All parks › Little River Canyon National Preserve
Little River Canyon National Preserve: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
- Private vehicle entrance
- $15[1]
- Busiest month (2025)
- July[2]
- Recreation visits, 2025
- 781,518[3]
- Visitor centers
- 1[4]
Little River Canyon National Preserve is a National Park System unit in Alabama[5]. NPS lists a private vehicle entrance fee of $15 for Canyon Mouth Park[1].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[8].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[9] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[9] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[9] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[9] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[9] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[9] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS says the main park stays open in daylight every day, holidays included[10]. Canyon Mouth Park lists summer hours from 8:00 AM until 7:00 PM, fall and spring hours until 6:00 PM, and winter hours until 5:00 PM, all in Central time[11]. NPS describes the weather in Fort Payne as mild, with winter averages in the 50's and summer averages in the high 80's and humid air[12]. In 2025 the busiest month was July with 101,725 recreation visits, and the quietest was January with 40,460[2]. Hours can change, so check the official park page before you go[11].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 40,460 |
| February | 46,183 |
| March | 70,334 |
| April | 71,466 |
| May | 73,116 |
| June | 91,481 |
| July | 101,725 |
| August | 60,800 |
| September | 49,810 |
| October | 58,032 |
| November | 66,707 |
| December | 51,404 |
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS pet rule, pets must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet where they are allowed[13]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches, with service animals excepted[13]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so confirm local rules with the park[13].
Before you go
- NPS lists the Private Vehicle fee as $15 and the Motorcycle fee as $15[1][6].
- NPS notes say to insert cash only into the fee machine and to place the receipt on the dashboard[1].
- The Annual Entrance - Park pass is listed at $35[7].
- The preserve accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[8]. The Resident Annual Pass is listed at $80[9].
- Fees and hours change, so confirm on the official NPS page before your trip[11].
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee at Little River Canyon?
- NPS lists the Private Vehicle fee at $15 and the Motorcycle fee at $15[1][6].
- Does Little River Canyon accept the America the Beautiful pass?
- Yes, NPS says the preserve accepts it for entrance[8]. NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80[9].
- What are the hours at Canyon Mouth Park?
- Summer hours run from 8:00 AM until 7:00 PM, and winter hours end at 5:00 PM[11].
- When is the busiest month?
- In 2025 the busiest month was July with 101,725 recreation visits[2].
Facts and sources
- Entrance fee, Private Vehicle: $15. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 862,606, 2022: 726,239, 2023: 700,638, 2024: 763,209, 2025: 781,518. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Jacksonville State University Little River Canyon Center). National Park Service
- Little River Canyon National Preserve is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Preserve) in Alabama. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Motorcycle: $15. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $35. National Park Service
- Little River Canyon National Preserve accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- Operating hours, Little River Canyon National Preserve: The main park is open during daylight hours every day including holidays. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Canyon Mouth Park: Summer Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (CST) Fall/Spring Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (CST) Winter Hours - Open Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CST) National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Little River Canyon National Preserve. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15