Nestled on the eastern edge of the Cumberland Plateau, Fall Creek Falls State Park is a breathtaking landscape of deep gorges, cascading streams, and hardwood forests. Its namesake 256-foot Fall Creek Falls is one of the highest free-falling waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. Six other waterfalls flow within the park including Cane Creek Cascades, Cane Creek Falls, Hemlock Falls, Raccoon Creek Falls, Rockhouse Creek Falls, and Piney Creel Falls.
Below are the hikes, overlooks, waterfalls, and suspension bridges we explored during our September visit.
Fall Creek Falls and Raccoon Creek Falls
We started at the overlook for Fall Creek Falls, which plunges deeply into the rounded gorge. In September, it was a small trickle compared to the roaring flow at other times of the year.
From the overlook, Raccoon Creek Falls is just to the right of Fall Creek Falls. In normal times, it is a smaller waterfall, but in September it was almost non-existent – barely a wet rockface.
Two trails start from this overlook:
- To the left, a strenuous 0.35-mile path descends into the gorge and takes visitors to the base of the falls.
- To the right, the 1-mile Woodland Trail heads through the forest toward Cane Creek and the nature center.
Woodland Trail and Gorge Overlook Trail
The Woodland Trail and the 0.65-mile Gorge Overlook Trail connect to make a loop between Fall Creek Falls and Cane Creek.
Woodland Trail is a moderate hike over uneven terrain. It wanders through hardwood forest, over a couple of small creeks.
We chose to turn onto the Gorge Overlook Trail on the way to the nature center. There are three main overlooks: Rocky Point, Cane Creek Gulf, and Cane Creek Falls.
Cane Creek Falls overlook could be better, because due to safety concerns, they have fenced off the edge pretty far back. It limited my view to just the brink of the 80-foot waterfall.
Across the gorge from the overlook, Rockhouse Creek Falls plunges 120 feet into Cane Creek.
Cane Creek Cascades and Suspension Bridge
The Woodland Trail ends at the suspension bridge over the brink of Cane Creek Cascades. Cane Creek Cascades is a smaller 45-foot waterfall upstream from Cane Creek Falls.
The suspension bridge swings and bounces with movement, which makes it fun for kids. From the bridge, we had excellent views of the creek and gorge walls.
After the bridge, a short dirt path brought us to the brink of Cane Creek Cascades where we could watch the cascade from the side.
There is a staircase down to a spur trail along the creek to the base of the cascades. Due to the low flow on other creeks and poor viewpoints, this was our favorite waterfall in the park by far!
On the rocky shoals at the base of the cascade, autumn leaves began to dot the gorge.
Nature Center Overlook
This overlook is a short walk from the nature center, down some stairs. It is directly across from Cane Creek Falls overlook on the Gorge Overlook Trail. I could only catch a glimpse of Cane Creek Falls through foliage. I couldn’t see Rockhouse Creek Falls at all from this overlook.
From the overlook, we also had 180-degree views of the gorge and the creek downstream.
Piney Creek Falls and Suspension Bridge
In a more remote section of the park, Piney Creek has a waterfall, suspension bridge, and mountain bike trail. Piney Creek Falls drops roughly 80 feet into a lush gorge.
There is a short, moderate walk from a small parking area to the overlook on an outcropping.
It is an obstructed view from the overlook, and we could only see a small segment through the trees. Piney Creek Falls is a two-tier waterfall – a single plunge that then fans out as it crashes onto rocks halfway down.
There is a separate, moderate trail to a suspension bridge over Piney Creek.
This trail is closer to the waterfall than the overlook, but the view was also poor from here. In the photo below, you barely see the falls next to the tree trunk in the center.
Wildlife
We found several birds in the park including blue jays, Carolina chickadees, Carolina wrens, eastern wood-pewees, hairy woodpeckers, hooded warblers, northern cardinals, red-bellied woodpeckers, Tennessee warblers, tufted titmice, white-breasted nuthatches, and wood thrushes.
Whether you conquer the rugged Base of the Falls Trail or discover the hidden gems of Cane Creek Cascades and Piney Creek Falls, Fall Creek Falls State Parks is a potent reminder of the beauty held within the Cumberlands.
I was lucky enough to join Steph Purk on this trip. The views were fantastic and the trails were many. Although some waterfalls had little to offer, the trip made up for itself with the many beautiful sights, sounds and a suspension bridge to cross over. A sunny day to top it off.