Alabama · Hiking

The Knob Exit Trail

0.5 mi
round trip
347 ft
climb
1,468 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is The Knob Exit Trail open right now?

Alert in the area

The National Park Service lists an alert for Little River Canyon National Preserve.

  • SEASONAL SAFETY MESSAGE

    Park alert covering Little River Canyon National Preserve · NPS · Little River Canyon National Preserve

As of · Source: NPS · Little River Canyon National Preserve. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Knob Exit Trail is a short out-and-back hike in Little River Canyon National Preserve in northern Alabama, managed by the National Park Service. The trail is about 0.9 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 347 feet, and it starts at an elevation of about 1,455 feet, reaching a high point of 1,468 feet before returning to the trailhead. The route is a quick outing, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 19 percent. The trail is a good fit for a short stop in the preserve, and it pairs easily with other nearby routes. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the Valley Head weather station, about 6.7 miles away, show October highs around 72°F with lows near 48°F, and April highs around 70°F. That station sits roughly 350 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the knob run a little cooler. A fee is charged for the visit. The trail is open year-round, and the trip takes about half an hour. Nearby, Exit 4/Saddle Trail and Old North Road 05 are both about 0.7 miles away, and the DeSoto Scout Trail is about 0.9 miles off. Paddlers can reach the East Fork Little River, about 1.9 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit The Knob Exit Trail

    Best months: March–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      49° / 30°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 32°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 39°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 46°

      11 wet

    5. May

      77° / 55°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 63°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 67°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 66°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 60°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      72° / 48°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      60° / 38°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 33°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Valley Head, AL, 6.7 mi away at 1,121 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors