Fall Creek Falls Birding

Notification Alert

Trail Closures

Fall Creek Falls State Park

In August 2023, Fall Creek Falls State Park was impacted by a tornado. Please see the updates below regarding the current status of park availability due to past storm damage.

The following areas remain closed:

Piney Falls Trail (FCF parking lot to Piney Falls parking lot)
Millikan's Overlook Trail (overlook is open, trail is closed)

Waterfall cascading into a green forest pool under a rocky overhang.

bald eagle resting on a branch in the treetops in the winter

Birding at Fall Creek Falls 

Fall Creek Falls is filled with deep gorges, dense and diverse woods, and bluff-top vistas, attracting a wide array of bird life year-round. 

From the wide, panoramic views, such as famous Buzzard’s Roost, migratory broad-winged and other “buzzard hawks” soar with resident turkey and black vultures, frequently at eye level.

The bluff-tops also offer a peek into the canopy, with close looks at vibrantly colored warblers, vireos, and other neotropical migrants from mid-March to October.

Year-round residents include barred owls, red-headed woodpeckers, Cooper’s hawks, and white-breasted nuthatches. Fall Creek Lake provides viewing opportunities in the winter for a variety of transient ducks, loons, and bald eagles. 

One hundred and eighty-five species of birds have been observed throughout the year.

Featured Birds

Woodland Birds
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Wild Turkey
Eastern Screech-Owl
Great Horned Owl
Pileated Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Eastern Whip-poor-will
White-breasted Nuthatch
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Wood Thrush
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Worm-eating Warbler
Great Crested Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-tailed Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Barn Swallow
Wood Duck
Great Blue Heron
Common Loon
White Ibis
Northern Harrier
Yellow-breasted Chat
Red-headed Woodpecker
Northern Bobwhite
Orchard Oriole
Mallard
Gadwall
Northern Shoveler
Gull
Bald Eagle
Bay-breasted Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Northern Bobwhite
Dickcissel
Blue Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Yellowthroat
Henslow’s Sparrow
Hawk

Responsible Birding

Do not endanger the welfare of birds.
Tread lightly and respect bird habitat.
Silence is golden.
Do not use electronic sound devices to attract birds during nesting season, May-July.
Take extra care when in a nesting area.
Always respect the law and the rights of others, violators subject to prosecution.
Do not trespass on private property.
Avoid pointing your binoculars at other people or their homes.
Limit group sizes in areas that are not conducive to large crowds.

Birding Locations

A hiking map is available at the park.

Paw Paw Trail

Featured birds: Woodland Birds, Warblers, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Wild Turkey

Starting at the Betty Dunn Nature Center, this trail features three opportunities to view the Cane Creek Gorge at the different overlooks.
Wheeler Farm Loop

Featured birds: Black-throated Green Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Wood Thrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Worm-eating Warbler

This trail traverses a variety of habitats, including oak-hickory forest, hemlock forest, and open fields. 
Millikan's Overlook

Featured birds: Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Turkey Vulture

This overlook provides a superb view into Cane Creek gorge. 
Gilbert Gaul Trail

Featured birds: Barn Swallow, Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, Common Loon

This trail follows the shore of Fall Creek Lake with several open water views.
Yuchi Wildlife Management Area: Observation Tower

Featured birds: White Ibis, Northern Harrier, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-headed Woodpecker, Northern Bobwhite

The refuge is especially important for sandhill cranes, grassland birds, and waterfowl. 140 species of birds have been identified. 

Wildlife Management Areas
Hiwassee Refuge: Observation Platform

Featured birds: Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Gull, Great Blue Heron

The refuge has the largest winter flock of sandhill cranes in the Southeast outside of Florida. The Tennessee Sandhill Crane Festival is held here in January. Over 170 species of birds have been identified. 

Wildlife Management Areas
Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness: Entrance

Featured birds: Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Eastern Whip-poor-will

Seven hundred acres of native warm-season grass occurs near the main entrance, but most of the area is forested with hardwoods and various stages of pine plantation. Over 90 species of birds identified. 

Wildlife Management Areas

Helpful Birding Links

Discover More at Fall Creek Falls

Visit Our Gift Shops

Fall Creek Falls State Park has three gift shops throughout the park.

Betty Dunn Nature Center Gift Shop

10821 Park Road, Spencer, TN 38585

Open daily from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Boat Dock Gift Shop

1996 Village Camp Road, Spencer, TN 38585

Open seasonal hours
Visitor Center Gift Shop

2009 Village Camp Road, Spencer, TN 38585

Open daily from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM