Bear Creek

U.S. Hwy. 43
Hackleburg, AL 35564

Bear is a superb creek that tumbles into Little River Canyon just yards upstream from the Chairlift put-in. If you have advanced whitewater skills and like class IV low-volume creeks, this is a must-do. It is only boatable a few times a year during winter and spring and will drop out in a day except after exceptionally big rains. Like many Alabama whitewater trips, Bear has distinct rapids and pools rather than continuous action. Rapids are too numerous to describe in detail, though it is a good idea to watch out for a hole about the halfway point. It has been marked in the past by a small rock cairn. It is guarded on both sides by rocks, so if you get stuck, you may have trouble getting out. All rapids can be boat or bank scouted with relative ease. Take out at the Chairlift put-in, or better yet, paddle high water levels to Canyon Mouth Park at the bottom of Little River.