Waterfall Viewing

Fall Creek Falls State Park, Edgar Evins State Park, and Cumberland Mountain State Park offer cabins and campsites which make ideal home bases and are each located near at least two additional parks with waterfalls. 

Most people prefer to hike back to the parking lot along the service road. The 1-mile Ridge Top Trail is very scenic with views down the main canyon of the Falling Water River. Please note that the trail from the main overlook to the main falls is very strenuous. All trails are foot trails. 

• Cascades 20'
• Upper Falls 30'
• Middle Falls 80'
• Burgess Falls 136'
• Falling Water Cascades 10'

Nearby accommodations can be found at Edgar Evins State Park, which is 30 minutes east of Burgess Falls State Park. 

In the rolling hills of Jackson County where Putnam and Jackson counties meet, the stream gives way to a 75-foot drop. Cummins Falls is formed on the Eastern Highland Rim and is Tennessee's eighth largest waterfall in volume.  

Gorge Access Permits Required  
The park now offers gorge access permits that are required for any visitor wishing to enter the gorge or visit the base of the waterfall. You can purchase permits online or at the park visitor center. Due to the limited daily quantity of permits, we recommend purchasing your permit online in advance.  

Safety at the Gorge 
While very beautiful, this is a rugged area and there are inherent hazards.  To make your visit to our park is as safe and enjoyable as possible, know the risks. Use good judgment and common sense when deciding whether you should hike down to the waterfall or view it from above, at the overlook. If you decide to hike to the bottom of the waterfall please use caution and note that a Gorge Access Permit is required. Everyone should wear appropriate shoes that can get wet, bring a friend, and wear a personal flotation device when swimming at the falls. More guidelines are available on the park page using the link below. 

Nearby Accommodations 
Edgar Evins State Park is 35 minutes away with idyllic cabins and campsites overlooking Center Hill Lake. Standing Stone State Park is 40 minutes away with cabins and campsites in a family-friendly wooded setting centered around Kelly Lake.

Fall Creek Falls is home to a beautiful gorge with awe-inspiring scenic overlooks and magnificent waterfalls. The most popular of these waterfalls is Fall Creek Falls for which the park is named. This waterfall, which cascades down 256 feet, is one of the tallest single vertical drop fall east of the Rocky Mountains. The park also offers Cane Creek Falls, Cane Creek Cascades, Piney Falls, and several other impressive falls. 

• Fall Creek Falls 256’
• Coon Creek Falls 250’
• Rockhouse Falls 125’
• Cane Creek Falls 85’
• Cane Creek Cascades 45'
• Piney Creek Falls 40’ (down onto a 45' cascade) 

Overnight Accommodations 

Fall Creek Falls State Park has on-site cabins, campsites and a beautiful lodge.  

Cumberland Mountain State Park is 50 minutes away with cabins and campsites centered around Byrd Lake.  

Emory Gap Falls is an 18-foot (7.6 m) plunge waterfall amidst the headwaters of Flat Fork on the southeast slope of Bird Mountain. DeBord Falls, a 12-foot (3.7 m) plunge waterfall, is located along Flat Fork approximately .6 miles from the Panther Branch trailhead. 

• Emory Gap Falls 19’ freefall (23' to splash pool)
• Debord Falls 12’ 

Overnight Accommodations 

Frozen Head State Park has on-site primitive campsites.  

Norris Dam is one hour away with cabins and campsites on Norris Lake. 

Along the Duck River, there are two larger waterfalls. Bluehole Falls, which is a short hike from the park museum, plunges into a magnificent blue pool and stands at nearly 30 feet in height. Big Falls, the largest of the falls at Old Stone Fort, is the most iconic falls on the property standing at over 30 feet in height. 

• Big Falls 30’
• Bluehole Falls 30’ 

Overnight Accommodations 

Old Stone Fort State Park offers on-site campsites.  

Tims Ford State Park is 40 minutes away with cabins and campsites on Tims Ford Lake.  

Some waterfalls are located on trails and some are easily viewed from overlooks. Two of the park’s largest waterfalls (Twin Falls 80’ and Great Falls 30’) can be easily seen from adjoining parking area overlooks. 

Safety Information 

Always use caution in the gorge. Water may rise rapidly. Monitor your surroundings. Leave the gorge immediately if water begins to rise or you hear TVA warning sirens. Watch for slick rocks and swift currents. Do NOT jump into water of unknown depths. Swimming or wading is not allowed in all areas from TVA’s powerhouse downstream all the way down to the main beach boat ramp. This includes areas by the “powerhouse”, “Twin Falls” and “Blue Hole” due to hidden and deadly currents. 

• Twin Falls 80’
• Badger Falls 30’
• Badger Flat Falls 20’
• Great Falls 20’
• Lower Great Falls 10’ 

Overnight Accommodations 

Rock Island State Park offers on-site cabins and campsites. 
Edgar Evins State Park is 1 hour away with cabins and campsites overlooking Center Hill Lake.  

The waterfalls in the list below that include the (SW) designation denote areas where there is enough water in the plunge pool to swim or wade in under normal (not dry) conditions. 

Safety Information 

Please note that jumping from waterfalls or cliffs is prohibited in any park area. For those interested, rock climbing is allowed with a permit in designated areas at Fiery Gizzard State Park. Visit the park's rock climbing page to learn more and obtain a permit. 

• Horsehair Falls 80’
• Foster Falls 60’ (SW)
• Denny Falls
• Yellow Pine Falls 15’
• Sycamore Falls 12’ (SW)
• Hanes Hole Falls 10’ (SW)
• Blue Hole Falls 9’ (SW)
• Collins River 

Overnight Accommodations 

Fiery Gizzard State Park offers on-site primitive and backcountry campsites.  

Greeter Falls drops over a 15-foot upper ledge and then plummets over a 50-foot lower ledge into a cold, clear plunge pool. Savage Creek enters its gorge over cascades and drops 30 feet at Savage Falls. Collins River and Ranger Creek have waterfalls that drop over limestone ledges and flow into sinks where they disappear. The waterfalls in the list below that include the (SW) designation denote areas where there is enough water in the plunge pool to swim or wade in under normal (not dry) conditions. 

Safety Information 

Please note that jumping from waterfalls or cliffs is prohibited in any park area. 

• Greeter Falls 50’(SW)
• Suter Falls 50’
• Boardtree Falls 30’
• Ranger Creek Falls 30’
• Savage Falls 30’ (SW)
• Horsepound Falls 25’ (SW)
• Laurel Falls 25’ 

Overnight Accommodations 

Savage Gulf State Park offers on-site backcountry campsites. Also nearby, Fiery Gizzard offers primitive and backcountry campsites.