Nearby Attractions

Located at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains, the area around Little River Canyon National Preserve abounds with outdoor recreational opportunities, and is conveniently located within a two hour drive of the cities of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Huntsville, Alabama; Birmingham, Alabama; and Atlanta, Georgia.

Visitors can find 32 National Park Service units within four hours of Little River Canyon, and all 22 Alabama State Park units are within a five and a half hour drive (four of which are an hour or less away).

 

National Park Service Units

The struggle for civil rights. The War of 1812. The Civil War. Areas steeped in the rich heritage of our nation. Scenic Trails and Recreation Areas. Mammoth Cave and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. All these can be found in the 32 National Park Service units found within a four hour drive of Little River Canyon National Preserve. Click on the lists below and start planning your National Park road trip today!

Within 2 Hours of Little River Canyon National Preserve

 
 
 
 
 

Nearby State Parks

Little River Canyon National Preserve lies in the northeast corner of Alabama, with Georgia and Tennessee both very nearby. All three states offer wonderful State Parks and historical sites. While at Little River Canyon, check out the following state parks - listed from closest to furtherst - all within an hour's drive!

DeSoto State Park

7104 DeSoto Parkway NE
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-5380

Continuing in the rustic tradition of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), mountainous Desoto State Park is nestled atop beautiful Lookout Mountain in scenic Northeast Alabama and accented by many rushing waterfalls and fragrant wildflowers that will simply take your breath away. Developed in the late 1930s, the hard-working and dedicated men of the CCC made many natural enhancements to the park that have withstood the test of time and will last for future generations. Come commune with Mother Nature as DeSoto State Park offers a family-friendly atmosphere that holds wonders for people of all ages!
* 15 minutes from the Little River Canyon Center

James H. "Sloppy" Floyd State Park

2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake Road
Summerville, GA 30747
(706) 857-0826

Hike into history along the Marble Mine trail at James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park and immerse yourself in tranquility and the gorgeous setting of one of Georgia’s best kept secrets while hiking, fishing, and boating in the state’s geologically significant Ridge and Valley region.
* 37 minutes from the Little River Canyon Center

Rocky Mountain Recreation & Public Fishing Area

4054 Big Texas Valley Road NW
Rome, GA 30165
(706) 802-5087

The Rocky Mountain Recreation and Public Fishing Area is located near the Chattahoochee National Forest and offers 2 lakes totaling 559 acres. Anglers can catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, redear sunfish, crappie, and walleye.
* 43 minutes from the Little River Canyon Center

Cloudland Canyon State Park

122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road
Rising Fawn, GA 30739
(706) 657-4050

Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon is one of the largest and most scenic parks in the state. Home to thousand-foot deep canyons, sandstone cliffs, wild caves, waterfalls, cascading creeks, dense woodland and abundant wildlife, the park offers ample outdoor recreation opportunities.
* 45 minutes from the Little River Canyon Center

Bucks Pocket State Park

393 County Road 174
Oak Grove, AL 35976
1-800-252-7275

Located in three counties (DeKalb, Jackson and Marshall), the Cherokee Indians once lived on what now is park land before the Trail of Tears. The area was also used for growing coffee and olives by the French during the 1700s and later for logging in the 1940s. As local legend goes, Buck's Pocket also served as a retreat for defeated public officials after unsuccessful elections.
* 48 minutes from the Little River Canyon Center

Cathedral Caverns State Park

637 Cave Road
Woodville, AL 35769
(256) 728-8193

Originally called Bat Cave, Cathedral Caverns was opened to the public by Jacob Gurley in the 1950's. The cave was renamed because of its cathedral-like appearance. Purchased by the state in 1987, it was opened as a State Park in the summer of 2000. The first feature most people notice about Cathedral Caverns is its massive entrance. The huge opening measures 126 feet wide and 25 feet high, a possible world record for commercial caves. The grand entrance is only the beginning. Inside the cavern are some of the most beautiful formations Mother Nature has ever created including “Goliath”- one of the largest stalagmites in the world measuring 45 feet tall and 243 feet in circumference. Cathedral Caverns features many amazing sites: a "caveman" perched atop a flowstone wall, a "frozen" waterfall, a large stalagmite forest and a most improbable stone formation - a stalagmite that is 27 feet tall and 3 inches wide!
* 1 hour from the Little River Canyon Center

Lake Guntersville State Park

1155 Lodge Drive
Guntersville, AL 35976
(256) 571-5440

Located along the banks of the Tennessee River in Northeast Alabama, Lake Guntersville Resort State Park promises to satisfy whether you are looking for a resort style retreat or an outdoor adventure in the park’s 6,000 acres of natural woodlands. Among the park’s many recreational offerings are an 18-hole championship golf course, a beach complex, an outdoor nature center, excellent fishing in Alabama’s largest lake, 36 miles of hiking and biking trails, weekly guided hikes and a day-use area.
* 1 hour from the Little River Canyon Center

Find out more about local state parks at the links below:


Alabama State Parks

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

Tennessee State Parks

 

Nearby Communities

The City of Fort Payne, Alabama, is four miles west of the Little River Canyon Center, and offers numerous restaurants, shopping, city parks, lodging, and recreational opportunities.

The town of Mentone, Alabama, is 18 miles north of the Little River Canyon Center, and offers restaurants, boutique shopping, vacation rentals, and a number of private summer camps.

The City of Rome, Georgia, is 40 miles east of the Little River Canyon Center, and offers numerous restaurants, shopping, city parks, lodging, and recreational opportunities.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is 57 miles north of the Little River Canyon Center and offers numerous restaurants, shopping, city parks, lodging, and recreational opportunities. Chattanooga has the closest airport serving the area around Little River Canyon National Preserve.

Below is a map of the Lookout Mountain Parkway, a scenic drive which connects Chattanooga, Tennessee, with Gadsden, Alabama, and brings you within close range of Little River Canyon National Preserve, De Soto State Park (AL), Cloudland Canyon State Park (GA), Noccalula Falls Park (AL) and privately-owned tourist attractions.

 
A map of the Lookout Mountain Parkway and sights to be seen along the route.

Last updated: January 11, 2021

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

4322 Little River Trail NE Ste 100
Fort Payne, AL 35967

Phone:

256 845-9605 x201
Main phone number for Little River Canyon National Preserve.

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