Eberhart Trail

The deepest canyon east of the Mississippi can be found at Little River National Preserve. Formed by the action of the Little River, the canyon is spectacular, to say the least. You will find it hard to keep your eyes on the road as you drive down the canyon rim to the trailhead – but PLEASE DO! There are plenty of overlooks on the way where you can stop and look at such sites as the graceful pencil-thin Grace's High Falls, and watch rock climbers do their thing at Crow Point or Mushroom Rock. (Refer to the "Little River Canyon Scenic Drive" section.)

The Eberhart Trail is the best way to the bottom of the canyon, but it is not for those who are not in good physical condition. While the trip to the bottom of the canyon is easy on a wide, sod-lined path, keep in mind that in this case what goes down must come up, and the hike back up to the canyon rim is very strenuous.

On the way down (or up) there are benches where you can sit and take a breather. While the views along the path are obscured with thick rhododendron, about halfway down the slope at one of these benches there is a rock outcropping that's worth taking a short walk to. The view is magnificent! But be cautious of your footing! And do not attempt to bushwhack off the trail anywhere else along the route or you might find yourself at the bottom quicker than you anticipated!

Once at the bottom, the landscape surrounds you – literally – with canyon walls rising high on each side and the blue waters of the Little River churning next to you.

Here at the bottom you can follow the river bank either north or south as far as you like but be careful. It is very rocky and easy to turn an ankle, and you must be out of the canyon before sunset. If you head to the north about .25 miles you will come to Bear Creek as it flows into the river. Just up Bear Creek is Grace's High Falls.

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Trail Type:: 1.8-mile (total) out-and-back
Difficulty:: Strenuous
Hours:: Open year-round – sunrise to sunset.
Maps:: Brochures with maps available through the Preserve office and on the Web
Fees:: No fees to hike.