The Incredible Hike That Leads To Fascinating Ruins Of An Abandoned Theme Park In Alabama
By Lisa Battles|Published November 29, 2023
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Lisa Battles
Author
Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
Editor’s Note: On this adventure and all others, stay on public lands. Do not trespass onto private property. For more information about this area, visit the National Park Service website.
An abandoned theme park in Alabama on the Little River Canyon near Fort Payne? It was news to me! It may be one of my favorite stories to uncover, much like the concrete and rock structures of that park peeking from the lush forest along the Eberhart Trail. Canyon Land was an amusement park that operated in the area for only about six years over two decades – from 1970 to 1973 and again from 1982 to 1985.
This is the blissful view from atop Eberhart Point, which overlooks Little River Canyon. While states to our northeast usually get all the attention for Appalachian beauty, this part of North Alabama exemplifies the phrase.
Our foothills region in Northeast Alabama is mostly sandstone, and water worked its way through Lookout Mountain over time to create Little River Canyon. The canyon is almost 600 feet deep at some points, creating a crazy elevation change you'd not expect in a coastal Southern state. It's actually the deepest canyon system you'll see east of the Mississippi River.
In the late 1960s, a dream to attract people to this area became reality with a theme park called Canyon Land, which opened in 1970. For context, DeSoto State Park had been established about 15 miles to the northeast in 1939. The current Little River Canyon Preserve was formally established in 1992. Canyon Land operated in a window between those two times. First, from 1970 to 1973, closing not long after its founder passed.
His son reopened it from 1983 to 1985, when he sold it to another operator who ultimately did not keep the park open. In the six years it was open, the park brought people from all around for amusement rides, a zoo, and a famous chair lift that took folks over the highway and down into the canyon for more entertainment.
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It was a destination with attractions created to appeal to every member of the family, from putt-putt golf to a zoo, to a mini-train ride from a century-old depot brought over from Collinsville. People seem to most vividly recall the simple thrill of riding the chair lift to the canyon floor and back.
Along the steep trail down to the canyon floor, you'll see ruins from the park, like the stone walls of the concession stand. It was located near the foot of the chair lift.
Near the conclusion of the trail at the Little River, you'll see where the chair lift ended near the riverbank destination. In its heyday, this space opened up to an additional entertainment area. It featured a sandy beach for swimming and hanging out to live music. Bonus note? The band Alabama played one of their earliest live gigs here, at the base of Little River Canyon. At the time, they were called "Wildcountry." No doubt this place was a Dixieland Delight.
At least one Facebook group memorializes Canyon Land, and people who attended share treasured memories of what fun they had. When you walk the trail, know there were many happy, old memories made here.
Have you ever heard of this abandoned theme park in Alabama? Do you think something like this would be a cool thing to revive? Check out AllTrails for more photos and reviews on the Eberhart Trail to see the remnants of Canyon Land as it once was.
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