Fall Creek Falls State Park
add photosA paradise of more than 20,000 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau, Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of the most scenic and spectacular outdoor recreation areas in America. Laced with cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams, and lush stands of virgin hardwood timber, the park beckons those who enjoy nature at her finest. While Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is the highest waterfall in the eastern United States, other waterfalls in the park are Piney and Cane Creek Falls and Cane Creek Cascades.
The oak and hickory forest that covers most of the park gives way to tulip poplar and hemlock forest in the gorges. The plants and animals of the moist, protected gorges are not unlike the species found in southern Canada. Mountain laurel and rhododendron are abundant throughout the park, as are other plants and animals.
With its many amenities and panoramic natural setting, it is little wonder that Southern Living magazine readers voted Fall Creek Falls the best state park in the Southeastern United States.
The park is located in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, 11 miles east of Spencer and 18 miles west of Pikeville. It may be entered from Highway 111 or Highway 30.
(423) 881–3297, (800) 250–8610 (inns and cabins), or(800) 250–8611 (campground).
7 Reviews for Fall Creek Falls State Park
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20 families found this helpful
"hard to get around for a newbie"
I had great anticipations for our fall creek falls vacation. Although we had a great time at the timeshare we stayed at, the state park itself was a bit of a disappointment. I remembered coming here 15+ years ago and loving it, but with small kids and in-laws to boot, it was not a trip for the multi-generations. Most of the trails could not be handled by all of us, but there was one positive. We went to Sugar Falls and that was a fun one where the kids could splash around near the foot of the falls and climb on the rocks. Otherwise, too hard for us to navigate.
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"Great State Park"
This is a very, very nice state park. We stayed in the cabins for Thanksgiving one year with the family. They also have a restaurant in the State Park that was a yummy place to eat on Thanksgiving. It is a very large park that also has some good trails! (Beware though barely any cell service)
0 families found this helpful
"Beautiful but could be dangerous"
Recently we visited Fall Creek Falls Tennessee. The winter weather had made conditions icy and it was a little bit dangerous. Of course we kept a close eye on all our little ones and no one was hurt but trails were hard to navigate in the ice. The reason to go to this park is to see the majestic waterfalls. They are so amazing. Also, there is a big beautiful creek with a cool suspension bridge over it to cross. Your family will enjoy visiting if you like the outdoors.
0 families found this helpful
"A Great Family Outing"
Fall Creek Falls has something for everyone. There are a variety of hiking trails for all levels of ability. The most popular trail goes down to the main falls. A hard hike down and back. No swimming is allowed here. There is also another area of smaller falls that is pretty easy to access and swimming is allowed here. There is a lodge and restaurant which we have never stayed in, but are supposed to be good. Plenty of picnic tables and grills are available. Some are near a playground.
0 families found this helpful
"Great State Park"
We explored all over this park and had a wonderful time doing so in our swimsuits. We hiked across suspension bridges through creeks over rocks and had a blast doing so. There is even a small swimming area that is partially blocked off. I would recommend swim shoes for that because the bottom is all full of rocks and can be kinda painful if you step on them wrong. All in all it was great, we're even talking about going back and camping there.
1 family found this helpful
"We love fall creek falls"
We are a big camping a hiking family. We love fall creek falls. If you plan to go on a bug weekend like July4th (where there is a big parade through the park) you might want to get there early in the week. Lots of folks will set up a tent and then leave and come back a couple days later. Eitherway, there are great parks for them to play and ride bikes. Gorge hole is a great swimming hole and lots of wonderful hiking to do during the day. Camping is $20 a night with electricity and water. We love it, but be warned TICKS are bad there, so bringing repellant!
'10, '11
0 families found this helpful
"Timing is everything"
I suppose all waterfalls are weather-dependent, but this one is particularly so. If you go during a dry spell, you'll see more water from a garden hose, so try to time the trip right after a good rain. The main problem is that the park is a bit off the beaten path, but there's camping space and cabins in the park, and motels not far away. There are two -- maybe more -- waterfalls here, and both are pretty. The larger one falls into a giant sinkhole, and there's a trail all around the rim with several views. The trail is rocky, not amenable to strollers. If you're up to it, you can hike into the sinkhole to the base of the falls, but beware: it's easy going in, not so easy coming out. Plan to have to carry anyone younger than 5. The trail's safe enough, but there are drop-offs close by, so keep your rowdy ones in sight. And by the way, this park is nowhere near Adams -- it's SE of Nashville, and McMinnville is the closest town big enough for fast food.
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