{"id":"nps-liri","slug":"little-river-canyon-national-preserve","name":"Little River Canyon National Preserve","designation":"National Preserve","category":"national-preserve","categoryLabel":"National Preserve","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"LIRI","designation":"National Preserve","sourceId":"nps-liri"}],"states":["AL"],"stateNames":["Alabama"],"location":{"lat":34.41461863,"lon":-85.61734327},"bbox":[-85.7055,34.2822,-85.5609,34.5094],"acres":{"value":15393,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. Forested uplands, waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, pools, boulders, and sandstone cliffs offer settings for a variety of recreational activities. Natural resources and cultural heritage come together to tell the story of the Preserve, a special place in the Southern Appalachians.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/liri/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=34.5094&b_tl_lng=-85.7055&b_br_lat=34.2822&b_br_lng=-85.5609","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Little%20River%20Canyon%20National%20Preserve","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/liri/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C870F95-1DD8-B71B-0B1A89976F5B3292.jpg","title":"Little River Canyon in the Fall","alt":"Fall Season in the Canyon","caption":"Little River Canyon in the Fall","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8C825EA4-0C4E-1B2F-69AC99C5CBFF3679.jpg","title":"Little River Falls in the Spring","alt":"Little River Falls in the Spring, located on AL Hwy 35","caption":"Little River Falls in the Spring","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C871272-1DD8-B71B-0BAB8ECC34CDFAB1.jpg","title":"Little River Falls in the Fall","alt":"Little River Falls in the Fall, located on AL Hwy 35","caption":"Little River Falls in the Fall","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C8715EF-1DD8-B71B-0BB9222FFF98A466.jpg","title":"Scenic Drive (AL Hwy 176) in the Fall","alt":"Scenic Driver (AL Hwy 176) in the Fall","caption":"Scenic Drive (AL Hwy 176) in the Fall","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8C37F45E-E19E-9A6A-1B42A53A022BBA37.jpg","title":"Canyon View in Summer","alt":"canyon with green trees and blue sky with clouds","caption":"canyon view in summer","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8C2C932C-AFF7-707D-50B174C49A9C47F3.jpg","title":"Mushroom Rock","alt":"rock shaped like a mushroom","caption":"Mushroom Rock on Hwy 176","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8C446968-B61C-7965-950174DE5CAD8A96.jpg","title":"Grace's High Falls","alt":"waterfall across the canyon","caption":"Grace's High Falls- A seasonal waterfall","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8C58A4FA-05FF-876E-05DD3F27CD0A3CB3.jpg","title":"Canyon Mouth Park","alt":"a river with rock and green trees and blue sky","caption":"Little River at Canyon Mouth Park","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8C8FE506-C325-EE84-9C077B9837F3D766.jpg","title":"Little River Falls in Winter","alt":"waterfalls in winter","caption":"Little River Falls in Winter","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/8C9F8630-C9B1-0B2B-371B9F53171962A7.jpg","title":"Bridge Trail overlooking Little River","alt":"Little River above waterfall","caption":"Bridge Trail overing Little River Falls","credit":"NPS","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Auto and ATV","Scenic Driving","Biking","Mountain Biking","Road Biking","Climbing","Rock Climbing","Fishing","Freshwater Fishing","Fly Fishing","Food","Picnicking","Hiking","Backcountry Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Horse Trekking","Horseback Riding","Hunting and Gathering","Hunting","Paddling","Canoeing","Kayaking","Junior Ranger Program","Swimming","Freshwater Swimming","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Shopping","Gift Shop and Souvenirs"],"topics":["Colonization and Settlement","Explorers and Expeditions","Animals","Birds","Fish","Canyons and Canyonlands","Fire","Forests and Woodlands","Coniferous Forests","Deciduous Forests","Fossils and Paleontology","Geology","Mountains","Natural Sounds","Night Sky","Astronomy","River and Riparian","Scenic Views","Trails","Unique Species","Rare","Endangered","Watersheds","Waterfalls"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Private Vehicle","cost":"15.00","description":"Admits all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/motorcycle) into Canyon Mouth Park for one day. The pass is non-transferable. Insert cash only (no bills larger than a $20) into the fee machine to gain entrance. Place the receipt on the dashboard of your vehicle, making sure the face of the receipt is visible."},{"title":"Entrance - Motorcycle","cost":"15.00","description":"Valid for 1 day. