Park Details
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Park Details
Location Information
Address:
Superintendent
Little River Canyon National Preserve
2141 Gault Avenue North
Fort Payne, Alabama 35967
Telephone:
(205) 845-9605
Directions:
The park is located on Lookout Mountain in Cherokee and DeKalb Counties,
east of Fort Payne, Alabama. From Chattanooga take I-59 south to Alabama
Highway 35, Fort Payne Exit #218 and proceed east to the Preserve and Little
River Falls. From Birmingham take I-59 north to the Fort Payne Exit at
Alabama 35 and proceed east to the Little River.
Transportation:
No public transportation available. Nearest commercial airports are
in Chattanooga and Birmingham.
Operating Hours/Seasons
The park is open year round. The Canyon Mouth Park Unit is a day use area. At this time, there are no federal facilities within the Preserve. For more information contact the Park Headquarters at 2141 Gault Avenue N., Fort Payne, Alabama 35967. (205)845-9605.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Fees:
None.
Reservations/Permits:
ATV's are required to have a permit. Permit's are free and are issued
to anyone with a valid drivers license by any NPS Ranger or at the Superintendent's
office at 2141 Gault Avenue, North, Fort Payne, Alabama 35967.
Climate, Recommended Clothing
Warm, humid summer, wet, cool winter. Mild spring and fall.
Facilities and Opportunities
Canyon Mouth Park is a day use area located along the riverside. It is accessible from Cherokee County Road 273. Camping and lodging facilities are available at DeSoto State Park (1800-568-8840) and other private campgrounds located all around Little River Canyon. For a list of all the available campgrounds surrounding Little River Canyon, please write or call our office. (205)845-9605. 2141 Gault Avenue North, Fort Payne, AL 35967. We also have a listing of hotels and bed and breakfasts' located in the general area.
Recommended Activities/Park Use
Sight-seeing from overlooks located along the Canyon Rim Parkway. Picnicking, hiking, wading, white water paddling, canoeing, mountain biking, horse back riding (you bring the horse) and rock climbing are popular activities. Hunting, fishing, and trapping are permitted in designated areas. A day use area, ideal for family picnics, is located at Canyon Mouth Park.
Visitation
Approximately 300,000 primarily between April and October. Visitation is the highest April through June, September and October, lowest in January.
Basic Visit Recommendations:
Sight-seeing and hiking (approx. 1 1/2 miles) down and around Little
River Falls on Alabama Highway 35. You can take some fantastic waterfall
pictures, especially when we have just had rain. Drive down and stop at
the overlooks along the Canyon Rim Parkway. The drive starts at the top
of the mountain and ends at Canyon Mouth Park. It's approximately 25 miles,
the drive takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Canyon Mouth Park offers barbeque
grills, picnic tables, a pavilion, bathrooms, wading, hiking (approx. 1
1/2 miles), fishing (if you have a license). This area is shady with a
sandy beach area that is perfect for a family outing. It's absolutely free
and a great place to spend a summer day.
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
DeSoto State Park, DeSoto Falls, and Lake Weiss. For more information contact the DeKalb County Tourist Association (205-845-3957).
Additional Information
Acreage:
Authorized October 21, 1992. Acreage 14,000 (Federal 8,719, Nonfederal
5,281)
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