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October 2025 | Volume 74

News & Updates from the Staff at Little River Canyon Center

From Manager, Sales and Services, Anna Lindsey-Brown

Fall in Love with Little River Canyon

Autumn is a special time at Jacksonville State University’s Little River Canyon Center, and this season is packed with exciting events!

We’re honored to host the JSU Board of Trustees October 20–21, followed by May’s Gulf Music Fest October 25, featuring Will Kimbrough and The Collective Revue’s Tom Petty Tribute, a perfect night of live music under the fall sky.

Don’t miss the 14th Annual Canyon Fest on Saturday, November 1. Enjoy a day packed with arts and crafts, live music, demonstrations, food, and fun for the whole family, even leashed pets are welcome. Best of all, admission is free, however donations are always appreciated.

As the leaves turn from mid-October through early November, the canyon comes alive with brilliant color. Whether you visit for an event, a hike, or simply the view, there’s always something to love at the Canyon Center.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website for all the latest updates.

We can’t wait to see you this fall!

From Assistant Director, JSU Field School, Rebekah Taylor

As we celebrate Pete’s well-earned retirement, I’ve been reflecting on how special Little River Canyon truly is. Working at Jacksonville State University’s Canyon Center has given me countless opportunities to connect with nature, learn alongside students, and be part of something that inspires curiosity and care for the natural world. Fall is one of my favorite times here—the crisp mornings, busy field trips, fall festivals, and exciting programs make this season come alive. We hope you’ll join us for one of our upcoming events, like Living with Black Bears or Fly Tying 101!

From Coordinator, Facilities & Conservation Brooks Gallman

With October upon us, I’m reminded how grateful I am for Jacksonville State University’s Little River Canyon Center and the National Park Service’s Little River Canyon National Preserve. This place is more than my work; it’s where my wife, Katie, and our daughters, Ellie and Vivian, come together to enjoy the brilliant colors of fall, our festivals, and all that we have to offer. As I balance graduate studies, family life, and new leadership responsibilities following our longtime director’s retirement, I’m excited about what lies ahead for the Canyon Center and the community we continue to grow and serve.

Warmest Regards,

From the Team at Little River Canyon Center

Tickets on sale now!

May's Gulf Music Fest

10-25-25 | 6 pm

Featuring

Will Kimbrough

The Collective Revue

Tom Petty Tribute

May's Gulf Songwriter Series

Sunday, November 16th | 3 pm - 5 pm

Featuring

Ordinary Elephant | Suart Douglas

Ordinary Elephant to Headline the Next Songwriter Series at JSU’s Little River Canyon Center



Fort Payne, AL – The May’s Gulf Songwriter Series returns to the JSU Little River Canyon Center on Sunday, November 16, 2025, from 3 to 5 PM. Kicking off the afternoon at 3 o’clock is a local favorite, Stuart Douglas Stanley.

Come for the music, stay for the mountains.

Field School Focus

As summer fades, the canyon bursts into color.

We’re just beginning to glimpse the first leaves turning, but even before the trees fully shift, fall fruits and wildflowers are already stealing the spotlight. Cardinal flowers blaze red along the trails, muscadines are heavy on the vine, and smooth sumac glows with fiery clusters. Goldenrod, asters, ironweed, and mistflowers brighten the landscape, offering a vital food source for pollinators preparing for winter.

These late-season bloomers not only add beauty to the canyon but also play a crucial ecological role. Their nectar and shelter support migrating butterflies, bees, and other insects when few other blossoms remain. As warblers, thrushes, and tanagers pass through on their long journeys south, they stop to refuel on berries and insects drawn to the blooms. By protecting and appreciating fall wildflowers, we help sustain the delicate web of life that carries our ecosystem through the changing seasons.

Want to see it all in action?

Join us for our monthly hikes—held the 1st Friday and 3rd Saturday of each month. These guided walks are the perfect way to explore the trails, witness the seasons shift, and enjoy these stunning native blooms up close. Nature’s putting on a show, and you’re invited!

Upcoming Events

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