The lodge is an ideal destination for those who prefer nature-lite. Fall Creek Falls is within 30 miles of Sparta, Pikeville and Spencer, towns with historical offerings like the Sparta Rock House and the historic coke ovens. Take a trip to any of these places to experience some of the best hiking opportunities in the state, and be in the know among any well-versed Tennessee outdoors aficionado. With over 26,000 acres of land, there are multiple waterfalls, miles and miles of hiking trails, and bike trails to boot. But in East Tennessee, its just one great massive, beautiful green space among many. Strangely, no one else at the overlook showed any sign of exertion. For additional information about the services and amenities found in Spencer and the surrounding area visit the Van Buren County Chamber of Commerce website at https://vanburen-spencerchamber.com. Tennessee may be known as a landlocked southern state, but that doesnt mean its been forgotten by Mother Nature. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our, Ski & Snowboard Areas Beach & Pool Clubs. The falls are very well known by nature lovers, and during wet seasons, a second set of falls often appear. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Pro Tip: Privately owned boats and gasoline motors are prohibited. The Woodland Trail crosses Cane Creek Cascades via a swinging bridge. Rock climbing at Fall Creek Falls State Park is by registration only. 2 . Northwest Tennessee, for instance, around Dyersburg and Martin are not exactly vacation hotspots. Hiking There are over 56 miles of hiking trails around the park. Fishing, birding, swimming, hiking, biking, boating, rock climbing, golf, hunting, and a challenge course are all available. Tennessees most popular state park offers plenty of outdoor recreation. Fall Creek Falls is filled with deep gorges, dense and diverse woods, and bluff-top vistas, attracting awide array of bird life year-round. One hundred and forty species of birds have been observed throughout the year. And even if you dont swim, the water from the falls creates a mist that makes it difficult to stay dry. Youll want to bring a change of clothes because reaching the stream requires some hiking. The hike on the boardwalk pathway through the woods to the bottom of the falls is a wonderful forest experience. THINGS TO DO EVENTS Attractions Visitor Center: City Hall Building, 206 S. Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601 | 800.717.0023 Toll Free, 864.233.0461 Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am-4:45pm; Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 12-4pm Sales & Marketing Office: Innovate Building, 148 River Street, Suite 100, Greenville, SC 29601 | 864.421.0000 If you prefer to rent a cabin there are many nearby options. Or, for the ultimate Fall Creek Falls trail experience, take one of the two overnight trails. 2. High Falls South Trail Head. Pro Tip: Arrive 15 to 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Hawks and turkey vultures soar above Millikans. Please bring your own trolling motor and battery. The golf course and the pool offer snack bars. The Falls Creek Falls pool offers a large main pool, shallow kiddie pool, restroom, snack bar, lounge chairs, and scenic lake view. Coon Creek Falls, Rockhouse Falls, Cane Creek Cascades and Cane Creek Falls round out the impressive number of falls in the park. If youre looking for a place to eat after all the fun, check out this neat old-school diner! Its often slick and muddy. A driving range, practice greens, pull carts, and club rental are offered at the golf course. Paddleboats, kayaks and canoes are available for rent, April through October. For the cyclist or hiker, Fall Creek Falls offers choices for the leisurely traveler as well as the more advanced rider or hiker. Today the park features nearly 30,000 acres of land and four major waterfalls. Take a look at the park map to find these destinations. The self-guided Canopy Challenge course takes around 2.5 hours to complete and includes zip-lining, tree-climbing, bridge-crossings, and over 70 ariel obstacles. You can stay at the local inn and spend your days hiking, fishing or simply sitting and reading amidst the grand beauty of the state's natural grandeur. Looking for a trail map? Great access to lifts with friendly people working them, also great with helping kids and beginners on and off lifts What a great little Museum to visit. There are also tons of annual special events like 5K runs, the Halloween Spooktacular, a July 4th Celebration, a Christmas festival, and more! The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. Click the link below to see a list of the maps available at this park. Additionally, the park has 16 backcountry campsites. However, we urge hikers to use caution at the cable crossings due to high water levels. Meigs, Rhea, Bledsoe, and Sequatchie counties are relative unknowns even among many Tennesseans. Fall Creek Falls State Park is home to one of the most challenging 18-hole layouts carved out of the densely forested woodlands of the Cumberland Plateau. Plenty of trees offer refreshing shade. