March 27, 2026
Location: Little River Canyon National Preserve
Park Website: https://www.nps.gov/liri/index.htm
Canyon Center (JSU): https://www.jsu.edu/epic/canyoncenter/
Quick Trail Info
Trails: Path to Learning Trail, Bridge Trail
Distance: Total of 1.25 miles
Difficulty: Easy, but includes steep steps down to the river/top of the waterfall
Trail Surface: Mix of natural rocky surface and paved.
Highlights: The Jacksonville State University Canyon Center is pet-friendly and has a classroom with critters to meet and fossils to explore. Check out their website for educational programs and events.
Restrooms: Yes — available at the Canyon Center and Little River Falls parking lot
Parking: Available at the Canyon Center. Additional parking is available at the falls and at overlooks along Little River Canyon Rim Parkway.
Third Time’s A Charm
We’ve been to Little River Canyon twice before bringing Juniper, but we had no idea how many programs are offered through JSU. This third trip ended up being so much fun, and we’re already hoping to attend more events in the future.
We started our day at the Little River Falls parking lot, where we met up with friends. To pass the time before the Canyon Center opened, we walked the boardwalk to the overlook. Once 10 a.m. hit, we headed over to the Canyon Center.
The Canyon Center is pet-friendly, so Juniper was able to go inside with us. They were hosting a scavenger hunt that day for the kids, so we grabbed our first clue along with a Junior Ranger booklet for the kids and a Bark Ranger checklist for Juniper.
The scavenger hunt took us along the Path to Learning Trail—an easy 0.5-mile loop with several educational stations and a log cabin. We did spot a friend of the slithering variety near the cabin—a good reminder to stay aware of snakes as the weather warms up.
Once we completed the scavenger hunt, we returned to the ranger desk to collect our stickers and Juniper’s Bark Ranger badge. We didn’t finish the Junior Ranger booklet this trip, but we’ll definitely be back.
The rangers introduced us to one of the biologists at the Canyon Center, who showed us the classroom housing several snakes, lizards, frogs, and even a scorpion. There were also fossils to look at and plenty of fun facts about Alabama’s geological history.
After exploring the classroom, we took the Bridge Trail back to the Little River Falls parking lot. Remember the boardwalk from earlier? If you follow the tree line toward the road, there’s a path that leads to steep stone stairs down to the water. While the stairs are a bit of a workout, we were still able to manage them with a dog and kids in tow—just take your time.
The water was cold, and the rocks were very slippery, but Juniper was a happy girl and loved splashing around. Keep in mind that the rocks can create sudden drop-offs and hidden underwater obstacles, so use caution.
We enjoyed the water for about an hour before heading home in time for school pickup.
On previous visits, we’ve explored the many overlooks along Little River Canyon Rim Parkway. One standout stop is Mushroom Rock—a unique formation you’ll pass along the drive. There isn’t a designated parking area, but a few cars can fit along the roadside. Be mindful of traffic, as it sits along a curve.
If you’re looking for longer, more challenging trails, DeSoto State Park is close by. We haven’t explored it yet, but it’s definitely on our list for a future visit.
Before you leave, be sure to stop by the Canyon Center gift shop and collect your cancellation stamps for your National Parks and Junior Ranger passports.
Remember to Follow BARK Ranger Principles
B – Bag your poop and dispose of it properly
A – Always keep your dog on a leash
R – Respect wildlife
K – Know where you can go
Have you explored Little River Canyon or joined a Ranger-led program before?
Let me know your favorite spots—or add DeSoto State Park to your list and tell me what we should check out first!