Little River Canyon Rim Parkway facts for kids
The Little River Canyon Rim Parkway, also known as Alabama State Route 176, is a beautiful 22-mile drive in northeastern Alabama. It follows the edge of the amazing Little River Canyon National Preserve. This scenic road lets you see stunning views of the canyon, which is about 16 miles long. The parkway was first created in 1972.
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Exploring Little River Canyon Rim Parkway
The Little River Canyon Rim Parkway is one of Alabama's most beautiful attractions. It offers many chances to see incredible nature. The road itself is well-kept in the parts managed by the state. Some older parts of the road, now managed by local counties, are not as smooth. These sections can be narrower and have some bumps.
Driving Through the Canyon
The parkway has some exciting parts. You will find steep hills where the road goes down towards the canyon floor. Even the state-maintained parts have sharp turns. Sometimes, the road is very close to the edge of the canyon. This makes for a thrilling drive with amazing views. In 2004, the state part of the parkway received a new, smoother asphalt surface.
What You Can See Along the Way
The parkway is full of natural wonders. It crosses many small streams that flow into the canyon, especially after it rains. There are also many special lookout points where you can stop and enjoy the view. You can see smaller canyons like Bear Creek and Johnnies Creek. The parkway also offers a view of Grace's High Falls, which is the tallest waterfall in Alabama.
Past Attractions and Points of Interest
About halfway along the parkway, at a spot called Eberhardt Point, you can see where an old amusement park used to be. This park was called Canyonland Amusement Park. It had a chairlift that took people down into the canyon. Most of the park is gone now. It is believed that this amusement park was a big reason why the parkway was built in the first place.
Another interesting spot is Canyon Mouth Park. This is where the Little River leaves the canyon. It flows into Lake Weiss shortly after. It is a great place to see the river's journey.
