Mentone, AL
By November, most fall foliage guides have moved on. That’s when Alabama is just getting started. Mentone is a tiny mountain town on Lookout Mountain, with a population of 451, and it’s less than two hours from Birmingham, Atlanta, and Chattanooga. Peak color here historically runs from the third week of October into early November, so you get one more round of red and gold after everyone else has packed up. Add a 104-foot waterfall, a canyon, and a free fall festival, and you have a full weekend.
3-Day Itinerary
Friday — Settle in on the mountain
Start at DeSoto Falls. It’s Alabama’s tallest waterfall at 104 feet, and it’s a short drive from the park’s central area off the Lookout Mountain Parkway.
Visit the Sally Howard Chapel, a tiny church built around a large boulder, with a pulpit made of stones from the Little River. Kids love finding the rock inside.
Saturday — Canyon Fest
Go to Canyon Fest. The 15th annual Canyon Fest is Saturday, Nov 7, 10 AM–3 PM at the Little River Canyon Center, with free admission. Expect local art, crafts, live animal shows, music, food, and fun for the whole family. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Then drive the rim. Little River Canyon National Preserve has an 11-mile scenic drive with a series of overlooks, which is the easiest way to see peak color without a long hike. Use the boardwalk near the State Route 35 bridge to reach Little River Falls.
Give the kids a fact to repeat. The Little River is one of the only rivers in the world that forms and flows nearly its whole length on top of a mountain.
Sunday — One last walk
Take a slow stroll on the Talmadge Butler Boardwalk Trail at DeSoto State Park, which is surrounded by fall leaves. It’s flat, easy, and a good last memory before the drive home.
Know before you go
Color depends on the weather. The first week of November is historically the safest bet, but check Alabama’s fall color reports the week before you go.
Canyon Fest and the state park are both free.
Mountain mornings are chilly, so pack layers.
Your Weekend Passport Planner,
- Josh
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