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Pro Tip: Tennessee State Parks offer free admission. The park offers bike rentals at the Canopy Challenge Course near the pool and Park Office. Visit the parks namesake, Fall Creek Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Rockies, or take a swing at that golf ball on the top-rated golf course. Printed maps are located at the Fall Creek Falls Nature Center. Within the 29,800-acre park, there's no shortage of activities to keep you busy, from laid-back endeavors like fishing and birding to more adrenaline-pumping feats such as mountain biking the 24 . The page includes all the trail maps we have available, organized by park. All Fall Creek Falls Golf Course facilities willcloseon December 23, 2022, and reopen (weather permitting) on January 2, 2023. More information is available here. Delightful Chattanooga is only an hour away. Its also a good idea to check the water levels. Wander though the caves with one of the parks guides. A few years later in 1944, the National Park Service transferred ownership of the park to the State of Tennessee. Its also a great spot for corporate retreats. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Tennessee's most popular state park offers plenty of outdoor recreation. Leashed dogs are welcome in most areas of the park including the campgrounds, hiking trails, and picnic areas. The Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps began restoring the forest. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. The Canopy Challenge course features a variety of aerial obstacles including ladders, wobbly bridges, rope swings, cargo nets, balance beams and zip lines. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. From Memphis to the mountains, Tennessee is one of the most visited tourist locations in the world. At the suspension bridge, walk down to the creek for a cooling dip. Just past the cascades is an overlook that provides a good view of both Cane Creek and Rockhouse Falls. We got an up-close view of the parks gorgeous waterfalls. Rock climbing at Fall Creek Falls State Park is by registration only. Lunch and dinner are also available for an extra charge. All Rights Reserved. Would it be possible to have a Wedding and Wedding Reception at your Lodge and Conference Center? Things To Do. Also note that the 85-room Lodge Fall Creek Falls is set to open in the fall of 2021. There are 30 cabins and 222 campsites for overnight guests. One snack bar is located at the golf course, one is adjacent to the swimming pool, and one is next to the camp store. When you arrive at the park for the first time, walk the easy 2.6-mile Paw Paw Trail. Book tee times in advance. Editors Note: The information presented in the first paragraph of this article comes from Tennessee State Parks Fall Creek Falls State Park page and list of 10 waterfalls within an hour of Cookeville. What do you think of these Fall Creek Falls State Park waterfalls? . The state park offers a variety of on-site restaurants. The more adventurous hikers can descend a strenuous trail to the base and behold the splendor of the towering waterfall. Plants at the gorges bottoms are from southern Canada, which is a long way from Tennessee. In the spring, early summer, and fall, the state stocks Cane Creek with trout. more, Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. At 256 feet, the falls are among the highest in the eastern United States. You can also see . Take the Upper Loop Trail. Read our Privacy Policy. Van Buren is located in Middle Tennessee while Bledsoe is in the east. In the heart of the Depression when FDRs alphabet agencies were working overtime to give Americans public works jobs, the federal government began purchasing the badly eroded land around Fall Creek Falls. Coon Creek Falls is a Seasonal waterfall dropping 250 feet into Fall Creek Gorge. Fall Creek Falls cabin rental with a hot tub, Click Here to View All Fall Creek Falls Cabin Rentals, 100 + Free Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains, 40 + Totally Fun and Toatally Free Things to Do in Chattanooga, Gatlinburg Cabins: Everything You Need to Know, 12 Enchanting Christmas Tree Farms Near Chattanooga TN. The park also has a large swimming pool, which is open seasonally. Oak and hickory trees cover much of the park. On Paw Paw, look for woodland birds, owls, woodpeckers, and whip-poor-wills. The grand Fall Creek Falls is 256 feet high, making it the