Waterfalls

Little River Canyon National Preserve is home to three named waterfalls, with multiple unnamed seasonal falls during the winter and spring or after periods of intense rainfall.

Little River Falls

The most popular feature of Little River Canyon National Preserve is Little River Falls. At 45 feet (13.7 m) high, Little River Falls demonstrates the power of water, with Little River carving it's way through the sandstone bedrock and creating the beautiful canyon surrounding it. The flow of the falls varies with the season. 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. Winter and spring rains bring the waterfall to it's full, dangerous glory.

Access to Little River Falls can be found from the paved parking lot on the west side of the Highway 35 bridge. An ADA accessible boardwalk leads visitors to a close view of the falls.

* On late spring and summer weekends, the Little River Falls parking lot often is full by 11:00 AM (CST) and park staff will close the lot until spaces become available. Have a back-up plan in case this area is inaccessible due to a full parking lot.

Little Falls (formerly known as Martha's Falls)

This mini-waterfall, formed by water cascading over a sandstone ledge the width of the river, is a favorite swimming spot in the summer.

Access to Little Falls can be had from the paved Little River Falls parking lot on Highway 35. The Little Falls Trail is a .75 mile hike which leads to 137 stone stairs down into the canyon to the river.

* On late spring and summer weekends, the Little River Falls parking lot often is full by 11:00 AM (CST) and park staff will close the lot until spaces become available. Have a back-up plan in case this area is inaccessible due to a full parking lot.

Graces High Falls (seasonal waterfall)

At 133' high, Graces High Falls is the tallest above ground waterfall in Alabama. This waterfall is dependent on rainfall and does not flow year-round. Graces High Falls Overlook features a viewing platform on Little River Canyon Rim Parkway.

 

Three photos of three waterfalls within the National Preserve. The first photo is of Little River Falls, our main waterfall. The second photo is Graces High Falls. The Third photo is of Little Falls.

NPS / Matt Switzer

---