Little River Canyon National Preserve Announces Construction at its Canyon Mouth Picnic Area

On January 12, 2009, Superintendent John Bundy announced that Little River Canyon National Preserve’s Canyon Mouth Picnic Area will be closed for improvements for approximately 90 days.

“We will be closing the area beginning this week and running through the middle of April,” Bundy said.

“We promised several years ago that we would be making some improvements to the area. We want this to be a place where our friends and neighbors will be glad to come and be proud of.”

The project includes re-paving most of the entrance road and parking area. It also includes some efforts to reduce the severity of flooding. The picnic area is so low that it is expected to continue to flood from time to time. In addition to paving, contractors for the National Park Service are going to place rocks upstream to divert a majority of the potential floodwaters away from the picnic area and keep them in the main portion of the river. Although not intended to prevent flooding, the diversion should reduce the energy of floodwaters in the picnic area and reduce the possibility of future damage.

For further information call 256/845-9605.

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Canyon Mouth Picnic Area is located off Highway 273 in Cedar Bluff, Alabama. Highway 273 is located between Highway 35 and Highway 68.

Turn off Highway 273 onto County Road 275, stay to the right, follow to the gate, stop at the fee booth. Pay the $3 user fee per vehicle, put the ticket stub on your dashboard and park your vehicle.

This is a day-use area. Summer hours are 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. The gate will be locked at closing and any remaining vehicles will be towed. Camping is not allowed in this area.

There is a $3 user fee per vehicle. Season passes are available for $10. The season pass allows the vehicle you register entry into the park for the entire summer season. National Park Passes are honored at this location.

Barbecue grills and picnic tables are plentiful. Most areas are shaded with easy access to the water.

Restrooms with running water are available here. A water fountain is located just outside the men's restroom.

The foot wash station is perfect for washing the sand off before heading home in your vehicle. It is located near the water fountain.

A pavilion is attached to the same building as the restrooms. There are no working electrical outlets. Six picnic tables are available. We do not reserve any picnic tables or the pavilion.

The trail is almost a mile long. This trail is a great place to walk off all the delicious picnic food you ate. You can access the water from most areas of the trail. The trail is narrow with a sand or dirt surface. There are hills but no major obstacles. The trail ends at Johnnie's Creek. The bridge to the other side has long since been washed away.

Snakes are sometimes found sunning on the rocks. Please leave them alone. All animals and plants are protected by the National Park Service. Anyone found harming or harassing wildlife, collecting plants, leaves, or rocks are subject to a fine.

Trash cans are available throughout the park. If the trash cans are full please take your trash with you. We work very hard to keep the park a clean and safe place to visit. We need your help to keep it that way.

This is a wonderful place to bring the family on a picnic near the water. Your pets are welcome as long as you keep them on a leash. Come spend the day with us and enjoy nature at its best.