From peaks to creeks: Explore mentone and fort payne's diverse outdoor adventures!

LIttle River Falls Preserve

The Mentone and Fort Payne area, nestled atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama, is a haven for outdoor and adventure enthusiasts. With two major natural attractions, DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon National Preserve, along with other unique spots, there's a wide array of activities to enjoy.

Here's a breakdown of the outdoor and adventure offerings:

1. Hiking and Backpacking:

• DeSoto State Park: This park boasts over 35 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy strolls to more challenging treks.

  • Talmadge Butler Boardwalk Trail: An ADA-accessible boardwalk trail offering views of Azalea Cascades.

  • DeSoto Scout Trail (DST): A historic and more challenging trail that winds through the state park and into Little River Canyon National Preserve. Sections may be overgrown in places.

  • White Trail, Blue Trail, Orange Trail, Aqua Trail, Silver Trail: Various trails offering different lengths, elevation changes, and views of rock formations, ravines, and streams.

  • Waterfalls: Many trails lead to or pass by smaller waterfalls within the park, in addition to the prominent DeSoto Falls.

• Little River Canyon National Preserve: Offers numerous hiking opportunities with stunning canyon views. (Also dog friendly!)

  • Trails like the Canyon Mouth Trail, Powell Trail, Bridge Trail, and Little Falls Trail.

  • The backcountry area of the preserve also has roads suitable for hiking.

    
    

    

2. Waterfalls and Scenic Views:

• DeSoto Falls: Located within DeSoto State Park (about 7 miles north of the main park entrance near Mentone), this is one of Alabama's tallest and most visited waterfalls, cascading over 100 feet into a gorge. An ADA-accessible paved path leads to an overlook of the main falls, and a historic dam and upper falls are also accessible.

• Little River Canyon National Preserve: The preserve itself is defined by the Little River, which flows atop Lookout Mountain for most of its length before plunging into the canyon.

  • Little River Falls: The main waterfall at the beginning of the canyon.

  • Graces High Falls: One of the tallest waterfalls in Alabama, visible from an overlook along the Little River Canyon Rim Parkway (best viewed after significant rain).

  • Numerous other seasonal waterfalls and cascades can be found throughout the canyon, especially after rainfall.

  • Scenic Drives: The 11-mile Little River Canyon Rim Parkway (Highway 176) offers several overlooks with breathtaking views of the canyon, rock walls, and the river below. Popular overlooks include Lynn Overlook, Hawk's Glide, Canyon View, Wolf

    Creek, and Crow Point.

    
    

    

    
    

3. Rock Climbing and Rappelling:

• Little River Canyon National Preserve: This area is a popular destination for rock climbing and bouldering, with challenging routes on the sandstone cliffs. The Citadel Boulders, with over 150 unique boulder problems, are a notable spot.

• True Adventure Sports: This outfitter provides guided rock climbing and rappelling adventures in the Little River Canyon area, suitable for all experience levels.

  
  

4. Caving:

• Manitou Cave of Alabama (Fort Payne): A historic cave with a rich past, including use by the Cherokee, saltpeter mining during the Civil War, and a former ballroom. Guided tours offer a glimpse into its geological formations, unique ecosystem (home to a rare snail), and historical significance (including Cherokee syllabary inscriptions). Visitors need to bring flashlights and wear appropriate footwear as the paths are natural and not ADA accessible.

• Cathedral Caverns State Park (near Grant, a short drive from Fort Payne): While not directly in the Mentone/Fort Payne area, Cathedral Caverns is a popular commercial show cave worth considering. It boasts a massive entrance, impressive formations like "Goliath" (a giant stalagmite), and a consistent 60-degree temperature year-round.

  
  

  

  Cathedral Caverns State Park

  
  

5. Mountain Biking:

• DeSoto State Park: Offers over 11 miles of mountain biking trails in addition to its hiking trails.

  
  

6. Water Activities:

• Kayaking and Canoeing: The Little River in Little River Canyon National Preserve offers opportunities for kayaking and canoeing, particularly during winter and spring when water levels are higher.

• Swimming:

  • DeSoto State Park: Features an Olympic-size swimming pool (seasonal).

  • Little River Canyon National Preserve: Blue Hole is a family-friendly swimming hole in a calm area of the Little River, near Little River Falls. Canyon Mouth Park also offers river access for swimming.

    
    

7. Other Activities:

• Ziplining: DeSoto State Park offers zipline aerial adventures. Screaming Eagle Zipline.

• Fishing: Available in various bodies of water within the state park and national preserve.  Dekalb County Lake is a 120 acre lake in Sylvania, Alabama

• Golf:  Lil’ Mole Run Golf Course in Mentone, 18 or 9 holes. 

• Skiing (seasonal): Cloudmont Ski Resort offers two beginner-intermediate slopes with snowmaking capabilities during winter cold snaps.

• Nature Programs: DeSoto State Park often has interpretive programs, guided hikes, and events at its Benefield Interpretive Center.

• Photography: The area's stunning natural beauty, especially its waterfalls and canyon vistas, makes it a prime location for outdoor photography.

• Hang Gliding:  Lookout Mountain Flight Park in Rising Fawn, Ga.  Just a short trip to experience the thrill of hang gliding or just watch hang gliders fly off the “runway”.

  
  

  

  Screaming Eagle Arial Adventures

  
  

So, as you gear up for an unforgettable outdoor adventure in Mentone and Fort Payne, always remember to consult the official websites for DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon National Preserve. They're your ultimate guide to current conditions, trail closures, operating hours, and all the essential regulations. Be prepared for an epic experience!