Blue Hole on the Little River, Little River Canyon National Preserve

Blue Hole is a popular swimming area within Little River Canyon National Preserve. It is located on AL 35 a half mile east of the Little River Canyon Center. It has its own parking lot, but there are only a dozen spaces plus a little curb parking for maybe a dozen more passenger vehicles. According to a park Ranger, on a nice day the place is full by 11 AM.

Parking lot at Blue Hole, Little River Canyon National Preserve

For those kayaking the Little River within the Wildlife Management Area, Blue Hole is the only safe take-out spot before the waterfall just a half mile farther downriver. The water is no more than 20 feet from the parking lot, so it is an extremely convenient exit point.

Calm waters of the Little River at Blue Hole, a popular swimming spot in Little River Canyon National Preserve

In addition to swimming, Blue Hole has three picnic tables and two grills. Due to the limited parking and small number of tables, this is not a picnic area for hosting group events. The better option is the picnic area at Canyon Mouth Park. This is a much larger facility with a covered pavilion that can be reserved in advance, a playground, multiple places to swim in the Little River, and modern restrooms.

Picnic table and grill at Blue Hole, Little River Canyon National Preserve

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