See The Tallest Waterfall In Tennessee At Fall Creek Falls State Park
By Meghan Kraft|Updated on March 25, 2024(Originally published October 20, 2019)
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
Tennessee is ripe with waterfalls, from the cascades that stud the Mississippi to the cavernous maw of the Great Smoky Mountains. The entire state is known for its natural beauty, of course, but it’s those incredible natural water features that really make their mark. Fall Creek Falls State Park is the most-visited state park in the state and for good reason – it’s the home of the biggest waterfall in Tennessee. Can you guess what it is…?
Fall Creek Falls State Park straddles Van Buren and Bledsoe counties, and it takes up over 26,000 acres. It's located on the upper Cane Creek Gorge, an area that's known for its stunning geological majesty.
This park is stunningly beautiful any time of the year you visit from the lush forested overlooks to the breathtaking water features. This is also one of the biggest state parks in Tennessee and of course home to Fall Creek Falls which is the tallest waterfall in Tennessee.
Fall Creek Falls itself is a 256-foot waterfall that's located just to the west of Cane Creek. It's a plunge pool, one that ebbs and flows depending on the season.
Being the largest waterfall in Tennessee it is easy to see why this park is so popular. We can tell you from experience, that this park is well worth the visit from anywhere you call home in the state. We would even go as far as to say that this park is a great destination for anyone traveling from outside of the state too. Trust us, it is worth the drive.
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Of course, the entire park is rife with waterfalls. From the gushing Cane Creek Cascades to the 95-foot Piney Creek Falls, the entire plain is studded with natural, water-based wonders.
The park is filled with unique and fun experiences like hiking down a steep trail down the gorge where you use ropes to steady your descent. If that sounds too harrowing to you then adventure across a pedestrian suspension bridge over a waterfall. The park is truly an amazing place to explore for every nature lover.
Still, at 256 feet, Fall Creek Falls not only holds the title of the tallest waterfall in Tennessee but also the eastern United States. You heard it here first, folks. Fall Creek Falls is the highest waterfall you'll find this side of the Mississippi.
Fall Creek Falls is a great trail to explore any time of the year from the wintery chill of a crystalized water formation to a cool misty refresher during the warm days of summer.
Beautiful any time of year, the hike to Fall Creek Falls is perhaps one of the best in the state. If you're trying to see the namesake falls themselves, you can either park at the Fall Creek Falls Overlook or perhaps take the Base of Fall Creek Falls Trail. This trail will take you over half a mile downhill to see the waterfall from its watery underbelly.
We have completed this trail before and remains one of our favorite Tennessee hikes to this day. If you are physically able then this trail is a must while visiting the state park. The downhill trail will take you steadily down a cliffside through a series of stairs and has plenty of amazing features along the way to enjoy. Some of our favorites on the trail include the cave and giant rock scramble near the towering limestone cliff. It is something you just have to experience to fully appreciate.
Do you dare to wander? Fall Creek Falls State Park is open all year round, and it's fun for the whole family.
Have you ever seen the biggest waterfall in Tennessee yourself? Let us know what your experience was in the comments below. Don’t forget to get the AllTrails app before you go, it is a must-have tool for us whenever we go hiking. If you’re looking for more information, you can find it by way of the Fall Creek Falls State Park website. Happy adventuring, Tennessee! Fall Creek Falls State Park is worth a multi-day adventure so if you would like to extend your stay check out this Wooded Retreat Cabin. It is easy to see how you can plan a whole vacation around this wonderful state park.
If you’re looking for more incredible adventures then make sure you check out more of our Tennessee state parks.
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What are some of the highest waterfalls in Tennessee?
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