Fall Creek Falls

Pikeville, Tennessee

4.7/5

based on 9 reviews

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Details

Distance

2.76 miles

Elevation Gain

781 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Clare Healy

Explore every inch of the highest free-fall waterfall east of the Mississippi River from the rim trail to the base of the falls. Then continue on the trail to see 5 other waterfalls and a swinging bridge within the park!

Fall Creek Falls State Park is sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau. The 20,000-acre park is one of the most scenic parks in the country and is the largest recreation area in the state of Tennessee. It is home to a 256-foot waterfall, cascades, gorges, 5 other waterfalls, campsites, cabins, and more than 34 miles of hiking trails.

You can park right at the Fall Creek Falls overlook and be awed with a view from above the towering falls in just seconds. Then be sure to follow the orange blazes for the Base of Fall Creek Falls Trail, a half mile downhill trail that will let you experience the falls from below. You can even go for a dip during the warmer months!

The Woodland Trail (yellow blazes) is the main 1-mile trail connecting the Fall Creek Falls overlook to the Nature Center. Take this to cross the Cane Creek Cascade via swinging bridge and hope over the to the Gorge Overlook Trail (red blazes) for overlooks of Cane Creek Falls and Cane Creek Gulf. Additionally, there are two long distance overnight trails for backpackers while the day-use trails are designed to accommodate recreational activities for all ages.

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Features

Hiking

Scenic

Waterfall

Fall Creek Falls Reviews

Alyssa Jackson

Fall Creek Falls

04/25/17

Fall Creek Falls state park is such a lovely area, I was able to visit twice last fall and it was incredible. The hike down to the falls was nice, nothing too strenuous. Some rocky areas can be a bit slippery especially if its been raining so be cautious.

5.0

Jeanette Jolley

Fall Creek Falls

12/21/16

One of my favorite location and trails in all of Tennessee. Stunning location. Beautiful falls. Trails are a good level of exercise. Dog friendly (I recommend keeping them on leash because of loose rocks and cliffs). Bring water and snacks as it's easy to want to stay all day.

5.0

Explorer

Kelley Le

Explorer

Fall Creek Falls

04/13/16

This is a great place with a beautiful waterfall. Camped at the state park, which I loved. My favorite part was hiking to the base of the falls. It was certainly cold but being at the bottom and looking up at such an awesome waterfall was pretty sweet. There's a boulder at the bottom in front of the waterfall which is great for photographing people in front of the falls. There are other great spots, too. Fair warning though, if it's not summer, it can get pretty cold down there. It's also pretty slippery, so tread carefully!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike to Rockhouse and Cane Creek Falls

Fall Creek Falls State Park is home to multiple waterfalls. The main attraction and biggest waterfall, Fall Creek Falls, is often tourists' main destination, but I encourage you to visit the base of Rockhouse Falls and Cane Creek Falls to enjoy some quiet solitude and get away from the usual weekend crowds. This hike is not for small children, pets, or any individual who cannot lift or hold the...

Hike to the Base of Fall Creek Falls

Fall Creek Falls State Park hosts a variety of large waterfalls which can easily become confusing. The park's main attraction is the 256 foot waterfall dubbed "Fall Creek Falls." Fall Creek Falls is observable from a viewing platform less than a five minute walk from the Scenic Loop Road parking lot; however, the magnificence of the falls is best appreciated at the base. From the viewing platfo...

Photograph Buzzard's Roost Overlook

Located in the beautiful state park of Fall Creek Falls, you'll find this overlook along with Millikan's Overlook. Both overlooks showcase the views shown in my photos, however, Buzzard's Roost is a short walk down the side trail that gives a more solitude experience that you may be looking for. This overlook is also the spot the rangers utilize at the state park for their semi-annual rock clim...

Hike to Fall Creek Falls Fire Tower

The tower is located in the far northeast corner of Fall Creek Falls state park. The road to get there can be rough especially if it has rained recently but any 2 wheel drive vehicle should be able to make it. When you get to the trailhead it is a small gravel pull off with a gate. From the gate it is a short half mile hike to the tower. At the bottom of the tower is a small sign with the histo...

Hike to Lost Creek Falls

GPS Coordinates: 35.84102,-85.36123 Why We Love It: NO CROWDS- We only came across a few other people so, it’s a little more low key than some other popular Tennessee waterfalls. DISNEY LOVED IT- This was a filming location for Disney’s 1994 The Jungle Book!CAVE- Across the path there is a large entrance to Lost Creek Cave, one of the larger caves in Tennessee. There is a waterfall in the ca...

Welch's Point

This location was recently opened back to the public by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Tennessee Department of Conservation and Environment in the fall of 2014 after being closed for over a decade! It is one of the most spectacular spots to watch the sunset in east Tennessee. This overlook is down the road beside Virgin Falls, where there is an abundance of waterfalls and hiking t...

Fall Creek Falls

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Fall Creek Falls Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Hike to Rockhouse and Cane Creek Falls

Hike to the Base of Fall Creek Falls

Photograph Buzzard's Roost Overlook

Hike to Fall Creek Falls Fire Tower

Hike to Lost Creek Falls

Welch's Point

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