Little River Canyon National Preserve — Live Alerts, Weather & Trip Planning
Located in AL.
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…
Use this page to check live NPS alerts, weather, things to do, events, fees, campgrounds, and build a day-by-day itinerary with Trailie.
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.
Weather Information
The weather in Fort Payne, Alabama is mild. The average temperature
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.
Entrance Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$15.00
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.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$15.00
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.
Operating Hours
The main park is open during daylight hours every day including holidays.
MondaySunrise to Sunset
TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
WednesdaySunrise to Sunset
ThursdaySunrise to Sunset
FridaySunrise to Sunset
SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
SundaySunrise to Sunset
Canyon Mouth Park
Summer Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (CST)
Fall/Spring Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (CST)
Winter Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CST)
Monday8:00AM - 7:00PM
Tuesday8:00AM - 7:00PM
Wednesday8:00AM - 7:00PM
Thursday8:00AM - 7:00PM
Friday8:00AM - 7:00PM
Saturday8:00AM - 7:00PM
Sunday8:00AM - 7:00PM
Entrance Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$35.00
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.
Common questions
Planning Little River Canyon National Preserve
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 1 reservation type on the Permits tab, including Lower Deschutes River Boater Pass. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.