Cane Creek Cascades - Fall Creek Falls State Park

Fall Creek Falls State Park is Tennessee's largest and most popular park. Located in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, the park is accessible from TN 30 and TN 111. The park is about a two hour drive from both Nashville and Knoxville and about 1½ hours from Chattanooga. TN 284 bisects the park and connects to TN 30 north of the park and TN 111 south of the park.

After several days of rain in February 2018, I took a day trip to the park to see the waterfalls. The 45 foot high Cane Creek Cascades is located behind the Betty Dunn Nature Center just downstream of the suspension bridge over the creek. Normally, it is a very short stroll on a flagstone walkway and wooden stairs from the parking area to the cascade, but the Nature Center and surrounding area are undergoing an extensive restoration effort so a bit more effort is required to view the cascades.

A temporary new trail head for the Woodland Trail has been constructed at the southeast end of the parking area. The new trail quickly descends to the creek-side and reaches the suspension bridge in about 300 feet. A short walk beyond the suspension bridge leads to an overlook of the cascades.

New trail head

An ephemeral stream flows into Cane Creek

Rapids on Cane Creek

Standing waves

Approaching the suspension bridge

Passing under the suspension bridge

Suspension bridge from the top of the cascades

Cane Creek Cascades

Entry to Fall Creek Falls State Park is free.

The park website is http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/fall-creek-falls.