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. The pass is non-transferable. Insert cash only (no bills larger than a $20) into the fee machine to gain entrance. Place the receipt on the dashboard of your vehicle, making sure the face of the receipt is visible."}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"35.00","description":"The Canyon Mouth Park Annual Pass is valid for unlimited visits for one year from the month of purchase. The pass admits the pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van/motorcycle), and is non-transferable. Pass must be signed to be valid, ID required with pass. Insert the pass into the fee machine to gain entrance and wait for the lift arm to open."}],"hours":[{"name":"Little River Canyon National Preserve","description":"The main park is open during daylight hours every day including holidays.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"Sunrise to Sunset","monday":"Sunrise to Sunset","thursday":"Sunrise to Sunset","sunday":"Sunrise to Sunset","tuesday":"Sunrise to Sunset","friday":"Sunrise to Sunset","saturday":"Sunrise to Sunset"},"exceptions":[]},{"name":"Canyon Mouth Park","description":"Summer Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (CST)\nFall/Spring Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (CST)\nWinter Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CST)","standardHours":{"wednesday":"8:00AM - 7:00PM","monday":"8:00AM - 7:00PM","thursday":"8:00AM - 7:00PM","sunday":"8:00AM - 7:00PM","tuesday":"8:00AM - 7:00PM","friday":"8:00AM - 7:00PM","saturday":"8:00AM - 7:00PM"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"Little River Canyon National Preserve follows along the Little River and covers approximately 40 miles from the northeast corner to the southwest corner. The easiest way to access the park is by Alabama Highway 35 about 10 miles east out of Fort Payne, Alabama. Interstate 59 is the closest interstate.","weatherInfo":"The weather in Fort Payne, Alabama is mild. The average temperature in the winter is in the 50's. The average summer temperature is in the high 80's with high humidity. We receive about 55 inches of rain each year. Snowfall varies, but only lasts a few days per event.","contacts":{"phone":"2568459605","email":"liri_information@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Jacksonville State University Little River Canyon Center","description":"The Jacksonville State University Little River Canyon Center is located adjacent to Little River Canyon National Preserve. National Park Service staff and Volunteers and Jacksonville State University staff will greet you and help you plan your visit. Amenities include: Information desk, restrooms, movie, gift shop, trails, and picnic tables. Hours are 10 AM - 4 PM Central Standard Time. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.","url":"http://www.jsu.edu/epic/canyoncenter/","lat":34.3989183002,"lon":-85.6339174002}],"campgrounds":[],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"sauta-cave-national-wildlife-refuge","km":52},{"slug":"russell-cave-national-monument","km":65},{"slug":"chickamauga-and-chattanooga-national-military-park","km":66},{"slug":"fern-cave-national-wildlife-refuge","km":69},{"slug":"mountain-longleaf-national-wildlife-refuge","km":80},{"slug":"paint-rock-river-national-wildlife-refuge","km":83}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=liri"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.618Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Danger","title":"SEASONAL SAFETY MESSAGE","text":"Be careful and safe while out in the canyon! Be cautious of your surroundings, don't cliff jump, don't stray off of the main trails, and don't get too close to Little River Falls or the canyon rim. These activities could result in injury or death.","url":null,"updated":"2023-03-23 14:16:55.0","id":"nps-7FAE4324-327C-49B7-BB6E-3006250312EC"},{"source":"NWS","kind":"Frost Advisory","severity":"Minor","title":"Frost Advisory issued November 8 at 10:11AM CST until November 9 at 8:00AM CST by NWS Huntsville AL","text":"* WHAT...Temperatures as low as 33 will result in frost formation.\n\n* WHERE...Portions of north central, northeast, and northwest\nAlabama.\n\n* WHEN...From 11 PM this evening to 8 AM CST Monday.\n\n* IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive\noutdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.","instruction":"Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.","url":"https://alerts.weather.gov/search?id=urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.9b8b710540847f12e2ec6793d336916110d7c343.001.1","starts":"2026-11-08T23:00:00-06:00","ends":"2026-11-09T08:00:00-06:00","id":"nws-urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.9b8b710540847f12e2ec6793d336916110d7c343.001.1"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/little-river-canyon-national-preserve/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/little-river-canyon-national-preserve.geojson"}