Lookout Mountain Parkway

Lookout Mountain Parkway stretches 93 miles through 3 states with scenic views & lots to do!

The short drive holds so much beauty, so many natural scenic treasures, and so many wonderful things to see and do that you will find it takes at least 3 days to see and do it all.

Plan your journey to the many interesting features of the Lookout Mountain Parkway. Call us today and let us assist you in making travel plans to come experience scenic Lookout Mountain Parkway in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. For more information contact us.

Lookout Mountain Parkway - DeKalb County, Alabama

Lookout Mountain Parkway in Fort Payne, AL
Photo by James Anderson & Patty Tucker

Lookout Mountain Parkway – DeKalb County, Alabama

The Lookout Mountain Parkway spans three states as it stretches across Lookout Mountain from Gadsden, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Within the parkway’s 93-mile span, visitors will find waterfalls, canyons, scenic brow vistas, unique towns and villages, parks and preserves, and many more natural wonders.

Lookout Mountain is beautiful year-round. The four seasons bring flowering Rhododendrons and Mountain Laurel, children enjoying summer camp, majestic fall foliage and light snows that gently cover the landscape.

It is also home to the extravaganza, The World’s Longest Yard Sale that takes place in August, where over 4,000 yard sale vendors line the Lookout Mountain Parkway and the US 127 Corridor for some 660+ miles of bargains.

From one end of it to the other, it is easy to understand how Reader’s Digest could name The Lookout Mountain Parkway as one of America’s Scenic Drives.

Lookout Mountain Parkway Alabama

Directions

Directions from South to North:

The Lookout Mountain Parkway begins at Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, Alabama, on top of Lookout Mountain. It is easily accessible via exit # 188 off Interstate 59 and following Highway 211 to Noccalula Falls Park. Turn to the left on Tabor Road in front of the Park to begin your journey across the scenic Lookout Mountain.

Tabor Road will become Alabama 176. Continue to follow it into the small community of Dogtown and to a 4-way stop sign. Here you will find the family owned Akins Furniture Store with over 100,000 square feet of furniture space.

You will also find that the Alabama 176 breaks away and carries you into the Little River Canyon National Preserve. This is an optional detour that will take you away from some pretty scenic vistas and stretches of country road, but you will not want to miss seeing the canyon during your time in the area so be sure to work it into your plans before leaving the Fort Payne community.

As you reach Dogtown on AL 176 at the 4-way stop, stay straight through the stop sign where the road now becomes County Rd. 89. Follow this into the mountain top city limits of Fort Payne, staying straight on County 89 as you pass through the 5-points community.

The road leads to an intersection with Alabama Highway 35. It may be at this point where you decide to visit the Little River Canyon. If so, turn to the right on Alabama Hwy. 35 and travel appx. 8 miles to the canyon. Turn right on Alabama Hwy. 176 for a scenic drive along the rim of the canyon.

To continue on the Lookout Mountain Parkway from the intersection of County 89 and AL Hwy. 35, stay straight across Hwy. 35 towards DeSoto State Park. Travel appx. 6 miles from Hwy. 35 to the entrance of the park and easy access to hiking trails, waterfalls, cabin rentals, a restaurant, boardwalk trail and more.

Stay on County 89 through DeSoto State Park towards Mentone. You will want to spend some time in this quaint historic community with several charming restaurants, B&Bs, cabin rentals, unique shopping and so much more.

From Mentone, turn right off County 89 onto Alabama Highway 117 towards Georgia. Once you cross the state line the highway becomes Georgia 48. Travel a short distance to a caution light where you will make a left turn on Georgia 157.

This stretch of road runs about 20 miles to Rising Fawn before making several turns that crisscross Walker and Dade Counties in Georgia. Turn left off of 157 onto GA 136 and then right on GA 189 towards Tennessee. Don’t pass through this winding and rolling hills portion of the Parkway without stopping in on the Cloudland Canyon State Park.

Georgia’s 189 leads you to yet another beautiful spot on Lookout Mountain and straight onto Tennessee 27. Sights such as Ruby Falls and Rock City await you as you pass through this mountain village along streets named for your favorite childhood stories, such as Red Riding Hood Lane.

Title Address Description
Noccalula Falls
Noccalula Falls, Gadsden, AL, USAGadsden, AL
Little River Canyon National Preserve
Little River Canyon National Preserve, 4322 Little River Trail NE, Mentone, AL 35984, USA4322 Little River Trail NE
Mentone, AL 35984
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon State Park, 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd, Rising Fawn, GA 30738, USA122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd
Rising Fawn, GA 30738
DeSoto State Park
DeSoto State Park, 7104 Desoto Pkwy, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USA7104 Desoto Pkwy
Fort Payne, AL 35967
Ruby Falls
1720 Scenic Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37409, USA1720 Scenic Hwy
Chattanooga, TN 37409
Rock City
Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Rd, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750, USA1400 Patten Rd
Lookout Mountain, GA 30750
DeKalb Tourism Official Travel Guide 2024 - Visit Lookout Mountain

Your Appalachian Adventure Awaits!

 

Lookout Mountain is Where Your Appalachian Adventure Begins. Sign up now for access to our Visitor's Guide, with everything you need to plan the perfect mountain getaway.

 

Sign-up Below:

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Skip to content