Little River Canyon National Preserve is a wonderful place to take in a scenic drive in any season.
Scenic overlooks of beautiful canyon vistas, unusual rock formations, escape into the backcountry - the roads at Little River Canyon offer visitors all this and more.
Most paved roads in the park are narrow and curvy with steep hills. When driving through the park you do need to be careful and alert.
Unpaved numbered roads in the Wildlife Management Area (backcrountry) are best utilyzed by 4-wheel drive vehicles driven by experienced drivers. The conditions on these roads can easily change during a single storm, making previously passable roads slick and unpassable, with large, deep, muddy holes capable of trapping most vehicles. Vehicles can become easily stuck - towing is time-consuming and at owner's expense.
Keep these tips in mind when enjoying the roads in the park.
Safety Tips:
- Be aware of your surroundings. Wildlife is very common in this park - deer and turkey can appear out of the thick woods with little notice.
- Most roads in the park are narrow with blind turns and hills. Be sure to drive at a safe speed and always stay on your side of the road. Large branches or entire trees often fall into the road during storms - take turns especially slow and watch for objects in the road.
- Bicyclists are common on the Little River Canyon Rim Parkway - be patient and courteous and only pass when safe to do so.
- Numbered roads in the backcountry are shared by hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and motor vehicles - be cautious and courteous and share the roads.
- Watch for vehicles straying over the center line.
- Be especially careful when drivingon wet, snowy, or icy roads - maintain safe speeds for the conditions.
- Bridges may be icy even when other parts of the roads are clear.
- Always wear your seatbelt.
- Keep your headlights on in inclement weather.
- Always obey the posted speed limit.
