Little River Canyon National Preserve, managed by the National Park Service, sits on Lookout Mountain a 10 minute drive from DeSoto Bluffs Campground. The Little River runs for most of its length on top of the mountain before cutting a canyon lined with sandstone cliffs, boulders, pools and waterfalls.
Little River Falls
A 45-foot waterfall on Alabama Highway 35, where the river pours over a wide sandstone ledge. Park in the paved lot on the west side of the Highway 35 bridge; an ADA-accessible boardwalk leads to a close view of the falls.
- Little River Falls Boardwalk: 0.1 mile, easy.
- Bridge Trail: 0.75 mile, easy, crossing above the falls.
- Little Falls Trail: 0.75 mile, moderate, with 137 stone steps down to Little Falls, a smaller ledge waterfall and a popular summer swimming spot.
On late spring and summer weekends the lot is often full by 11 AM. Overflow parking is at the Little River Canyon Center from 10 AM to 4 PM, except Mondays.
Little River Canyon Rim Parkway
The 23-mile scenic drive on Alabama Highway 176 follows the canyon rim between Little River Falls and Canyon Mouth Park, with 8 overlooks, 4 trails, the Mushroom Rock formation and rock climbing access points. Allow about 45 minutes without stopping.
- Graces High Falls Overlook: at 133 feet, Graces High Falls is the tallest above-ground waterfall in Alabama, according to the park. It is seasonal and flows mainly after rain.
- Eberhart Point: start of the steep, winding section that is closed to trailers and RVs, and of the Eberhart Trail down to the river.
- Trails along the parkway: Beaver Pond (1.5 miles, easy), Powell (0.75 mile, moderate), Eberhart (0.75 mile, steep and strenuous) and Lower Two-Mile (0.1 mile, steep and strenuous).
Swimming holes
Blue Hole is on Highway 35, a quarter mile east of Little River Falls. The water is calm and slow-moving, which suits young children and new swimmers, and there are picnic benches and charcoal grills by a small parking lot. On summer weekends the lot often fills by 11 AM and is closed until spaces open.
The pools above and below Little River Falls and at Little Falls are also popular, mainly in summer and fall when the river runs low. Conditions change quickly after rain, and the park reminds visitors that they are responsible for their own safety. Never swim alone, and stay out of the water when the river is high or fast.
Canyon Mouth Park
The day-use area at the south end of the canyon has paved parking, restrooms, a reservable pavilion, picnic tables and grills, river access, a playground and the easy 1-mile Canyon Mouth Trail along the river.
- Fees: $15 per vehicle per day or a $35 annual pass. America the Beautiful passes are accepted. The fee machine takes cash or card and no bills over $20.
- Hours (Central): 8 AM to 6 PM in spring and fall, 8 AM to 7 PM in summer and 8 AM to 5 PM in winter. Vehicles left after closing may be ticketed or towed.
Little River Canyon Center
Run by Jacksonville State University at 4322 Little River Trail NE, Fort Payne, the center has park information, a short film about the area, a gift shop and the easy 0.5-mile Path to Learning Trail. It is generally open 10 AM to 4 PM Central, Tuesday through the weekend; call 256-845-3548 to confirm hours.
Rock climbing
The Rim Parkway has rock climbing access points inside the preserve, where National Park Service rules apply. If you would rather climb close to your RV, rock climbing on the DeSoto Bluffs property is self-guided and requires appropriate climbing skill and a signed liability waiver.
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures at nps.gov/liri or call the preserve at 256-845-9605. Details on this page come from the National Park Service as of October 2026.
Last updated .
Directions from camp to Little River Falls