Fall Creek Falls Mountain Biking
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)
  • Two cyclists ride through a sunlit, tree-lined road. The leading cyclist wears a pink top and smiles, while the second cyclist follows, shaded by trees.
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    • A winding road flanked by vibrant autumn trees in shades of orange and yellow. Fallen leaves cover the road, evoking a serene and peaceful mood.

    Mountain Biking at Fall Creek Falls

    This page is dedicated to Mountain Bike Trails at Fall Creek Falls State Park. The park offers three mountain biking opportunities: the Piney Creek MTB Trail, the Chinquapin Ridge MTB Trail, and the Upper Loop, which is a multi-use trail. 

    We have also included the details on the two paved bike trails; however, please be respectful of the purpose of the paved trails to allow for greater accessibility for those who cannot use the mountain bike trails.  

    Trails 

      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

      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

      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

    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

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    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

    Fall Creek Falls Mountain Bike Trails

    Trail Length: 24 miles

    Trail Rating: Intermediate

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

    Find More Events

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    Other Activities at Fall Creek Falls State Park