Cabin Exhibit along the Path To Learning, Little River Canyon National Preserve
Lenth: .5 mile
Time: 30 minutes with stops at exhibits
Difficulty: Easy
The Path to Learning is a short, educational trail geared towards children that is located behind the Little River Canyon Center, the visitor center for Little River Canyon National Preserve. It is C-shaped with trailheads on both the left and right sides of the building—start at one, end at the other. I am certain that school groups are ushered around the trail in a particular order, but if you just want to go on a short walk with your children (or on your own), it does not matter which side you start on. I began at the trailhead on the left side of the building, and this report is written from that perspective.
Regardless of where you start, there are paved sidewalks on each side of the building that lead to the Path to Learning trailheads. If you begin on the right side, there is a gravel road to cross. On the left side, the sidewalk ends at the trail.
Left-side trailhead for the Path to Learning, Little River Canyon National Preserve
There are four exhibits along the Path to Learning that cover different topics: plants, animals, geology, and human occupation. Because each exhibit area has benches around it, I am assuming this trail is mainly used for Ranger-led school programs. The trail offers nothing for anyone out to do actual hiking, but it is a good choice for families with small children who need some exercise. The exhibits are kid friendly.
Plants Exhibit along the Path To Learning in Little River Canyon National Preserve
As for the trail itself, it is a wide path that alternates between gravel and dirt. The surface is smooth, free of rocks and roots that can cause people to trip. It heads slightly downhill into a ravine and then back up on the other side, but the slopes are so gradual that most of the time you won’t even notice that you are walking on anything but level ground.
Typical terrain on the Path to Learning in Little River Canyon National Preserve
When starting the trail on the left side of the Little River Canyon Center as I did, the People Exhibit comes right near the start. Just after that is a fork in the trail with no directional signage. Stay to the left. A right just dead ends at a field after a hundred yards or so. This is the only tricky spot on the hike.
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on June 5, 2025
