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!

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!

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!

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.

We had a great relaxing stay at the cabin. It was really cool to be that close to the falls.The…read morehost was amazing and had great recommendations for local things to do.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO VISIT MILLER FALLS in gorgeous Smokey Mountains!…read more Beautiful woods, creeks, rock climbing, camping, and brilliant weather. Campgrounds are clean, lots of amenities, and campground owners are super kind people! We stayed for 4 nights, and our campsite was $48/night before tax. We initially booked through HipCamp, but I'll definitely be booking with the owner directly (www.TNwaterfallgetaway.com) for all future visits to their campground! My fiance and I booked the TrampEase Tree Tent - one of seven beautiful, hand-built campsites that range from primitive to full-on glamping. Our campsite was a mix of both. It included an elevated yurt tent, fire pit, round table, 2 folding camping chairs, and a private composting toilet in a nearby outhouse. Not to mention a flowing creek less than 50 feet from the yurt! The tranquil sound of the creek flowing 24/7 was even better than sleep-sounds on my Google Home. LOL! Most of the campsites have drive-up access, though if you have a car that's particularly low to the ground (like a small sedan) you may not want to risk driving over the rocky road. We brought with us a 1" inflatable mattress pad, along with a sleeping bag, and 2 thick, warm blankets. Despite being mid-May, the average temps during our visit were 60-70 F during the day, and a chilly 40-45 F at night. Brilliant weather for snuggling, but we would have regretted not bringing a few extra blankets. Lots of hiking and trails to explore on their property, and at least a mile of rugged creek terrain that makes for a fun, albeit challenging day of rock climbing. Well worth it for the stunning views of the waterfalls, canyons, and mountainsides. There are also trails and lakes nearby for hiking, kayaking, and a number of other outdoor attractions in Tracy City. The owners, Grant & Becky, were such friendly people. My fiance and I had a lovely chat with them about philanthropy, community outreach, homestead farming, and more. They are warm, kind, and welcoming to people of all ages, races, religions, genders, identities, abilities, backgrounds, perspectives, and ideologies. They have done a lot of traveling and business throughout their lives, and now they are semi-retired in the rolling hills of Tennessee. Speaking of ability - the majority of the glamping sites have tents that are elevated from the ground; some, like the one we stayed in, required climbing a 10 foot ladder to enter/exit the tent. There are some other sites though that are more accessible with tents low to the ground, or primitive sites where you can pitch your own tent. Contact the owner (www.tnwaterfallgetaway.com/contact) to ask about the best accommodation options for you. They offer great amenities and fun activities around the property during your stay. The owners are big on being self-sufficient, so they love to offer fun learning experiences regarding farming, gardening, and homesteading. They also enjoy metal work and have some cool art pieces around their property. We even did a welding project (for a small fee) and made an original piece of art as a keepsake from our trip! You can also get some convenience items from the owners for a fee: firewood bundles, champagne & ice, property tours, guided tours of their city, and more. HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TRIP: Grant was also kind enough to swing by our campsite one morning to ask if we had any interest in bees! He has a few hives and some extra gear, so we got an up-close look into the hives! It was absolutely mesmerizing! And if all that weren't enough, their website www.TNwaterfallgetaway.com is chock-full of great tips for local hiking, waterfall views, kayaking, dining, and more! We had such a lovely time enjoying the outdoors, and look forward to going back for another visit!

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!!

We enjoyed this trail. It's well marked and the end is beautiful. The rocks are very slippery so…read moreI don't recommend this for everyone- it's like walking on ice especially the final section. Definitely a work out and beautiful scenery. Bugs in the face were an annoyance in August.

This is a strenuous hike. Even if you do a short loop at 7.5 miles, the elevation climbing back to…read morethe parking lot is killer. I enjoyed myself the way down, 5 star hike. Note you arrive at the walls and it's a pretty little pool with mini waterfalls. You need to climb up the waterfalls to see the really impressive formations. Definitely worth the effort. But, climbing back up to the parking lot: disheartening. I had a miserable time. Also to note, do not make the mistake I did of going in July in Alabama: the heat and humidity were intense.

This was our second time here. I am always impressed by TN State Parks. Clean bathrooms, friendly…read morestaff, it can make a big difference in your day. We did some fishing, but no catching haha. We napped in the sun, and watched boats and birds go by. While we did not go up the tower or in the wildlife area, we thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing day here. It's a little early in the year, so we didnt see too many people. One note, the two bathrooms we used both had stairs. Im sure they have bathrooms that can be accessed without stairs, but I didn't see them. One note, there are picnic tables near the road to one of the boat ramps. As I was driving through a small child ran out in front of me from between to parallel parked cars. No big deal, I was driving like an old lady, but highky recommend keeping an eye out if you drive through there.

To be fully transparent, we didn't get too far in, just the visitor center with the really cool…read moreobservation tower (it just keeps going and going...) and the Highland Rim Trail, but it felt like a lot! The park has access to a river beach across from a neat dam, where kids were having a great time lifting big rocks and heaving them into the water. The trail was rather steep, went down pretty quickly, flattened for a while, then sharply inclined back up. All in all, I get the feeling we need to return and do a little more, but I like what I see so far!!

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.