NPS Website; Local Website; Little River Canyon Field School Website
WHAT IS IT?A dramatic fast-flowing mountaintop river that has carved a breathtakingly steep canyon in the most unlikely of places, northeastern Alabama.
BEAUTY (8/10)
Little River Canyon N PRES begins in the north at Little River Falls at an altitude of 1,900 feet. The 45-foot high Falls change personalities through the seasons. We saw a moderate flow that exposed a large amount of open rock and stood inches from where the water toppled down. After the winter rains, the Falls are torrential and become a class VI+ whitewater challenge. Summer dries out the cascade while hundreds bathe in its calm headwaters.
After the Falls, the Little River delves downward. In less than a few miles drive, you are looking down into a deep chasm. The intimacy you just shared with the water is a distant memory, a ¾ of a mile hike down. The Canyon views are awesome and reveal quirky treats like a giant mushroom shaped rock and the narrow, gentle plunge of Graces High Fall.
HISTORICAL INTEREST (1/10)
We are not aware of anything.
CROWDS (7/10)
Granted, it was an ugly day, but there were no other cars traveling along the circuitous Canyon Rim Drive. We were able to drive as slow as we wanted to ensure that we did not miss any view.
EASE OF USE/ACCESS (3/5)
The beginning of the Scenic Drive is about ten miles east of Interstate 59, Exit 218 near Fort Payne. Start your tour here in the north and drive southward along the Canyon Rim Drive or Alabama Route 176. There are nine overlooks in the eleven mile drive from Little River Falls to Eberhart Point. We stopped at them all.
CONCESSIONS/BOOKSTORE (1/5)
There is no Visitor Center, no Museum and no bookstore. That is set to change in the distant future when the Jacksonville State University Little River Canyon Field School opens a welcome center which the National Park Service will share. Hopefully, that building’s opening will usher this Site from an unknown regional attraction to its rightful place as one of the most amazing natural sites east of the Mississippi River.
COSTS (4/5)The scenic drive is free. Parking at the Canyon Mouth Day Use area is $2 per vehicle.
RANGER/GUIDE TO TOURIST RATIO (5/5)
Of course, you are going to find Rangers when the temporary Visitor Center doubles as Park Ranger Headquarters. When we entered the current Headquarters in the nearby town of Fort Payne, two Rangers lavished us with attention and showed us pictures of the wonders of Little River Canyon through the various seasons. We really enjoyed our time with the Rangers because they had an effusive love of their Site’s beauty.
TOURS/CLASSES (3/10)
There are no Ranger led tours or talks. Hopefully, that will change. Nonetheless, all overlooks are stocked with NPS brochures and include an explanatory panel. We appreciated the helpful sheet that detailed the Little River Canyon N PRES National Parks Passport Stamp’s whereabouts. The Park Headquarters in Fort Payne distributes a Little River Canyon Field School brochure for those wanting to learn more.
FUN (8/10)
We had no idea what to expect from the Preserve. We passed by this site about a month ago, when a phone call to headquarters told us that it was still hunting season and the trails were mostly washed out due to heavy rains. Trails to the bottom of the canyon are still too slick to try, but that’s ok. The scenic drive escorts you from the falls, along the canyon ridge and through the Preserve, which is breathtaking throughout the year.
Our day in the Preserve was dark and wet. Fog started to descend, partially obscuring views toward the end of the drive. Even in these conditions, its beauty was evident. Photos in the Park Headquarters and stories from the Rangers helped us imagine the Canyon in summer, spring and fall.
Each overlook had an interpretive panel and was well-stocked with NPS brochures. Most had bulletin boards with additional information and suggested hikes. These minor touches make the visitor feel welcome and not alone, even in the dead of winter.
WOULD WE RECOMMEND? (7/10)Does anyone outside of Alabama know about this place? Those in the know take full advantage of the National Preserve as swimming hole, camping space, backcountry trail, hunting grounds and kayaking challenge. As a Preserve, rules are a little more lenient here. Campsites are first come first serve and free. If you can get to them, you can use them.
The addition of the Jacksonville State University Welcome Center will make this area more user-friendly and provide outsiders with even more of a reason to visit this beautiful Alabama treasure.
TOTAL 47/80
www.usa-c2c.com
© 2004-06