Want to play a little game? Count how many wild life you find while on the trail. I found a turtle…read more There much to love about this park. It's very well maintained. If you want exercise without distraction I'd suggest heading to the park by 6:30 as it can get quite packed. I nearly lost a limb from a biker going max speed. Only downside is that highway near it is loud. 9/10 turtles

Went with my sister and we enjoyed it besides the fact we went a day after it had rained. The…read moreMarshall Knob trail starts paved until you get to the river overlook, so keep that in mind. We hiked every trail except the Rocky Path, we enjoyed the scenery and wildlife. There are plenty of benches along the trails, we even saw a bathroom or two (porta potties though). The location next to the highway (especially on the Valley View trail) and other homes does detract from the experience some. We went on a Tuesday so there were only a few people there. Overall good experience.

Very cool place awesome hike. Dipping in the water on a hot day was amazing. All kinds of beautiful…read morenature and sounds. Brought a publix sub from florida to enjoy out here

Rock Island State Park has a strange layout but is jam-packed with interesting sites. If you stop…read morein the Visitor Center, they have maps and written directions on how to hit the highlights easily. You can view different falls, cascades, flow stones, and more from short distance strolls to overlooks, or delve deeper into the gorge for a closer view. Swimming is not permitted except in certain areas, so take notice, people have drowned here. Be careful when hiking and exploring the floor of the gorge as the dam can release water with limited warning. That being said, the Twin Falls and Great Falls are lovely, and the diverse landscape keeps the walk extremely interesting! Me and the dog did the Upstream and Downstream trails on the Twin Falls side, and the Gorge Trail on the Great Falls side, and while Dianne, they are steep and slippery, so wear proper shoes!

Absolutely stunning walk in nature. I highly recommend this easy 3 mile in and out hike. It's…read morewaterfall heaven! I should have counted to see how many waterfalls there were; I am curious to know how many I saw today. The museum is nice as well. There is also camping, playground, picnic area and large ceremonial Indian field.

Great park with beautiful waterfalls! I came here right before the hurricane so the there was not…read moreas much water and but it was still beautiful! The hike is super easy and very kid friendly! We had brought water shoes so we could dip our feet into the lake! It was lots of fun! We will definitely be back! Very scenic and fun!

Great spot for sunset. Not too big though. Has enough parking slots too. This is a cute spot for…read morefriends and couples.

For sure it's a great view of the Nashville skyline. Also holds up to its name lovers circle lol…read more There were people laying all over on blankets making out everywhere. Found humor that all the trash bins were overflowing with garbage and people were laying in it just to cop a feel and steal a kiss. Parking was rough, since this place is no secret to locals but worth stopping for the night time view of the skyline . Just watch where you step, you may step in the trash or a horny teenager. Lol

My hubby is a bit of a history buff. We had been at the VA for a car show and just happened by this…read moreplace. We got lunch at In-N-Out then came back and used the shady picnic tables to relax and have a picnic. They have a smallish museum, in comparison to other National Park museums, but it is packed with facts and interesting artifacts. Outside there are trails to walk, and separate bike lanes. On a sunny day there are many shady areas to stop and enjoy the sights, sounds and fragrances!

As we were on the way to Bell buckle we had to go through Murphreesboro. So, why not visit a Civil…read moreWar site? The driving tour takes you to 6 different stops along the way. The drive is peaceful and there are a number of people who walk the trail or walk their dogs. The visitors center has knowledgeable rangers, a small museum, a film of the battle, and the gift shop. And let's not forget the clean restrooms, right? It's not a huge place but worth a stop for Civil War buffs.

Machine Falls is located in Short Springs State Natural Area in Tullahoma, Tennessee. It's a 1.6…read moremile round trip loop to and from the falls. You start out by hiking through the forest on a defined dirt pathway with barely any elevation until the final descent into a narrow valley bottom. Along the way, just follow the stamped white markings posted on the trees as all trails are conveniently color coordinated. There is an overlook platform but it offers minimal visibility from the side of the falls. The last part of the hike is down a set of staircases. Once reaching the base, there'll be a sign for Machine Falls 100 yards straight ahead. You can reach the falls by walking through the creek which will probably require water shoes, or...you can follow the last little section of the trail along the cliffside as a quicker, alternative entrance. Either way... Machine Falls is a 60-foot waterfall cascading over a jagged rock wall into a secluded gorge below. Visitors can stand right in front of the falls for impressive views. It's a totally immersive natural experience set among peaceful surroundings. Taking a few steps back offers a panoramic backdrop and captures the symmetrical precision of Machine Falls. No wonder this waterfall has a reputation for being one of the best in Tennessee. Unfortunately, the pool the falls splashes down into isn't deep enough for full on swimming, but at the very least you can bring water shoes and get your feet wet. When finished, the trail continues over a footbridge to then climb your way out of the gorge. Overall, the easy 1.6 mile roundtrip loop can be completed within an hour or two. In the end, coming to Machine Falls makes for a worthwhile way to spend time in nature. I am always fascinated by dramatic waterfall appearances, and Machine Falls lives up to its billing. And...Tennessee has a host of them all over the state, making it widely recognized as a place for adventurers to go waterfall chasing.

One of the few places distance wise that is kid friendly. Hiking 1 mile Approximate walk to the…read morefalls. For sure bring your water shoes. You would want to get up close to the falls for the beautiful picture capture. Trail is pretty easy to navigate. Parking lot is limited parking. No restroom on the trail or along the way. So make sure you do stop by a gas station before coming.

Did a quick stop to visit this beautiful park. You have to hike a little to get to the different…read morefalls, but nothing too strenuous. It was a hot day which wasn't that fun, but once we got to the falls it was nice to take in the view and relax. We went midday in the middle of the week so it was not busy... I am guessing during the weekend it would get packed. Note that parking is limited, so either get there early or go when we went. Would I go back? Yes.

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.

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.

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