Little River Canyon

About this spectacle

Little River Canyon in northeastern Alabama carves a dramatic gorge through Lookout Mountain, one of the few rivers in North America that flows for most of its length atop a mountain plateau. Visitors standing at the canyon rim are greeted by sheer sandstone and limestone cliffs plunging toward a clear, swift river below. The overlooks reveal dense deciduous forest canopy in shades of deep green in summer and blazing orange and red in autumn. Waterfalls — most famously Little River Falls at the canyon's northern entrance — cascade over broad rock ledges, their roar audible from the viewing platforms. Wildlife including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and a variety of raptors can be spotted along the rim trail. The interplay of mist, moving water, and forest creates a layered visual landscape that rewards patient observers at almost any season.

When to go

Jan — Dec, peak Oct — May

Getting there

Nearest airport: HSV. Nearest city: Fort Payne.

Booking options

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