Little River Canyon
General information
*NOTICE: The Little River Canyon Center, Canyon Mouth Park, and all park restrooms ARE TEMPORARILY CLOSED. Please review COVID-19 ADVISORY and follow all current CDC regulations as well as local/state mandates. Please stay home to prevent the spread of the virus.*
Land Manager: U.S. National Park Service
Area Rep: Paul Morley, paul.morley.scc@gmail.com
Little River Canyon, located just outside Fort Payne, Alabama, offers a diverse range of recreational opportunities, including swimming, fishing, climbing, and world-class whitewater paddling. Forested uplands, waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, pools, boulders, and sandstone cliffs offer settings for a variety of recreational activities, featuring some of the South’s more difficult, steep sandstone climbing routes.
Directions
What to Expect
Bring an extra set of forearms when visiting the Canyon! The sport climbing at Little River Canyon hosts a variety of difficult climbing routes, with few routes under 5.11, with some of the approaches adding another grade of difficulty. It is safe to say this crag may not be the best for beginner climbers. In addition to the amazing routes, the creek bed hosts a variety of boulders that are great for summertime bouldering sessions. Little River Canyon climbing includes classic areas like the Concave, Lizzard Wall (which tends to stay dry when everything else is soaked) and Unshackled Wall.
Access notes
All National Park Rules and Regulations apply when visiting Little River Canyon.
Climbers should ensure that vehicles are parked according to National Park parking regulations and designations. If parking at a pull-off on the road, be sure that all tires are out of the roadway, off of the rim road pavement.
Camping
No camping at Little River Canyon. Check out nearby DeSoto State Park or Little River RV park and campground.
Guidebook