You need a permit to walk all the way down to the falls and it is a very challenging hike. They…read morelimit the amount sold so it does sell out. The gorge does flood so def watch the safetyvide. we wouldn't have made it without out hiking poles. It was my first time using them but theybare game changer for hills and uneven terrain. We had to cross a river ... not creek. Climbing over rocks and boulders. River rocks are sooo slippery. Shoes should have good tread. This was challenging and truthful doubt I'd do it again. Water was cold. But falls are beautiful.

Cummins Falls State Park is located 10 miles north of the town of Cookeville, in Central Tennessee…read more Can you go swimming at Cummins Falls??? Of course you can! It's a 1 mile hike down to the bottom of a gorge to reach a swimming hole Travel and Leisure Magazine rates...as one of the "10 Best in the United States"! It's $7 to gain access to the gorge. You can purchase passes online ahead of time at tnstateparks.com. Or, you can buy passes inside the Visitor Center the day of, but they allot only 200 tickets per day so depending upon the time of year, passes can sell out quickly especially during peak summers. Now...there is a waterfall overlook to check out but I think it'd be more worthwhile to get to Cummins Falls ASAP before the crowds arrive and you can always visit the lookout on the return trip back up towards the trailhead. Once you reach the river area, it's 6/10th's of a mile remaining until you arrive at the falls. Also, make sure to hang towards the left while hiking beside the river and (imo) it's imperative to be wearing water shoes as the creek is filled with sharp rocks and water levels reaching shin high. While hiking to Cummins Falls, you really get a sense for being in the heart of nature. I enjoyed the setting. Approaching the falls, it's 75 feet of cascading waters flowing down the cliffside and ideal for swimming. Best of all, visitors can climb the rocks and explore at their leisure making for an adventurous experience. Of course, it's a rite of passage to finish the experience in style by going swimming. The park opens at 8am. I'd suggest arriving as early as possible before it gets busy. The park closes at 6pm but there's a clearly stated sign that visitors must exit the gorge area by 5pm. One extra note...lifeguards are on duty at Cummins Falls throughout the day. When returning back up towards the trailhead, now head over to the lookout platform getting to admire Cummins Falls from high above. It makes for a photogenic perspective and is a clear reminder of why the great outdoors can be so special. Right nearby Cummins Falls SP are more local waterfalls to check out including...Fall Creek Falls, Burgess Falls, Ozone Falls, Virgin Falls, Piney Falls and Stinging Fork Falls, just to name a few.

This was a beautiful park. The falls were spectacular. The hike was an easy one and didn't take…read morelong to get to the falls outlook. I'm almost 63 and had no problem. The trail to the bottom was closed unfortunately.

This is Burgess Falls, another state park located in Central Tennessee sitting 12 miles northwest…read moreof the town of Sparta, TN. There's a 3/4 of a mile out and back hike called the River Trail that leads to 4 different waterfall lookout points comprising Burgess Falls SP. Waterfall #1 - The Cascades. Sort of the introduction area to the park. Waterfall #2 - First Falls. A quick glance at a 30 foot high waterfall section. But nothing special, imo. When Continuing on the trail, you'll cross over a wooden bridge and follow up a staircase. Now at... Waterfall #3 - Middle Falls... Middle Falls is 80 feet high and partially obstructed by trees and branches having grown over time. *Side Note*.... I wish park services would do some forest cutting for everyone to enjoy clearer views of the park's waterfalls. Entrance right now is free. I'd suggest charging a small fee and using that money to pay for some grooming. A lot of the observation points can't be fully appreciated. Just me venting a little, lol. Waterfall #4 - Burgess Falls... Burgess falls is the centerpiece highlight of the park. Standing at 136 feet from top to bottom, Burgess Falls can absolutely be dramatic, but still natural excess forest maturation disrupts full visibility of the falls. I did read that kayaking at the bottom of Burgess Falls is the most interactive way to come face to face with this statuesque waterfall. You can rent kayaks at Cane Hollow Recreation Area, located at the end of Cane Hollow Road. It's about 10 minutes from Burgess Falls. You can end the River Trail hike at the Top of Burgess for a panoramic overlook of the rugged gorge the falls splash down into from high above. It's another quick stop and go area before returning back towards the trailhead. Overall, Burgess Falls was a muted experience for me, but still has potential to be a rewarding visit if park authorities can maintain the inevitable growing forest hindrances that negate special moments at the waterfall overlooks.

