Fall Creek Falls Hiking
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)
  • A sunlit forest path with tall green trees on both sides. Sunbeams filter through the foliage, casting warm light and gentle shadows on the road, creating a serene, peaceful atmosphere.
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    A serene river flows through a rocky canyon lined with lush trees. Autumn leaves add vibrant orange touches, creating a peaceful, natural scene.

    Hiking at Fall Creek Falls  

    Fall Creek Falls State Park features over 56 miles of hiking trails, allowing for a range of day hikes or overnight adventures. Hikers can opt for short or long walks around the lake and to and from the base of Fall Creek Falls.  

    The Betty Dunn Nature Center, located near the North entrance of the park, is a popular trailhead. Trail information is available inside the Nature Center.  

    Trails also originate or can be linked from the Taft Village area, campground, lodge, Piney Creek Group Camp entrance gate, the Fall Creek Falls parking lot, and the Piney Falls parking lot. 

    Trails

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    • Base of Falls Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      0.35 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Starting at the Fall Creek Falls Overlook, visitors will hike down to the base of the falls. Please note this is a very strenuous hike, as visitors will have a steep incline on the way back out.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Base of Falls Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Starting at the Fall Creek Falls Overlook, visitors will hike down to the base of the falls. Please note this is a very strenuous hike, as visitors will have a steep incline on the way back out.
      Distance
      0.35 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 19.90'
      Loss 82.90'
      Grade
      Typical 5.3%
      Max 26.2%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 2.2%
      Max 13.0%
      Tread Width
      Typical 39"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Rock 55.6%; Soil 42.4%; Wood decking 2%
      Obstructions Exist
      Steps: 15 in tall; Staircase: 15 in tall; Rock step: 15 in tall

      Cable Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      0.10 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Starting at the Paw Paw Trail, visitors will hike to the bottom of the Cane Creek Falls and Rock House Falls. Please note, this is an extremely strenuous hike and should only be attempted by those prepared to hike it.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Chinquapin Ridge Mountain Bike Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      5.45 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      Located at the south end of the park between the Newton Ford Picnic Area and Group Lodge 1, this double-track trail allows mountain bikers to visit some of the more remote areas of the park. This trail has several moderate inclines/declines with some creek crossings.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking Mountain Biking

      Fall Creek Bike Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      0.65 mi.
      Difficulty
      Easy
      Surface
      Paved
      Starting at the Dam, visitors can hike to the Fall Creek Falls Overlook and then continue another 0.90 Miles to Piney Creek Falls.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Biking Hiking

      Gilbert Gaul Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      4.15 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      This trail follows the shore of Fall Creek Lake with several open water views.
      Availability
      Open Seasonal
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Lake Bike Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      1.30 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Paved
      Starting at the Lodge or the Dam, visitors can hike along the shoreline of Fall Creek Falls Lake. Hikers have the opportunity to connect to the Fall Creek Bike Trail from this trail.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Biking Hiking wheelchair

      Lake Bike Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Starting at the Lodge or the Dam, visitors can hike along the shoreline of Fall Creek Falls Lake. Hikers have the opportunity to connect to the Fall Creek Bike Trail from this trail.
      Distance
      1.30 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Paved
      Allowed
      Biking Hiking wheelchair
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 51.90'
      Loss 75.20'
      Grade
      Typical 1.7%
      Max 9.2%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 2.8%
      Max 10.0%
      Tread Width
      Typical 73"
      Minimum 60"
      Surface Type
      Asphalt 100%
      Obstructions Exist
      Erosion 3 inches deep

      Link Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      4.45 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      Starting at the Piney Creek Camp, hikers can go around the lake and into the backcountry.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Overlook Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      0.65 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Starting at the Betty Dunn Nature Center, this trail features three opportunities to view waterfalls from an overlook.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Overlook Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Starting at the Betty Dunn Nature Center, this trail features three opportunities to view waterfalls from an overlook.
      Distance
      0.65 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 49.40'
      Loss 121.40'
      Grade
      Typical 4.5%
      Max 28.1%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 1.9%
      Max 12.2%
      Tread Width
      Typical 41"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Soil 85.5%; Sand 13.3%; Wood decking 1.1%
      Obstructions Exist
      Rocks: 12 inches tall

      Paw Paw Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      2.50 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      Starting at the Betty Dunn Nature Center, this trail features three opportunities to view the Cane Creek Gorge at the different overlooks.
      Availability
      Open Seasonal
      Allowed
      Hiking

    • Piney Creek Mountain Bike Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      6.80 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      This trail starts at the Piney Creek Camp parking area which starts at the gate. Visitors should use this trail to access the Piney Backcountry campsites.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking Mountain Biking

      Piney Falls Path

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      0.90 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Paved
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Biking Hiking

