Tony and I love to go hiking at Fall Creek Falls State Park. They have so many trails and…read moreoverlooks. Just to the Left of the parking lot is a scenic drive loop and on this loop we came across this gorgeous overlook called Lover's Leap.

This was a beautiful State Park. Lots of amenities, picnic areas, bathrooms, camping spots. The…read morecabins were restricted to guests only so I didn't see them. The trails were perfect. A mixture of easy and not so easy. But this almost 63yo made it! The falls were gorgeous to behold. Would definitely return.

Amazing short hike down stairs and rocks to a beautiful rocky river bed filled with boulders, pools…read moreof clear water, cliffs dripping with water or actual water falls all over the cliffs. The cliff faces look like hanging gardens filled with native plants. Beautiful ferns cling to the rocks with some covering an entire surface with graceful fronds. This place is magical and wonderful. GO!

Pictures do not do this campground justice! This is an absolutely beautiful campground that has…read moreplenty of shade trees, and spacious camp spaces. The bathhouses are clean and well maintained, and there is so much to do in the area! Despite there being a lot of kids, this campground is relatively quiet and very relaxing! The roads are well maintained, the grounds are just beautiful (I know I keep saying that). This is one of my top 5 favorite campgrounds EVER!!

I'll make it short & sweet. July 15, 2026, I called Reservations (can't remember the name of the…read moregirl who took my reservations, although I wrote it down somewhere but when I hear it, I'll know it) & booked the dates of July 18th, Saturday, to July 21st, Tuesday of 2026; B65 was the location. I explained to the female that I had trouble with self-reservation online & I couldn't see the rest of the information in the dropdown box whenever I clicked, what looked like a location was available or as I understood it to be available. She took my reservation, REPEATED IT BACK to me correctly (in between putting me on hold about 2 or 3 times) and then gave me the price. I paid for it and she sent the email confirmation. I looked at the email and saw the date I called, the time & "18th - 21st." Cool. That Saturday morning of July 18th, I drove over 9 hours (got lost a little bit because of highway construction and GPS) but made it there. Went to the office lobby, gave my name & the campground location. "Brandy" is what the front desk girl asked me as my name. "No..." I responded and repeated my name. Well, long story short, she said Brandy had my spot, I was offered another location, I took it, showed her my confirmation and saw that the reservation girl had listed me as "Tuesday, August 18, 2026 arrival" and departure "Friday, August 21, 2026." I told the young lady at the desk of the conversation of my reservation and stated that although I didn't notice the month and days were incorrect, the reservationist spoke it correctly, so that's what I saw. The part that really got me, she said I had to pay $17.00 extra to go to the new location. I refused. I have worked in hospitality for years and I know how it works. I told her I wasn't upset with her but I shouldn't have to pay for their mistake. I asked for a refund. Then I drove another 10 or so hours back home (because of traffic & getting lost trying to leave Spencer, TN). I'm just now leaving this review because I tried to forget what happened but each time someone asked me, who hadn't seen me since I returned, how my vacation went, as I replay the scenario, my emotional feelings of frustration, some anger & the memory of how exhausted I was, returns. I slept for 2 days because I had missed so much sleep just driving to TN then immediately returning home. Will I ever return to this campground? I doubt it. NO, I shall not. No one even apologized to me. All I heard was, "That'll be $17.00." My response, "17.00 for what? I'm paying?" Nooooo, I believe I'm done. Thanks for reading.

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.

This is a gem in eastern Tennessee owned by the state. It is not real easy to find and a little…read moredifficult to get to but the waterfall and spectacular cave is well worth the trip. You must park on the side of the road, go down the stairs travel a short distance to see the beautiful waterfall. Then just across is a cave. I tried walking inside but there are so many rocks piled up that it makes it very difficult to go very far. Lost Creek is one of the larger caves in Tennessee. This natural area is situated on the western flank of the Cumberland Plateau. With five entrances and seven miles of mapped passages, it makes for an adventurist day. This natural area is covered with diverse trees, wildflowers, ferns and mosses. Open to the public from sun up to sun down year round.

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.

If you like to take pictures like myself than this may not be the best place. It had a few spots…read morewith beautiful scenery but not many! Also, some of the terrain was pretty rough.

Beautiful views with an easy hike for my pup! The weather was perfect for this short 3 mile hike.read more

This park is quite substantial by state park standards, and includes several different entrances…read more The small ranger center sits adjacent to a reasonably photogenic waterfall, while a paved trail leads past campgrounds to some nauseatingly high overlooks. While taking the rougher path down into the gorge would probably be a good day's work, I didn't quite have time for that. Nonetheless, the sights were plenty, and they were free.

When I really need a break from the city, I make the drive up here. It's about 3 hours from Atlanta…read moreand it's a really easy drive right up 75. There are a few different trails that lead to different outcomes (such is life, amirite??) and landmarks. My favorite trail is to the Overlook, but I do mix them up. Some paths are in the 1-2 mile range, and others are in the 6-8 mile range. There are always enough people around for it to feel safe, but not crowded. Like any park, there is always something beautiful and different in bloom. I love the flowers and I somehow always lose myself JUST enough to be surprised by them each time. Since the pandemic hit, I've driven up here a few times. At first, the bathrooms were not open, but they have been open every time since. Surprisingly, the bathrooms at the ranger station are really clean. Not what I'd usually expect from a state park restroom!

Quick excursion but still worth the stop! Short trek down a fairly easy path to a beautiful…read morewaterfall.

This is a beautiful place to visit and enjoy nature. One of Southeast Tennessee's hidden gems. The…read moreHike to the bottom is very strenuous, lots of slick rocks and steep inclines over rocks. All the work is well worth the hazards.

Foster Falls is easily one of the most impressive waterfalls we've visited in Tennessee! From the…read moremoment we arrived, it was clear why this spot is so popular with hikers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The park is clean, well maintained, and easy to navigate, with a scenic overlook that offers an incredible first view of the falls. We decided to hike down into the gorge, and it was absolutely worth the effort. Crossing the suspension bridge added a fun touch to the adventure, and standing at the base of the 60-foot waterfall was an unforgettable experience. The towering sandstone cliffs, lush greenery, and cool mist from the falls created a peaceful atmosphere that made us want to stay much longer. The trails are well marked, though the descent can be steep in places, so good hiking shoes are definitely recommended. We also loved learning that this area is a favorite destination for rock climbers and serves as the southern end of the famous Fiery Gizzard Trail. Whether you're looking for a scenic day hike, an amazing place to photograph, or simply a beautiful spot to enjoy nature, Foster Falls should absolutely be on your Tennessee itinerary. We had an incredible time and can't wait to return and explore even more of South Cumberland State Park. Highly recommended! Check out our video on our socials @reessroots

Foster Falls, just do it! We are 60 and 66! My body talked to me that night but the memories I…read morehave are so worth it!!

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.