Little River Canyon National Preserve
Little River Canyon National Preserve
4.5
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The deepest canyon east of the Mississippi is surrounded by the scenic beauty of Lookout Mountain.
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- bigthicket595 contributionsBeautiful spot even if waterfall just trickling!1st suggestion- put the Visitor center in your GPS. If you just put the Preserve in you may be driving around quite a while to find the entrance as we did. Several others had done the same thing. When the GPS says you reached your destination you are likely not going to be able to get internet and switch directions. We were glad we had an old fashion map.😀 The park is beautiful and the hikes are nice. We did the Little River Falls hike right out of the visitor center. Water was not much in the waterfall when we were there due to lack of recent rainfall but it was still a great hike and a great view. They have a very nice visitor center with a store. Wolf Creek overlook had a great view of the canyon. Mushroom rock is right in the middle of the road so that’s pretty cool. Glad we stopped here!Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 2, 2023
- Denise TSeminole, Florida24 contributionsAbsolutely Beautiful!!!I have never seen anything so gorgeous in real life. This was the first time visiting and seeing such a truly beautiful nature setting. We started out at the front where we parked, and when we walked to the front, it was breathtaking with a fall. We left that area and followed out up onto a trail in the woods that was a bit of a hike. Wear good shoes no flops or crocs etc. as it is muddy, your climbing rocks, sticks and roots are all over. Once we reached the end, we had to descend down a rock trail to this absolutely amazing oasis. It opened up to a ginormous mouth of water/falls and the pictures you see do not do it justice. Bring a bottle of water, the hike back up these rocks , if your not seasoned , will get your breath (and you may be sore the next day ;) )Visited January 2024Traveled with familyWritten January 2, 2024
- CatKcentralIllinois124 contributionsA nice surprise for us.We were travelling from TN to Georgia and spent a day and night in Fort Payne. What a great stop - beautiful scenery and amazing waterfalls. So glad we had a chance to see the area. Also there is Trail of Tears history here. We also stopped at DeSoto State Park and enjoyed that.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 16, 2024
- Allen and WandaJasper, Alabama357 contributionsNice Visit to Little River Canyon on 2 May 2024We spent several hours driving (and viewing) the many scenic features of Little River Canyon along the 11-mile drive. For whatever odd reason, the Canyon Visitor’s Center does not open until 10:00 a.m. The large falls is impressive and we especially appreciated the Mushroom Rock. All around pleasant morning visiting this Alabama treasure. We had our National Parks Senior Pass handy but there was no “checkpoint” to pay a fee or present your card.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 3, 2024
- RoadtriptrishaPhoenix, Maryland655 contributionsmake sure you have correct location before you comemake sure the GPS is taking you to the visitor center or parking lot for the little river canyon falls; we used Waze and it took us to a gravel 11 mile road that was on opposite side of the falls and we wasted an hour driving around the entire park before we finally got to the correct location. There was no GPS so we had no choice but to follow the road until we could get to the end. The signage and info about the trails is a little confusing so we only did the main little river canyon trail which was a short walk on boardwalk to the overlook. Nice little visitors center.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 5, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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DawnousAtl
Atlanta, Ga351 contributions
Sep 2020
Went just to the Falls area on a Saturday in September. Lot of people there and NONE wearing masks or taking any Covid precautions. We were able to stay away from people except on trail. Glad we had our masks. The falls are worth seeing and its fun to climb out on the rocks at the top and get into one of the pools there. We also hiked the trail to an area where you can access the river (about half a rocky mile). People there were jumping from a high cliff into the river and also hanging out in the water and on the rocks. Its a special place, but would be better to go on a weekday in the fall or spring when school is in session. Parking is generous and free. There is a boardwalk to view the falls and treacherous paths to get out on the rocks or down to the river.
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mathstud
Mulberry, FL547 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
The movie at the visitor center was good. They could do a bit more with the exhibits, however. The canyon was amazing. The overlook immediately across from the visitor center is the best. However, the drive along the west side of the canyon is well worth it. There are several high quality overlooks along the way. Be prepared for steep grades and make sure you have plenty of gas to make the whole trip around the canyon.
Written November 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hatzlacha
Virginia938 contributions
Jul 2022
We stopped by as part of the ongoing NPS visits. The walk over to the primary view of the waterfall is easy enough, perhaps half well-marked path and the rest concrete highway/bridge. The view was okay if you've never seen a waterfall before, but otherwise you're quite far away and it can get crowded. I suspect there are more trails to explore, but if it's a quick visit don't expect to be impressed by anything unique.
Written August 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine S
Bolton, UK11,566 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
After visiting the welcome centre we visited the falls, from the overlook then down to the river. There’s an accessible route as well as walking route to the overlook.
People were enjoying swimming in the river, others had just left their trash which spoilt it somewhat! I can’t understand why people visit a beautiful spot and spoil it for others!
The scenic drive was nice with views over the canyon.
People were enjoying swimming in the river, others had just left their trash which spoilt it somewhat! I can’t understand why people visit a beautiful spot and spoil it for others!
The scenic drive was nice with views over the canyon.
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holliday
12 contributions
Jun 2020
Go for the swimming holes and hiking! Hippie Hole can get crowded during the summer, but you can just just swim down or climb to another spot away from the crowd. There are a lot of stunning hidden swimming spots throughout the park. The 127 Yard Sale (aka "The World's Longest Yard Sale") runs right along Little River Canyon every August and both are worth checking out!
Written October 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise T
Seminole, FL24 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
I have never seen anything so gorgeous in real life. This was the first time visiting and seeing such a truly beautiful nature setting. We started out at the front where we parked, and when we walked to the front, it was breathtaking with a fall. We left that area and followed out up onto a trail in the woods that was a bit of a hike. Wear good shoes no flops or crocs etc. as it is muddy, your climbing rocks, sticks and roots are all over. Once we reached the end, we had to descend down a rock trail to this absolutely amazing oasis. It opened up to a ginormous mouth of water/falls and the pictures you see do not do it justice. Bring a bottle of water, the hike back up these rocks , if your not seasoned , will get your breath (and you may be sore the next day ;) )
Written January 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Solo Nutiket
28 contributions
Feb 2020
The best way to see the canyon is during the winter months when leaves are off the trees going down the river in a kayak. Or, during the summer to just go swimming. There are a lot of places "off the map" to explore. We have been taking the scout troop there for over 20 years to go swimming on the way to summer camp. During the winter we set up camp and make day trips all around the area. More than enough to spend a week there.
Written July 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CLH79
Springville, AL234 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
We absolutely love Little River Canyon. We come at least once a year. Only about an hour from our home. Lovely drive around the canyon with lots of pull off spots to look and take pics and wander through the woods. The main waterfall is beautiful! Beautiful leaves this time in October!
Written October 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bigthicket
595 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
1st suggestion- put the Visitor center in your GPS. If you just put the Preserve in you may be driving around quite a while to find the entrance as we did. Several others had done the same thing. When the GPS says you reached your destination you are likely not going to be able to get internet and switch directions. We were glad we had an old fashion map.😀 The park is beautiful and the hikes are nice. We did the Little River Falls hike right out of the visitor center. Water was not much in the waterfall when we were there due to lack of recent rainfall but it was still a great hike and a great view. They have a very nice visitor center with a store. Wolf Creek overlook had a great view of the canyon. Mushroom rock is right in the middle of the road so that’s pretty cool. Glad we stopped here!
Written November 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OleMustang
Starkville, MS73 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
This is a magnificent park and Little River Canyon is a must see if one has time to do some sightseeing. In riding around the canyon, caution is advised. Roads are good but winding with steep curves. It seem all the overlooks and pull offs are located in a curve and are gravelled. Can be somewhat hazardous pulling back out on the road.
Written June 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be traveling through
Fort Payne. Would it be possible to pit stop though and see the falls with kids in ~30 minutes?
Written August 15, 2020
If you want to stop and see the falls, it could take a little longer, because by going back thru Ft Payne, you do some backtracking. Here is a shortcut and might make the round trip about 40 min. Exit 218, right turn on hwy 35, follow that thru town. It will turn right and go up the mountain. You will cross hwy 89 and the falls are about 5 miles ahead. On the way back, when you get to Hwy 89 turn right, immediately you will turn left on Beason Gap Rd. Follow it downhill, when it dead ends, turn left, then the first right. This will take you to hwy 11, turn right and follow signs to exit 222 I-59.
Another option would be to go straight on hwy 89 thru Desoto State park you will want to stay there sometime. Stay on 89 until you get to Desoto Falls, turn right. Visit the falls, 8 min, then when you come back, go straight across hwy 89 and take that short cut down down to I -59. I take the scouts up there on the way to summer camp and we usually spend two days there, hiking, swimming
Written August 18, 2020
Little River is a whitewater river. There are 3 sections, upper-experts, upper two (lower two) advanced, and chairlift to canyon mouth park is intermediate with a couple class IV rapids.
Written August 20, 2020
What are the must see areas to see in the park?
Written June 24, 2020
That all depends on your conditioning. You can drive along the scenic highway, walk and view the water fall, go swimming at the falls, or "little falls" all of which are fairly easy to get to, or rappel and climb cliff's, whitewater kayak the river, basically for experts and advanced paddlers,and there are a couple of hiking trail. Need more explicit info, find solo nutiket
Written August 20, 2020
How long does it take to get to the talks from the parking area? And how far is the hike to the swimming area? Im handicapped and can't handle very long distances.
Written September 23, 2018
There is handicapped parking in front of the visitors center but I do not know where the swimming area is.
Written September 23, 2018
My mom doesn’t walk a lot. Would this still be beneficial to visit
Written July 21, 2018
The waterfalls have a boardwalk that is wheelchair accessible; if a wheelchair is an option since she can’t walk far. There is a beautiful overlook of the falls so it would be well worth it. If that isn’t an option you can see the back of the falls as you drive over the river. There is a large parking lot next to the boardwalk and it isn’t too far of a hike to see the falls. The boardwalk was very helpful for me. The scenic drive has many overlooks that don’t require walking but a few feet. I have a bad leg and can’t walk long distances and I was able to enjoy this park immensely. I wouldn’t definitely give it a try because it is a beautiful place.
Written July 21, 2018
Have you been fly fishing in the Little River Canyon? What have you caught?
Written August 18, 2017
A Tripadvisor member
I've never been fishing there and have never seen anyone else fishing. You could probably fish with a simple rod and reel, but fly fishing would probably be difficult in this area.
Written August 22, 2017
is it possible to swim somewhere in the little river canyon national preserve?
Written July 12, 2017
Yes, several locations. Hippie hole, Blue Hole and Martha Falls. Find on the information signs.
Written July 13, 2017
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