Little River Canyon National Preserve follows along its canyon and river for nearly 20 miles in northeast Alabama. The preserve parallels I-59 on a northeast/southwest diagonal. Near the preserve's midpoint, Route 35 cuts across the Little River and makes easy access to Little River Falls. Here, the 45 foot drop signals the start of a 600 foot deep canyon. This relatively new preserve was added to the national parks system in 1992 and takes in 14,000 acres.
This morning, cool mist rises up out of the falls. The powerful river pours over the edge of the river bed, pounding the rocks below with a thunderous roar, while sunlight casts a colorful spectrum in the falls' spray-drift.