      Piney Falls Path

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      0.90 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Paved
      Allowed
      Biking Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 127.60'
      Loss 29.60'
      Grade
      Typical 3.2%
      Max 13.8%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 3.6%
      Max 12.3%
      Tread Width
      Typical 71"
      Minimum 42"
      Surface Type
      Asphalt 100%
      Obstructions Exist
      Broken asphalt: 48 in of tread remaining; Tree root: 24 in of tread remaining; Dip: 3 in deep

      Prater Place Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      3.00 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      Starting near Cane Creek, hikers will have the opportunity to view Hemlock Falls.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Turkey Pen Ridge Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      0.60 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Starting at either the Visitor's Center or the Taft Village, hikers will traverse the Cumberland Plateau and connect to the Woodland Trail.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Turkey Pen Ridge Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Starting at either the Visitor's Center or the Taft Village, hikers will traverse the Cumberland Plateau and connect to the Woodland Trail.
      Distance
      0.60 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 9.70'
      Loss 43.40'
      Grade
      Typical 2.1%
      Max 21.5%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 2.3%
      Max 13.5%
      Tread Width
      Typical 46"
      Minimum 36"
      Surface Type
      Sand 74.3%; Soil 19.7%; Gravel 5.9%
      Obstructions Exist
      Tree root: 4 in tall; Tree root: 3 in tall; Tree roots: 3 in tall

      Upper Loop Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      13.60 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      The 13.5-mile single-track Upper Loop Trail follows a little used backpacker trail. Because the trail was initially designed for backpacking, it contains some tight and twisty singletrack interlaced with open and flowing sections. The trail goes over rolling hills, with rocky sections and a few nice climbs. The Upper Loop can be accessed from the north entrance at the original park headquarters.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Wheeler Farm Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      1.50 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Starting north of the park, this loop trail features both a natural arch and seasonal waterfalls.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Woodland Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Distance
      0.95 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Starting at on the suspension bridge, visitors will be able to see Fall Creek Falls at the Overlook.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Woodland Trail

      Fall Creek Falls State Park
      Starting at on the suspension bridge, visitors will be able to see Fall Creek Falls at the Overlook.
      Distance
      0.95 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 143.20'
      Loss 137.90'
      Grade
      Typical 5.8%
      Max 25.8%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 4.4%
      Max 17.2%
      Tread Width
      Typical 57"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Soil 68.2%; Rock 9.9%; Asphalt 8.9%; Wood decking 5.6%; Sand 4.1%; Stairs 3.2%
      Obstructions Exist
      Rock steps: 16 in tall; Staircase: 8 in tall; Tree roots: 6 in tall

    Trail Definitions

    • Cross Slope 

      Describes the degree of incline from one side of the trail path to the other; measured as a percentage. Cross slope aids in water drainage and impacts the overall trail stability.   

    • Grade  

      Describes the rise in elevation over a horizontal distance on the trail; measured as a percentage.  Higher percentages represent a steeper grade indicating a more challenging ascent or descent for hikers.    

    • Standard Ramp Grade

      Serves as a reference guide for the grade of the trail.  Standard Ramp Grade is 8.3% across all trail assessments.  

    • Surface 

      A characteristic of the trail expressed in terms of material type, grading, compaction, and roughness of the path. Possible surface types include soil, gravel, paved, and mulch.   

    • Tread Width    

      Represents the horizontal distance from one edge of the trail path to the other; measurements can vary.  Tread width helps to determine the amount of space a hiker has to pass through. Obstacles on the trail can alter the remaining tread width.   

    • Trail Types: Loop

      Trail returns at or near the point from which you started. 

    • Trail Types: Network 

      Offers multiple route options within one trail, and each route is connected

    • Trail Types: Out and Back

      This type of trail travels out to an endpoint where hikers turn around and travel back to the starting point.   

    • Trail Types: Stacked Loop

      A loop trail contained completely within another trail.   

    Learn More About Trail Accessibility Information

    Need a Map?

    Explore our collection of printable and digital trail maps, organized by park. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or paddling, you’ll find the resources you need to navigate confidently.

     

    Find a Park Map

    Discover More at Fall Creek Falls

    Visit Our Gift Shops

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

     
      • Small, cozy boutique interior with clothing and accessories displayed on wooden shelves.

      Betty Dunn Nature Center Gift Shop

      10821 Park Road, Spencer, TN 38585

      Open daily from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

      • Dark wooden building with an American flag and people on the porch under clear skies.

      Boat Dock Gift Shop

      1996 Village Camp Road, Spencer, TN 38585

      Open seasonal hours

      • Indoor shop display with plush toys and clothing racks.

      Visitor Center Gift Shop

      2009 Village Camp Road, Spencer, TN 38585

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

    No events are scheduled at this time, but there's always more to explore.

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