Little River Canyon National Preserve | LITTLE RIVER CANYON CENTER

Little River Canyon Center at Little River Canyon National Preserve

Little River Canyon Center at Little River Canyon National Preserve

The visitor center for Little River Canyon National Preserve is known as the Little River Canyon Center and is housed in a building owned by Jacksonville State University. It is one of the largest visitor center buildings you will come upon, but most of it consists of classrooms for K-12 school functions and Jacksonville State offices. The National Park Service portion consists only of an information desk and a few exhibits in the lobby area. Even the Gift Shop is owned and run by the University, though it does sell some National Park items. A natural history museum is planned for the future, but again, this will be part of Jacksonville State.

As with all National Parks, if at all possible, start your visit at the visitor center. At the Little River Canyon Center you can pick up a number of brochures, not just on the park, but on DeSoto State Park nearby, and other attractions in the area. The Little River Canyon Center is typically open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM. However, before making travel plans, get the latest times and schedules on the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours web page for Little River Canyon National Preserve.

Lobby of the Little River Canyon Center at Little River Canyon National Preserve

Lobby of the Little River Canyon Center at Little River Canyon National Preserve

Exhibits in the lobby of the Little River Canyon Center at Little River Canyon National Preserve

Exhibits in the lobby of the Little River Canyon Center at Little River Canyon National Preserve

The building is home to a modern movie theater—sans the stadium seating and plush multi-plex seats—but the screen is large and the sound is good. An excellent 20-minute park film is shown on demand. Since there is no human history in the park worth mentioning, the film focuses on what there is to do in the park, including segments on fishing and white water kayaking.

Little River Canyon Center movie theater at Little River Canyon National Preserve

Little River Canyon Center movie theater at Little River Canyon National Preserve

Plan to spend around a half hour at the Little River Canyon Center, which gives you time to watch the film, ask questions, and pick up the necessary brochures.

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Last updated on April 21, 2023
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