Absolutely fabulous find right out of town. Waterfall was…read moreamazing. Beautiful light hike, trail is well maintained and clean. Some incline and little bit of rock scrambling. There are some big drop offs, so be cautious with toddlers

Delicious, affordable. Had the grilled chicken, very well cooked. Great service - we will…read moredefinitely return

I will have to go back again to see the gorgeous sights of the Yahoo Falls. However the sun was…read moregetting close to setting so myself and my hiking buddy (aka my dog) we went the overlook and what a gorgeous site that is to see. That overlook area is to the left of the hiking trail and just for a minute you get to take in the beauty that nature gives us and forget everything else. I hope to visit again in the spring with the pupper to see the magnificent sight of the Yahoo Falls and Arch

Very pretty dog friendly hike. Luckily it was a rainy day so the waterfall was flowing. It's the…read moretallest waterfall in Kentucky.

Rustic and no distractions, nice place for a break from all the noise. The perfect place to enjoy…read morehuman interaction, games and dinner with no phones. Give yourself a couple days to get over the awkward silence. Takes that long to wake up from our Technology induced coma

I love this place. Most relaxing place anywhere, if here in the summer, there's a swimming pool…read morevery close to the cabins for the kids. Also a lake at the bottom

Good for Bonfires. With approval, like on the community a great space to enjoy the fresh air, view…read moreand friends. 2011 - 2025.

We had some time to kill before dinner and a puppy who needed to stretch her legs, so this is where…read morewe ended up... This place is great. It's got plenty of parking, plus it's gated and though the sign says accessible only to local property owners and their guests, I've seen people simply walk around the gates to get in. They have over a half dozen well marked trails to hike with varying levels of difficulty, 3 different cliff slabs as scenic overlooks that let you see all the way to Sparta, and the lower area has caves to explore too, it's a no brainer. Eagle Flight Park is the perfect way to burn some calories and explore the great outdoors at the same time. I prefer a walking stick, especially when the ground is wet but this place is reasonably flat so you might not want one at all. My old ass and bad knees definitely appreciated the new stairs put in to come back up from the caves at the bottom.

Its really nothing special, this is the first time in many years of going down to Cedar Hill that I…read morewas asked to pay to walk to the swinging bridge... so I didn't go, the short hike to the bridge is not worth $5.... Cost aside... its a nice little area, just not going to take long to do the hikes

This recreation area has some great views and some good picnic areas, however the island across the…read morebridge is completely neglected. Facilities are ok. There are lots of picnic tables in a variety of settings, from open field to hilltop shaded, and some have grills nearby. As you cross the bridge to the narrow island, you will find a mostly secluded trail that runs in a loop along the sides of the island. The further you go, the more neglected the trail. Wear closed toed shoes, as there are some small washouts and lots of poison ivy just off and sometimes on the trail. On the north side, there are small caves and cliffs that make a beautiful juxtaposition with the lake and woods. I recommend sticking to the north (left) part of the trail and going to the small caves and then turning around from there. The deeper you go, the more neglected the park, including ruins from a campground. Near the bridge there are rock shelves that make swimming or wading easy for all skill levels and ages, just be aware that the rock shelves create sudden drop-offs into deeper water. The swimming area is roped off on one side to minimize concerns about boat traffic. The lake is refreshing on hot days, so have a picnic and then dip your feet. All in all, this park could five stars if it wasn't so neglected. It's still a nice place for a picnic and a swim or a boat trip from the ramp.

This unassuming park slightly outside of Crossville packs a punch! There's a golf course, swimming…read morepool, camping, cabins, boat rentals, and more, as well as the nearby Homestead Tower Museum. I stayed in the Mill House Cabin, which is now one of my favorite rentals of all time! Sitting on the underside of the bridge, you have no neighbors shy of the ranger residence up a private driveway leading to the visitor center / aviary area. With great access to trails, walking distance to the restaurant, and pretty much central to everything while being secluded and private at the same time. I did one of the ranger-led night floats, for a little history and a night sounds segments, which was also amazing! The park is relatively near to Chattanooga or Fall Creek Falls as well if you are interested in day trips!

We love this TN State Park! Rangers are always super hospitable and the trails are well kept. Make…read moresure to visit the bridge in the Pioneer Loop Trail.

This was my favorite place in Tennessee ever! It's a beautiful twisty turny drive and the falls…read moreare not too far from the car. It is a steep downward walk then you must be able to walk over lots of rocks and back up to your car. You can go all around and under the waterfall and in the pool. It's shallow and perfect for kids. The rocks are slippery so have some water shoes. My mom and Auntie could only come down about 100 feet so they put their chairs on the steps and waited for us. Their is no bathroom around so use the restroom on the way. The cave is close to the falls and it feels like someone turned on the air conditioner. It is awesome on a hot summer day. But watch your steps carefully. The whole ground is full of boulders and loose rocks to step over and sometimes muddy soil. We finished our day driving to fall creek falls state park to see the views there.

We went here recently for a small hike. Great waterfall and a nice short hike for kids. The cave…read morewas closed for hypernating bats but looks amazing. I would definitely go back again