by James Richardson

DeSoto Park adjoins the Little River Canyon Natural Preserve, which is maintained by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Within the preserve, the Canyon Rim Drive (Alabama State Route 176) follows the Little River Canyon for twenty-eight miles along the west rim. Overlooks into the canyon offer visitors glimpses of the exciting whitewater below. The Little River Falls mark the beginning of the canyon and, from the first two overlooks, the views of the falls are impressive. The first overlook is actually beside the falls on the east rim. Alabama State Route 35 leads visitors from Fort Payne. The Canyon Rim Drive (AL 176) is off AL 35 just before crossing the Little River. The first overlook to the waterfall is across the river off AL 35. There is a parking area with a brief walk to the overlook.

The western part of the state also has its braggable natural features -- rock canyons, natural arches, and lush forests. The Dismals Canyon is definitely not dismal. The Natural Bridge is definitely natural.

Dismals Canyon is located just off US Highway 43 on Franklin County Road 8. Near the town of Phil Campbell and south of Russellville, four miles south of the intersection of State Highway 13 and US 43, there is an eastward turnoff onto Franklin County Road 8. Go one mile to the entrance to Dismals Canyon.

It is believed that the dark, misty canyon got its dreary name from Scotch-Irish settlers. Known for its colorful history of secret Indian rituals and as a hideout for outlaws, Dismals Canyon was also the holding ground for some of the Cherokee and Chickasaw Indians prior to the Trail of Tears. Within the area's boundaries is one of the oldest stands of forest east of the Mississippi River. Waterfalls, rock formations, cliffs and natural bridges are also features in Dismals Canyon. Night tours are conducted during the summer to see the glow-in-the-dark worms known as "Dismalites," which are seen on moss-covered boulders in the canyon. This is the only known location in the United States to see these night creatures. Other known locations are China and New Zealand.

Just east of the William B. Bankhead National Forest is Natural Bridge, the town and its accompanying 148 foot long, sixty-foot high, and eight foot thick sandstone "natural bridge." Within a forested setting, hiking trails lead under and around the impressive formations. The Natural Bridge of Alabama is located on US Highway 278 in Marion County.

The Tennessee River dips down into Alabama long enough to offer opportunities for water recreation and, with the help of the Tennessee Valley Authority (which built hydroelectric dams at three locations along the river) there are large lakes for even more occasions for water enjoyment. Dams along the Tennessee River form Pickwick, Wilson, Wheeler, and Guntersville Lakes.

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