| Copyright 2007 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
Little River Falls - Alabama
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Little River Falls - Scenic Beauty in Alabama
Located atop Lookout Mountain in Alabama, Little River Falls is
one of the most spectacular and easily accessible waterfalls in
the South. An added plus is that these falls flow year-round,
unlike many Southern waterfalls that dry up or turn into a slight
trickle during the summer.
Little River Falls are located in Little River Canyon National
Preserve, where Alabama Highway 35 crosses Little River near
Fort Payne. The waterfall is less than 30 minutes from Interstate
59 and can be seen from two locations. An overlook on the
preserve's Canyon Rim Drive provides a view of the 45-foot falls
from the top of the canyon. A much closer view can be obtained
by crossing over the river on Highway 35 from the entrance to the
scenic drive. A parking area just east of the bridge provides
access to a paved path that leads to another overlook and the
actual falls.
Neither overlook involves walking steps, although the paved
pathway on the east side of the river descends a steep hill. The
access area on the east side of the bridge also allows visitors to
venture out on the rocks to the falls and the river feeding them.
The falls have been a landmark for thousands of years. Native
Americans knew of them for centuries before the arrival of
Europeans. They were noted by early explorers and settlers of
the region and an early river crossing was located just upstream.
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Edna Hill
Community grew up around the falls. The rushing water was
used to power a mill and a store, church and homes were
located in the vicinity.
In 1992 the waterfall became part of Little River Canyon National
Preserve, one of the nation's newest national park areas. Other
waterfalls and whitewater rapids can be found in the preserve,
but Little River Falls and nearby DeSoto Falls are the most
accessible.
one of the most spectacular and easily accessible waterfalls in
the South. An added plus is that these falls flow year-round,
unlike many Southern waterfalls that dry up or turn into a slight
trickle during the summer.
Little River Falls are located in Little River Canyon National
Preserve, where Alabama Highway 35 crosses Little River near
Fort Payne. The waterfall is less than 30 minutes from Interstate
59 and can be seen from two locations. An overlook on the
preserve's Canyon Rim Drive provides a view of the 45-foot falls
from the top of the canyon. A much closer view can be obtained
by crossing over the river on Highway 35 from the entrance to the
scenic drive. A parking area just east of the bridge provides
access to a paved path that leads to another overlook and the
actual falls.
Neither overlook involves walking steps, although the paved
pathway on the east side of the river descends a steep hill. The
access area on the east side of the bridge also allows visitors to
venture out on the rocks to the falls and the river feeding them.
The falls have been a landmark for thousands of years. Native
Americans knew of them for centuries before the arrival of
Europeans. They were noted by early explorers and settlers of
the region and an early river crossing was located just upstream.
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Edna Hill
Community grew up around the falls. The rushing water was
used to power a mill and a store, church and homes were
located in the vicinity.
In 1992 the waterfall became part of Little River Canyon National
Preserve, one of the nation's newest national park areas. Other
waterfalls and whitewater rapids can be found in the preserve,
but Little River Falls and nearby DeSoto Falls are the most
accessible.
| Little River Falls in Summer Little River Canyon National Preserve Fort Payne, Alabama |
| Little River Falls from the East Overlook Little River Canyon National Preserve Fort Payne, Alabama |
| Little River Falls from Canyon Rim Drive Little River Canyon National Preserve Fort Payne, Alabama |