Photo: Jsfouche · CC BY-SA 3.0Little River Falls
Worth a detour
Is it plungeworthy?
A waterfall on Little River.
The details
- Watercourse
- Little River
- Coordinates
- 34.39518, -85.62719
About Little River Falls
Little River Falls is a 45-foot waterfall in Alabama, on Little River.
It's fullest after rain, and flow can drop off during dry spells — plan around recent weather.
Plungeworthy rates Little River Falls 6.8/10 — worth a detour. The score weighs its scale, how confidently it's mapped, and its character.
What you'll find
The 45-foot falls at the head of Little River Canyon National Preserve — dropped by a river that does something almost no major waterfall river does: it runs along the top of Lookout Mountain instead of at its base, carving the canyon as it goes.
An ADA-accessible boardwalk from the paved lot on the west side of the Highway 35 bridge reaches a close overlook. For the river itself, the Little Falls Trail descends 137 stone steps from the same area.
The wide sandstone plunge pool below is the postcard — and a swift-water hazard when the river is up.
Getting there
- Trailhead
- West side of the AL-35 bridge, near Fort Payne
- Parking
- Paved lot at the falls overlook
- Road
- Paved AL-35
- Hike
- 0.75 mi round trip, 130 ft of climb (easy)
- Heads up
- The boardwalk overlook has no stairs; the 137 stone steps of the Little Falls Trail are the only way down to the river.
When to go
Winter and spring rain turn it into a torrent; summer and fall run low and mellow with swimmers in the pool.
Right off the highway with year-round access, so the overlook always has company.
Rules & fees
- Fee / pass
- Free — the preserve's $15/vehicle fee applies only to the separate Canyon Mouth Park day-use area
- Dogs
- Allowed throughout the preserve on a 6-foot leash, including in the water
- Camping
- None at the falls overlook
- Warnings
- Current above the lip is dangerous at high water — stay behind the railings.
Researched from Wikipedia — Little River Falls · NPS — Little River Canyon hiking · NPS — Little River Canyon pets. Conditions change — verify before you drive. Been to Little River Falls recently? Post a conditions report below.
Where it is
Before you go
The pin marks the feature, not a trailhead or a legal route in. Some sit on private land or need a real hike, and conditions change with season and rain. Check local access, don't trespass, and never enter water — hot or cold — where it isn't safe.
Common questions
How tall is Little River Falls?
Little River Falls drops about 45 feet, in Alabama.
Where is Little River Falls?
Little River Falls is a waterfall in Alabama, at 34.39518, -85.62719.
Is Little River Falls worth visiting?
Worth a detour — Plungeworthy rates it 6.8/10.
Gear for the trip
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