At Little River Falls, the water plunges 45 feet. An ADA-accessible walkway leads to a viewpoint close to the falls.
Waterfalls and Mountain Ridges
DeSoto State Park is located on Lookout Mountain and features numerous rushing waterfalls. Buck’s Pocket State Park offers a different focus: it stretches across Sand Mountain through DeKalb, Jackson and Marshall counties and offers more than 15 miles of hiking trails. Point Rock is 800 feet above the park’s main campground.
High Falls Park is also in DeKalb County. Its main attraction is the 35-foot waterfall on Town Creek. The height figures for Little River Falls and High Falls offer a concrete comparison without reducing their distinct landscapes to a single attraction.
Trails and River Landscapes
Little River Canyon National Preserve is in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The Little River flows mostly along Lookout Mountain there, and more than 26 miles of hiking trails offer another way to explore this landscape. The DeSoto Scout Trail connects the preserve and DeSoto State Park and passes through the backcountry Wildlife Management Area.
Kayaking is possible on various sections of the river in winter and spring. The conditions described range from Class III sections to Class IV, V and VI rapids.
The Little Falls Trail is 0.75 miles long and descends to the river via 137 stone steps. An easy walking path connects the Jacksonville State University Little River Canyon Center with Little River Falls; along the way, it crosses the river via the pedestrian walkway on the Highway 35 bridge.
Theater History and Discoveries in Fort Payne
Two late-19th-century buildings in Fort Payne represent different aspects of the town’s history. Built in 1889, the Fort Payne Opera House is Alabama’s oldest theater in a building originally constructed as a theater. The venue still regularly hosts theatrical performances. The Fort Payne Depot Museum is housed in a pink sandstone depot built in 1891 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. Together, the dates tell the story of the buildings’ construction, while the ongoing performances also give the Opera House a lively role as a theater.
Other cultural attractions offer different experiences. The Alabama Band Fan Club & Museum in Fort Payne showcases the history, awards and youth collections of the country music group Alabama. At Orbix Hot Glass, you can view and buy glasswork in the gallery, watch demonstrations or take glassblowing classes. Projects made in the classes may include ornaments, bowls, drinking vessels and paperweights. The offerings thus range from exploring the history of a music group to engaging with glass and its design.
Market and Practical Information
The Fort Payne Main Street Farmers Market operates seasonally. Depending on the vendor and the season, it offers farm-raised beef and pork, baked goods, flowers, art and music. Availability varies, so the market brings together a range of products and cultural elements without its selection necessarily being the same at all times.
Here’s a useful tip for getting to DeSoto State Park or DeSoto Falls: GPS directions there can be very unreliable. When planning your route, bear this in mind rather than relying solely on GPS directions. This practical travel advice complements exploring the waterfalls, trails and culture without distracting from the places themselves.
Discover more destinations: Fort Payne, Rainsville, Tallapoosa County, Blount County, Barbour County, Cullman County, Morgan County, Chambers.
For the broader travel overview: Alabama.
