Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
200.00 ft (60.96 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
1.10 mi (1.77 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Fall Creek Falls State Park is the largest and most visited park in Tennessee. Visitors come in from all over just to see the beautiful waterfalls this unique place has to offer. The park includes 26,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, which is home to virgin hardwood timber and several species of wildlife. Here you will also find gorges, cascades, waterfalls, and streams scattered throughout the park.

While there are several trails to enjoy throughout the park, the Gorge Overlook Trail is one that you don’t want to miss. This trail is only 1.1 miles long, and it is easy on your feet. You can hop on this trail just west of the Betty Dunn Nature Center. You will see some showers and restrooms directly next to the parking lot, and the trail starts just beyond those. While you are on the path you will see a few sign markers notating overlooks that can be seen by leaving the main trail by less than 50 feet. Cane Creek Overlook is one that you don’t want to miss. Once you get on the trail, go right and follow this around for about a half-mile. Here you will see signs referring to the Cane Creek Gorge Overlook. Take a right and go feast your eyes on the beautiful waterfall. The gorge opens and makes you feel welcomed to be there. You might notice a small water stream closer to you, but if you can’t see it, walk around to the drop off and you should be able to clearly see. While you are in this exact spot, take some time to get closer to the rock face and see over into the gorge. If it is warm, you might see some people swimming in the creek at the bottom of the falls. Once you finish hanging out here for a little while, go back to the trail and head right. This will return you to the trail you were on earlier. A few hundred yards from the last overlook you will see a sign pointing the path to view the Fall Creeks Falls. If you have some extra time, go and check it out. Now continue on the Gorge Overlook Trail that will loop you around to the east. While walking on this trail you will see a lot of water near the walking paths and the bridges that carry all the passengers into the park. Once you reach the parking lot you will have completed this nice little hike, and hopefully you will have memories that will bring you back to see the other trails this amazing park to offers.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Park entrance fee

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Heavy foot traffic in warmer seasons.

Cons

Water flows diminish in some seasons.

Trailhead Elevation

1,610.00 ft (490.73 m)

Highest point

1,660.00 ft (505.97 m)

Features

ADA accessible
Family friendly
Flushing toilets
Backcountry camping
Shelters
Geologically significant
Old-growth forest
Waterfalls
Big vistas
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Big Game Watching
Bird watching
Lodging

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Biking

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.