Little River Falls, Little River Canyon National Preserve
The highlight of a visit to Little River Canyon National Preserve is viewing Little River Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in a National Park on the east coast of the United States at 45-feet in height. The best view is from the observation deck at the Little River Falls parking lot on Alabama Highway 35 just east of the Little River Canyon Center. The parking lot can hold 100 vehicles including RVs and buses. It opens at sunrise, but it is gated, so you might have to wait for a Ranger if you show up right at the crack of dawn. The gate is locked at sunset. There is also a fancy outhouse in the parking lot, which is what Jed Clampett would call a portable toilet in a permanent building.
The best time to view Little River Falls is in the winter and early spring, the wettest seasons in Alabama (December is the wettest month). Once summer rolls around, the volume of water passing over the falls may just be a trickle, allowing visitors to actually swim in the river below. In the wet season, attempting to do this would most likely lead to instant drowning.
Little River Falls, Little River Falls National Preserve
Once at the Little River Falls parking lot, look for a covered information shelter. There are access points to the waterfall observation deck at the shelter and at a ramp a little farther down the sidewalk. The path to the waterfall forms a loop, so you can enter one way and exit from the other. There are stairs at the information shelter access point, so those in wheelchairs must use the ramp (and return the same way).
Information shelter at the Little River Falls parking lot, Little River Canyon National Preserve
Wheelchair access ramp to the Little River Falls observation deck, Little River Canyon National Preserve
If taking the stairs, it is just a short walk down to the observation platform. Even if you take the wheelchair ramp around, it’s just a few minutes’ walk.
Little River Falls observation platform, Little River Canyon National Preserve
When done viewing Little River Falls, you can return the same way you came or continue around the loop. There are no other views of the falls or even the river, so the loop is just for a little extra exercise.
Boardwalk path near the Little River Falls observation deck in Little River Canyon National Preserve
If you want to add the Little Falls Trail to your itinerary, there is a gap in the fence that allows access to the trail. The Little Falls Trail ends at a popular summertime swimming area. During the wet season, the area is a very scenic section of whitewater.
Access point to the Little Falls Trail from the Little River Falls observation deck loop path, Little River Canyon National Preserve
Little Falls area during high water, Little River Canyon National Preserve
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 4, 2025
