Little River Canyon National Preserve | Tennessee River Valley (2024)

FAQs

Is Little River Canyon worth visiting? ›

The falls are worth seeing and its fun to climb out on the rocks at the top and get into one of the pools there. We also hiked the trail to an area where you can access the river (about half a rocky mile). People there were jumping from a high cliff into the river and also hanging out in the water and on the rocks.

Little River Canyon, located atop northeast Alabama's Lookout Mountain, was carved out by the river after thousands of years and is one of the deepest canyons in this part of the United States. A 23-mile drive runs along the canyon's rim that offers spectacular views into the 700-foot-deep gorge.

Experience this 1.4-mile out-and-back trail near Fort Payne, Alabama. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 36 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, running, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

To protect this water quality, scenic, recreational, and fish and wildlife values over time, the Little River and its tributaries receive the protections afforded under section 7(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and are also designated as Outstanding National Resource Waters by the state of Alabama.

Summer and fall find the river low, exposing the picturesque sandstone beneath while leaving pools of water perfect for wading in above the falls, and a wonderful swimming hole below the falls.

Little River Canyon is one of the most spectacular landforms in this region, carved into the flat top of Lookout Mountain and reaching depths in excess of 600 feet in some sections. It is one of the deepest canyon systems east of the Mississippi River and the deepest in the state of Alabama.

Established as a preserve in 1992, Little River Canyon possesses a wealth of cultural history – from the native American populations who lived here to troops who camped here during the Civil War and the construction of the Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia Rail Line (TAG Rail Lines).

Together Little River and the Little River Canyon area form one of the extraordinary natural features of Alabama. Little River flows unimpeded through five minor impoundments.

Swimming at DeSoto Falls Picnic Area

Can swim above A. A. Miller Dam, in the West Fork of Little River (above DeSoto Falls near Mentone, Alabama) The DeSoto Falls Picnic Area is located 7 miles from the main park area. No lifeguard--swim at your own risk.

How long is the Little River Rail trail? ›

The whole 46 km-long walkway and cycleway runs from Hornby in Christchurch to Little River on Banks Peninsula. The Motukārara to Little River section described here covers 20 km. Easy grades makes this walk or ride suitable for young children and family groups.

Georgia's “l*ttle Grand Canyon” is a testament to the power of man's influence on the land. Massive gullies as deep as 150 feet were caused simply by poor farming practices during the 1800s, yet today they make some of the prettiest photographs within the state.

Indian tribes called the stream Mineola, meaning “l*ttle river” and that became its name. Little River is one of the oldest settlements along the coast, with fishermen and farmers coming to stay in the late 1600s and 1700s.

DeSoto State Park and the Little River Canyon National Preserve both offer public lands to anglers. DeSoto State Park provides excellent access to some of the West Fork.

Exposed within Little River Canyon National Preserve are basal Pennsylvanian sedimentary rocks of the Pottsville Formation. The lower portions of this unit contain massive, conglomeratic, quartzrich sandstone, shale, coal, and mudstone beds deposited in prodelta, barrier and back-barrier depositional environments.

Try this 4.9-mile out-and-back trail near Springerville, Arizona. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 2 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.

There is a fee and reservation system that are required to enter this park. The cost for a MANDATORY tour ranges every year and you cannot enter the canyon without paying for a tour.

Definitely visit this place! The ice formations are pretty amazing. If you like a nice hike with plenty of amazing scenery, then this canyon is a must. There is also the ability to go ice climbing if you have the equipment and knowledge.

We visited Sequoia and Kings Canyon. If you had to choose 1, pick Kings Canyon. I think it offers everything in Sequoia and more: big trees, river and waterfalls, plenty of hikes, a lake, mountain tops and canyon views... This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.