Little River Canyon National Preserve

This little gem of a park is on top of Lookout Mountain above Fort Payne, Alabama.  This is one of 18 national preserves administered by the National Park Service.  The Little River Canyon Center is a Jacksonville State University facility that also houses a National Park Service visitor center, but I arrived after it had closed for the day.  Even though I visited in mid-June 2012, the water flows were high due to recent heavy rains.  The 45 foot high Little River Falls is located just downstream from the Alabama Highway 35 bridge.  There is a large paved parking lot just east of the bridge.  A short paved and fenced trail through the woods leads to a boardwalk-style overlook.  The falls are also easily accessible to those with mobility issues via a newly constructed concrete ramp and composite boardwalk.

Stairs back to parking area

Ramp back to parking area

Martha's Falls Trail

Downstream is the eight to ten foot high Martha's Falls.  It is accessible via a primitive 0.6 mile trail from the main falls or from a closer parking area on Highway 35.  Before arriving at the falls, I took a short, but steep side trail down to the river.

Beginning of trail to Martha's Falls

The trail narrows as it goes

Looking downstream toward Martha's Falls

Boulder strewn riverbed

Looking upstream

Martha's Falls

Canyon Rim Drive

For the less adventurous, there is a scenic drive along the west rim of the canyon.  There are several viewpoints with gravel parking areas.

Little River Falls from the overlook

Canyon from the Lynn Overlook

Mushroom Rock

Canyon from the aptly named Canyon View

Canyon from Wolf Creek overlook

Canyon View overlook from Wolf Creek overlook

View downstream from Wolf Creek

The preserve has three backcountry campsites, but otherwise is a day use area only.  Many of the overlooks on the Canyon Rim Drive have picnic tables, but there are no other facilities in the canyon.


The preserve website is http://www.nps.gov/liri.