Little River Canyon National Preserve

Little River Canyon National Preserve is an outdoor activity in Fort Payne, AL, part of the Chattanooga and Helen guide. Cost: free.

4322 Little River Canyon Trail NE · Fort Payne, AL

Why you should go…

This 15,288-acre preserve protects the Little River, which flows along the top of Lookout Mountain and has carved one of the deepest canyons in the Southeast. A 23-mile rim parkway follows the western edge past overlooks where sandstone cliffs rise as much as 600 feet. You can stop at Little River Falls, look for 133-foot Grace's High Falls and Mushroom Rock, hike wooded trails and picnic. Only Canyon Mouth Park charges a per-vehicle entrance fee.

#national preserve
#waterfalls
#scenic drive
#canyon overlooks
#hiking

What's around here?

The closest stops to Little River Canyon National Preserve, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

Sport & Outdoor
Outdoor Adventure
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Under $25
Hike to canyon overlooks and down to two waterfalls in a thousand-foot-deep gorge on Lookout Mountain.
28 mi awayMore like this
Shopping
Quirky Fun
Unclaimed Baggage
Free
Shop a 50,000-square-foot store that sells the contents of lost airline luggage, from clothing to electronics.
30 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping
Attractions
Iconic
Rock City
$25–$50
Follow a garden trail through rock formations to Lover's Leap, a swinging bridge and Fairyland Caverns.
39 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions
Sightseeing
History Buff
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Free
Drive and walk Civil War battlefields lined with monuments and cannons, then take in Chattanooga from Point Park.
39 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
Stay
Family Favorite
Comfort Inn & Suites Dalton West
$50+
A Dalton hotel off I-75 Exit 333 with hot waffle breakfasts, evening cookies and an indoor heated pool.
40 mi awaySwitch it up: Stay
Sport & Outdoor
Outdoor Adventure
Haig Mill Lake Park
Free
Walk or bike the 3.5-mile paved loop around Haig Mill Lake, paddle a kayak and fish from floating piers in Dalton.
43 mi awayMore like this