tallest waterfall on the eastern side of the Mississippi. From mid-March to October, look down from the bluff for warblers, vireos, and other migrants. Exercise extreme caution if swimming in any of the unguarded natural areas. Its named for a former Tennessee first lady. You can also find great deals on rental cabins just outside the park. Get your free printed guide or e-guide to start planning. Piney Creek Falls drops 40 feet into Cane Creek Cascades 45-foot waterfall. There are a few ways to get from Seattle to Olympic National Park but most will take you about 3 hours. Filled with family attractions, music, events, food, drinks, and more, you can choose your own Tennessee vacation. Fall Creek Lake (345 acre)provides catches ofLargemouth Bassand is home to state record catches for Channel Catfish and Bluegill. The park is about a three-hour drive from Gatlinburg. The beautiful and challenging 18-hole golf course is one of the best courses in Tennessee. The address is: Yes, Fall Creek Falls is dog-friendly. And finally, we have the newest addition to Fall Creek Falls State Park: The brand new Lodge at Fall Creek Falls. Before becoming a travel writer, Yonkey was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor, and a public relations manager for destination marketing organizations. As spectacular as all those waterfalls are, they are only the parks leading attraction. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Hikers can opt for short or long walks around the lake and to the base of Fall Creek Falls. We appreciate your patience during the recovery process. If that wasnt enough, there is even a fun playground right across the street. Following thorough instruction at Ground School, you will be let loose to explore six different 8-to-13-element routes ranging from serene to extreme. The Fall Creeks Falls Riding Stables are located just outside of the park. However, we urge hikers to use caution at the cable crossings due to high water levels. Recently spent a couple of hours browsing through the museum at Falls Creek. Native Americans used this area continuously for about 500 years, eventually leaving it abandoned. Sometimes,. Between the park entrance and the campgrounds, there is a designated natural swimming area called Gorge Hole. Can use walkway to view waterfall from either side of. Choose your own Tennessee vacation and discover new food, classic whiskey, rockin' music, and so much more. Or call the Virgin Falls Manager Stuart Carroll at (423)414-1510. The park pro shop provides golfing supplies, lessons, rental clubs, and carts. In 2021, the park will officially open the Fall Creek Falls Lodge and Conference Center. For those dreaming of a scenic view in the morning, lakeside cabin rentals are available. Anglers enjoy bank and wade fishingin creeks throughout the park. What other popular state parks would you recommend checking out? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. Join us in the trees for 2.5 hours of zip-riding, heart-pounding, bridge-crossing, breath-taking, tree-climbing, eco-friendly, unforgettable fun! Click More Info for complete details. Every season is the perfect time to visit. Hikers can opt for short or long walks around the lake and to and from the base of Fall Creek Falls. 2023 Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation. Fall Creek Falls is birding heaven (PDF). Rent pull carts and clubs. Anglers enjoy bank and wade fishingin creeks throughout the park. Millikans Overlook is one of several scenic vistas you will find along the Gorge Scenic Drive Motor Nature Trail, offering panoramic views of Cane Creek Gorge . The Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte is our most highly rated trail, but it's best only to attempt it if you are an experienced hiker. Cabins 11-20 were impacted by the flooding. Unfortunately, to reach the trailhead you will need to navigate a narrow gravel road that isnt in the best condition. For a large gathering, the park offers five picnic pavilions. Fall Creek Falls State Park. Chinquapin Ridge Mountain Bike Trail takes cyclists to the parks more remote parts. Release your inner Tarzan at the challenge course. We drove down thru the Lakeside area and there were cars there and apparently cabins rented. Do you have to pay? The water starts at about 3 feet deep and gets deeper the further you go out. Thirty rental cabins are available. When we arrived at the Fall Creek Falls Overlook, we were sweat-soaked. 10-14-21: Heavy rains brought severe flooding to Fall Creek Falls State Park. Once inside the park, however, you wont regret a thing. The park is great for camping, both in primitive sites and cabins. Fall Creek Falls State Park is the largest state park in the state, made up of more than 26,000 acres on the eastern side of Tennessee.