Little River Canyon National Preserve
Clifftop overlooks, waterfalls, sandstone canyon, forest, pools, and whitewater protect one of the Southeast’s most dramatic plateau-river landscapes.
Artwork inspired by John Kelly Fitzpatrick
Start with geology: Little River flows atop Lookout Mountain, then incises sandstone rather than simply draining a valley. Water level changes every experience—from summer swimming hazards to expert-only whitewater—and also shapes rare plants in spray and cliff communities.
Use the Jacksonville State University visitor center for orientation, then choose either the canyon drive or one trail. Cliff edges are largely unguarded, cell coverage is patchy, and jumps or swims can be fatal.
- Little River Falls
- River drops into canyon
- Canyon Rim Drive
- Overlooks connect by road
- Martha’s Falls hydrology
- Flow determines safe access
Quick guide
- Best first move
- Little River Falls: Clifftop overlooks, waterfalls, sandstone canyon, forest, pools, and whitewater protect one of the Southeast’s most dramatic plateau-river landscapes.
- Most revealing detail
- Canyon Rim Drive gives the clearest route into a river runs improbably along a mountain before cutting down.
Quick guide
- Start with
- Little River Falls — Clifftop overlooks, waterfalls, sandstone canyon, forest, pools, and whitewater protect one of the Southeast’s most dramatic plateau-river landscapes.
- Look closely at
- Canyon Rim Drive — Start with geology: Little River flows atop Lookout Mountain, then incises sandstone rather than simply draining a valley.
- Connect the story
- Martha’s Falls hydrology — Use the Jacksonville State University visitor center for orientation, then choose either the canyon drive or one trail.
- Plan around
- Allow 3–6 hours; plan around martha’s falls hydrology and current access conditions.
Good to know
Check water level and NPS alerts; a calm-looking pool can hide current, submerged rock, and no easy exit.
Notice these
- Little River Falls
- Canyon Rim Drive
- Martha’s Falls hydrology