In this blog post, we will visit the Little River Canyon in Gaylesville, Alabama.
At the outset, the trees sporting colourful fall season leaves attracted my eyes.
In addition, the cute waterfall adds to the charm of the place. It must certainly rank high in the list of places to see in the state of Alabama, United States.
Because of the presence of thick woods and several waterfalls surrounding the canyon, the Little River Canyon is a protected natural beauty under National Preserve.
I am crazy about seeing waterfalls, especially those that are hidden from highways and main roads.
When I searched for how many number of waterfalls that you can see when you visit the Little River Canyon, I saw that only three waterfalls have names in spite several more cascades, and streams. They are unnamed.
Best things to Know about Little River Canyon
Let us get to know more about Canyon first.
It is really a spectacular landform in Alabama.
The mountain, out of which the canyon was formed due to relentless erosion by the Little River, is known as Lookout Mountain.
If you stand on top of the flat top of the canyon and look down, you might feel dizziness because the depth is 600 feet!
It is proudly called by the people Alabama as “the Grand Canyon of the East”.
The canyon’s length is approximately 30 km, making it quite a lengthy canyon south of the Mississippi River.
How to reach the Little River Canyon?
Assuming your mode of transport is a car and your hotel is in Montgomery, the capital city of Alabama start, you will have to cover nearly 300 km north to reach the Little River Canyon National Preserve.
What to see in Little River Canyon?
This beautiful bird Yellow Hammer comes to my mind first as one of the attractions in Little River Canyon National Preserve.
Alternatively called, “Northern Flicker”, it is the state bird of Alabama. This bird is a species of woodpecker. The bird appears aristocratic to me. I think it is conscious of its beauty.
Little River Waterfalls
Unfortunately, from the photograph of this impressive waterfalls flowing down the walls of the canyon, one can’t gauge its height.
The water falls from a height of 135 feet, emanating a roar.
Hiking the Canyon
A canyon offers natural hiking trails. Apart from the earmarked trails, no one can stop you from finding a new trail if you are adventurous.
The trails offer super views of the various corners and bluffs of the Little River Canyon.
In addition, if you stay alert, movements in the trees and bushes reveal striking birds. If you identify a creek (many creeks are in the vicinity), you can be sure of spotting raptors, and other birds.
Rafting
The Little River in spite of its name, swells during the rain or immediately after the rains. Rafting veterans recognize the required ‘rapids’ for river rafting.
Kayaking
If an inflatable surges along with furious rapids, you can be sure of seeing smoothly flowing water in between. It is best to go kayaking wherever you see lazy river flow.
Grace’s High Falls.
From the top to bottom of the canyon floor, the fall of water is measured at 133 feet! That makes it another spectacular sight to see in the National Preserve.
Desoto Falls
It looks like an irrigation pump, ejecting water from a crevice in the Lookout Mountain.
Again, the photograph did not justify the height from which (105 feet) the water begins to fall down.
The waterfall is part of Desoto State Park comprising a staggering 3500 acres. There are more small waterfalls, mountains to hike, and a lovely wood to stroll through, inside the park area.
Places To Stay Near Little River Canyon
There is not much but for a lodge. However, you can choose to stay in campgrounds.
Alternatively, you can stay in small lodges with restaurants in Fort Payne, a city that is 7 km away from the canyon base.
One can also find accommodation in vacation rentals.
I wonder the campgrounds have space for parking Motorhomes.
