Highway 176 / Little River Canyon Rim Parkway and features picnic tables, a trash receptacle, and a railed overlook of Little River Canyon.
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Jacksonville State University Little River Canyon Center
The Jacksonville State University Little River Canyon Center features a paved parking lot along the front side of the building and a gravel overflow parking area. This parking lot gives visitors access to the Little River Canyon Center, as well as to the Path to Learning Trail and the Bridge Trail leading into Little River Canyon National Preserve.
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Little River Falls Overlook
The Little River Falls Overlook parking lot is a gravel parking lot located on Alabama Highway 176 / Little River Canyon Rim Parkway and features a boardwalk overlook with a view upriver to Little River Falls, multiple picnic tables, and a trash receptacle. Parking during busy summer months is limited to 30 minutes only (valid when signs are posted).
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Little River Falls Parking Lot
This 167 space paved parking lot is where visitors will find a boardwalk leading to a close-up view of the 35' high Little River Falls, a path leading to the sidewalk on the Alabama Highway 35 bridge over the Little River and leading to the Bridge Trail to the Little River Canyon Center, and the trailhead to .75 mile (one-way) Little Falls Trail. During busy summer weekends this parking lot is often full by 11:00 AM (CST) and may be closed until spots become available - please plan accordingly.
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Lower Two Mile Trail
The small gravel parking area for Lower Two Mile Trail is located on Alabama Highway 176 / Little River Canyon Rim Parkway.
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Lynn Overlook
The Lynn Overlook parking lot is a gravel parking lot located along Alabama Highway 176 / Little River Canyon Rim Parkway and features picnic tables, a trash receptacle, a sandstone glade, and a canyon overlook. This parking lot can be subject to heavy erosion and potholes in the rainy season. The parking lot is open from sunrise to sunset.
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Mushroom Rock
Mushroom Rock is a unique sandstone formation located in the middle of Alabama Highway 176 / Little River Canyon Rim Parkway. Parking is located before Mushroom Rock when travelling in either direction on the road - DO NOT PARK ON THE PARTITION! This feature is located on a blind hill and turn on the road - drive slow and use extreme caution when walking or driving around Mushroom Rock.
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Powell Trail Parking
This gravel parking lot for the Powell Trail is located on Cherokee County Road 275 and is the trailhead for the .75 mile (one-way) trail.
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Wolf Creek Parking
The gravel parking lot at Wolf Creek overlook is located on Alabama Highway 176 / Little River Canyon Rim Parkway and features picnic benches, a trash receptacle, and one of the best railed overlooks of Little River Canyon.
Open in MapsGetting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Park Amenities
Permits & Reservations
Permits may be required
Some activities in Little River Canyon National Preserve — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard 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.
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$35.00The Canyon Mouth Park Annual Pass is valid for unlimited visits for one year from the month of purchase. The pass admits the pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/motorcycle), and is non-transferable. Pass must be signed to be valid, ID required with pass. Insert the pass into the fee machine to gain entrance and wait for the lift arm to open.
Operating Hours
Little River Canyon National Preserve
The main park is open during daylight hours every day including holidays.
- MondaySunrise to Sunset
- TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
- WednesdaySunrise to Sunset
- ThursdaySunrise to Sunset
- FridaySunrise to Sunset
- SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
- SundaySunrise to Sunset
Photos
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
canyon with green trees and blue sky with clouds
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
May-September
Trip Length
1 day
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Planning Little River Canyon
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