National Parks Guide: Alabama's Little River Canyon
— -- Chance Bishop says he makes the roughly 180-mile trip to the Little River Canyon National Preserve three or four times a year to test his skills against the rapids.
Near Fort Payne, the preserve offers forested uplands, bluffs, waterfalls, sandstone cliffs and the canyon that gives the park its name. Little River runs some 30 miles atop Lookout Mountain, making it the longest mountaintop river in the nation, says Troy Mueller, the preserve's chief ranger.
It's the river that brings whitewater enthusiasts from around the country, says Bishop, 32, of Montgomery, Ala.
"It's easy to get to, and once you get in the park, you feel like you are miles away from everything," he says. "Little River is a challenge; there's good rapids there. I wouldn't advise beginners to try it."
The canyon itself is about 12 miles long and about 600 feet deep, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Little River runs from an elevation of about 1,900 feet above sea level to about 1,200 feet above sea level. The river empties into Weiss Lake.
The park is working to add land to the preserve on the eastern rim of the canyon to protect it from development, Mueller says.
Along with thrills on the river, the park offers primitive camping from February to September at three locations in the Backcountry Area of the park, hiking and horseback-riding trails, and scenic drives along a network of roads.
Fishing is allowed year-round, with proper state licenses, and hunting is allowed in portions of the park during state-established seasons and with the proper state licenses.
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About the park
Size: About 14,000 acres
Visitors: 225,549 in 2011
Established: 1992
History: In 1939, DeSoto State Park was formed, including the area of Little River Canyon. The canyon was then known as May's Gulf or May's Gulch. The name was changed upon the opening of the state park. In 1969, the Alabama Legislature designated the portion of Little River from south of the bridge on state Highway 35 to the mouth of the canyon as a State Wild and Scenic River.
When visiting: The visitors center, on Little River Canyon Court, is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. CT seven days a week. Visitor info: 256-845-9605.
Of note: Little River runs for about 30 miles atop Lookout Mountain, making it the nation's longest mountaintop river.
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