Little River Canyon National Preserve

RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Little River Canyon National Preserve

Many visitors prefer to use a motorcoach to stay overnight at Little River Canyon National Preserve. A motorcoach is the ideal RV to use when staying beside a small preserve like Little River Canyon National Preserve, where camping is prohibited. After parking their motorcoach in a nearby campground, most visitors use a towed vehicle as transport to the preserve’s trailheads and then return to a comfortable welcome in the evening hours. Motorcoaches are available to rent from RVshare.

Things To Do Near Little River Canyon National Preserve

The incredibly diverse topography of Little River Canyon National Preserve provides a fantastic array of activities for visitors to enjoy. Activities on the river include fishing, swimming, and whitewater rafting. Some of the rapids in this park reach category five and should only be attempted by expert whitewater rafters. The river has carved its way through the mountain, leaving plenty of opportunities for rock climbing, hiking, or even sitting back and watching the river flow. For ecologists, biologists, and naturalists, this preserve is a dream with many endangered plants occupying several different types of environments.

Hiking Trails

• Beaver Pond Trail

  One of the most leisurely hikes in Little River Canyon National Preserve is the Beaver Pond Trail. The walk is a loop on level ground to Beaver Pond that circles back to the trailhead. It travels through a series of ecosystems with incredible displays of color in the fall months.

  Location

  Marked trailhead on Little River Canyon Parkway, AL

  Length

  1.5 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Desoto Scout Trail

  The Desoto Scout Trail is a multipurpose path that accommodates hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. It is the longest and most arduous trail in the Little River Canyon National Preserve. The trail dashes along the river, up and down the valleys, and across streams. On the way, travelers see some of the most remarkable views they will witness in Alabama.

  Location

  Road 5 south terminus is marked on Dekalb County Road 295

  Length

  16 miles

  Intensity

  Intermediate to Difficult

Sightseeing

• Desoto State Park

  Desoto State Park is located next door to the Little River Canyon National Preserve. This park features tumbling waterfalls, deep grottos, and steep ridges. Taking in Desoto State Park is to experience the majesty of nature in an encapsulated form. Hiking, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, and boulder climbing are among visitors' favorite activities in this state park.

  Location

  7104 Desoto Parkway NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967

• Cherokee Rock Village

  Located just 27 miles south of Little River Canyon National Preserve, Cherokee Rock Village offers a new perspective on the region. A dry area of the state, this bit of history provides rock climbing and hiking opportunities to visitors. Here, you find rocks stacked in ancient times either by human effort or by forces of nature.

  Location

  2000 County Road 70, Leesburg, AL 35983

Museums

• Alabama Fan Club and Museum

  Fans of country music will love the Alabama Fan Club and Museum. The famous country music group Alabama spent many years in obscurity but stayed together to create a fantastic sound that thrilled fans. At this museum, learn the group's history, country music’s evolution, and how the music reflects American culture.

  Location

  101 Glenn Boulevard, SW, Fort Payne, AL 35967

• Fort Payne Depot Museum

  To get a greater understanding of the history around Little River Canyon National Preserve, visit the Fort Payne Depot Museum. The museum houses documents, writings, and artifacts relevant to the evolution of the area.

  Location

  105 5th Street NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Orbix Hot Glass

  Orbix Hot Glass offers a unique kind of shopping experience. Glass is blown here in many unique designs for many different purposes. Choose from various products, including everything from glass Christmas ornaments to elegant original sculptures.

  Location

  3869 County Road 275, Fort Payne, AL 35967

• Walmart Supercenter

  There is a Walmart Supercenter in Fort Payne. These stores carry all sorts of items, including medicines, groceries, apparel, camping gear, and sports gear.

  Location

  2001 Glenn Boulevard SW, Fort Payne, AL 35968

• Fontana’s Restaurant

  Take your family to Fontana’s Restaurant for a mix of cuisines. Try their fritter burger or spanakopita for something interesting that you will not find elsewhere.

  Location

  100 1st Street West, Fort Payne, AL 35967

• Roadside ‘Que

  You always find something unique when you visit the Roadside ‘Que. Their menu includes a mix of American dinners and barbeque specials. Try one of their various brisket meals that feature meat smoked over hickory for 15 hours to get an idea of what a Southern smoked meat meal should be.

  Location

  607 Gault Avenue, Suite A, Fort Payne, AL 35967

How To Get To Little River Canyon National Preserve

The nearest city to Little River Canyon National Preserve is Fort Payne, AL. To approach the preserve from Fort Payne city center, travel northeast of Gault Avenue toward 5th Street. Turn right onto 5th Street and drive for 0.4 miles. Turn left onto Alabama Highway 35 South (AL-35 S). Stay on AL-35 S for 7 miles where you will find the preserve entrance. 

Address

4322 Little River Trail NE, Suite 100, Fort Payne, AL 35967

Fee: Entry fee $0

Most Americans are surprised to find natural beauty like Little River Canyon National Preserve in Alabama. It is a pleasant area that deserves exploration. To see it all, take your trip in an RV to use as a home base while you explore the park. When you return to your RV, you will be happy you have a comfortable place after a day of exercise where you can relax and reflect on a life surrounded by nature.