Little River Canyon National Preserve
Hours
See this week's hours below.
- Entrance fee
- $15 · private vehicle
- Phone
- 2568459605
- Address
- 4322 Little River Trail NE Suite 100, Fort Payne, AL 35967
About Little River Canyon
Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. Forested uplands, waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, pools, boulders, and sandstone cliffs offer settings for a variety of recreational activities. Natural resources and cultural heritage come together to tell the story of the Preserve, a special place in the Southern Appalachians.
Hours
Little River Canyon National Preserve
The main park is open during daylight hours every day including holidays.
| Monday | Sunrise to Sunset |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Wednesday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Thursday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Friday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Saturday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Sunday | Sunrise to Sunset |
Canyon Mouth Park
Summer Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (CST) Fall/Spring Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (CST) Winter Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CST)
| Monday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
Entrance fees
| Private Vehicle | $15 | Admits all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/motorcycle) into Canyon Mouth Park for one day. The pass is non-transferable. Insert cash only (no bills larger than a $20) into the fee machine to gain entrance. Place the receipt on the dashboard of your vehicle, making sure the face of the receipt is visible. |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | $15 | Valid for 1 day. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. The pass is non-transferable. Insert cash only (no bills larger than a $20) into the fee machine to gain entrance. Place the receipt on the dashboard of your vehicle, making sure the face of the receipt is visible. |
An America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee at every site that charges one.
Getting there
Little River Canyon National Preserve follows along the Little River and covers approximately 40 miles from the northeast corner to the southwest corner. The easiest way to access the park is by Alabama Highway 35 about 10 miles east out of Fort Payne, Alabama. Interstate 59 is the closest interstate.
Weather
The weather in Fort Payne, Alabama is mild. The average temperature in the winter is in the 50's. The average summer temperature is in the high 80's with high humidity. We receive about 55 inches of rain each year. Snowfall varies, but only lasts a few days per event.
Things to do
Auto and ATV, Backcountry Hiking, Biking, Birdwatching, Canoeing, Climbing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Food, Freshwater Fishing, Freshwater Swimming, Front-Country Hiking, Gift Shop and Souvenirs, Hiking, Horse Trekking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Hunting and Gathering, Junior Ranger Program, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Paddling, Picnicking, Road Biking, Rock Climbing, Scenic Driving, Shopping, Swimming, Wildlife Watching.
Source: National Park Service data feed, checked September 24, 2026. Hours shown are the Park Service's posted standard hours plus any date changes it lists. Official page for Little River Canyon ↗