Little River Canyon National Preserve

Little River flows across Lookout Mountain through a canyon system with sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, forest uplands, and natural pools spanning 15,288 acres.

The United States Congress designated Little River Canyon as a National Preserve in October 1992, placing it under National Park Service protection.

The Jacksonville State University Canyon Center provides educational programs about local ecosystems and Native American heritage of the Southern Appalachians region.

Visitors need Alabama fishing licenses for angling activities, and the preserve maintains 26 miles of hiking trails across different difficulty levels.

The Little River stands as one of few rivers in North America that flows entirely on top of a mountain, creating distinct geological formations.

Location: Cherokee County

Location: DeKalb County

Inception: October 21, 1992

Operator: United States National Park Service

Address: 4322 Little River Trail #100, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USA 35967 Fort Payne

Phone: +12568459605

Website: https://nps.gov/liri

GPS coordinates: 34.44060,-85.59560

Latest update: August 1, 2025 08:13