Little River Canyon near Fort Payne, AL

Some of the many amazing features about Alabama are the geographic landscapes from the Appalachian Mountain foothills to the Tennessee Valley to the plains to the Gulf Coast. The abundance of rivers and streams have been important to Alabama's development since it was first created. The magnificent wilderness that still remains in sections of Alabama have interesting stories of their own to tell.

Little River Canyon near Fort Payne in the northeast corner of Alabama is one of these regions of beauty, mystique and nature that draws people to visit the region and remains in the heart of those who were raised there. Little River Canyon is more than just a geographical wonder. It is a cultural area that has inspired and influenced the people of Alabama. Its importance was preserved by the Federal Government as a part of the National Park Service in October 1992.

This beautiful canyon is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Little River is often referred to as the "nation's longest mountaintop river". The preserve covers more than 14,000 acres and has several awesome waterfalls that pour off the 600 ft. bluffs rising above the river. Great place to experience the wilderness of Alabama. Lots of things to do in Fort Payne area.

According to the National Park Service, "The Little River Canyon area together with the whole of Lookout Mountain (Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia) has long been recognized as an area with important natural and cultural resources. Together Little River and the Little River Canyon area form one of the extraordinary natural features of Alabama. Little River flows unimpeded through five minor impoundments."

The proximity of Little River Canyon to Chattanooga made it center stage in two different battles of the US Civil War. Streight's Raid through Cherokee County is considered by local historians to be one of the most dramatic episodes of the Civil War. In April 1863, Union Colonel Streight was moving troops toward the northeast corner of Alabama. "Citizen Soldier" John Wisdom rode from Gadsden to Rome to warn the town of the impending Union raid. Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest moved 600 troops toward the area to stop the Union troops. On May 3, 1863, Forrest clashed with Streight near Cedar Bluff, AL. Forrest and his Confederate troops were able to force the surrender of Streight and 1600 Union troops thanks to the actions of John Wisdom. A 67-mile historical nature trail commerates the path that Wisdom took to warn Forrest of the Union raids.

Union General Rosencran used the Little River Canyon area to transport troops to Chickamauga to cut the Southern supply lines and prevent Confederate General Braxton Braggs' unit from receiving aide from Atlanta. After the burning of Atlanta, Union General Sherman clashed with Confederate General Hood near Little River. Sherman moved over 60,000 troops into the Gaylesville area in Late October 1864. It was here that Sherman made his final plans for his "March to the Sea" ending in Savannah, Georgia.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the railroad added to the region with what be called the "Pigeon Forge Route". In 1890 Colonel Woolsey Finnell, in charge of a surveying party laying out the railroad through Shinbone Valley, visited the Little River Canyon and remarked,

"Why go to Colorado to see the Royal Gorge...Little River Gorge is much longer, more rugged and almost as deep as the Royal Gorge. It is far more scenic."

The railroad was eventually purchased by Southern Railway and much of the tracks in the area were abandoned. The railroad ran for nearly 100 years.

In the 1930s, DeSoto State Park was created on Little River in DeKalb County. The park was later expanded to cover the Little River Canyon area. The park was expanded primarily due to an agreement between the State of Alabama and the Alabama Power Company who had title to many acres of land on Little River. The area was described and remains as "a natural resource for nature lovers".

Little River Canyon has many adventures waiting for those who accept the challenge to explore its beauty. A paved road circles much of the canyon and provides numerous overlooks for visitors to just savor the view or to take a picture and capture a moment of beauty in time. Horseback riding, nature trails, rock climbing (warning: most areas require experienced climbers due to dangerous conditions), camp grounds and playing in DeSoto Lake are all fun activities for visitors and families.

For more information, visit the National Park Service site at http://www.nps.gov/liri/index.htm