Swim At The Bottom Of A Tiered Waterfall After The 1-Mile Hike To Cummins Falls In Tennessee
By Meghan Kraft|Published July 13, 2020
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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.
There’s nothing that says “Tennessee” more than a hike to a gushing, wild, stony waterfall. The state has a ream of limestone that runs beneath the surface – hence the “Ol’ Rocky Top” moniker – and its drastic cutaways and crevices have created stunning waterways throughout the state. One such beautiful natural feature is found at Cummins Falls, a locally lauded waterfall that requires a small hiking investment and promises a whole lot of beauty and fun. Learn all about it below, and perhaps plan a trip for yourself!
Cummins Falls State Park is located on a rugged stretch of the Cumberland Plateau just north of Cookeville, Tennessee. The Blackburn Fork State Scenic River runs through the heart of it and provides a myriad of beautiful, natural views.
The hike to the falls is fairly quick, at a little over a mile to the falls and back. The loop tends to be very popular and is accessible all year long.
You can bring your dog as long as it remains on a leash, and know that you'll be regaled with stunning views from every angle. Hiking through the gorges of Cummins Falls State Park will also give you a firsthand look at the wildlife of the area and natural beauty of the state.
You'll hear the falls before you see them, but once you catch sight of this famed natural legend, it's a view you'll never forget. Cummins Falls is 75 feet tall, and the two-tiered natural wonder is the eighth-largest waterfall in the state of Tennessee.
Bring a picnic lunch and some sunscreen, because at the foot of the falls is one of the most popular natural swimming holes in the state. Since the falls are situated right outside of Cookeville, a cute and petite Tennessee town, you can even pick up takeout and bring it along. Just make sure to get rid of your trash!
Bring water shoes to protect your feet, and make sure you are careful on the rocks. Cummins Falls is beautiful, but also dangerous. There's a healthy respect required for the slippery rocks and hollows that lie beneath.