Fall Creek Falls State Park

Fall Creek Falls State Park - Pikeville, TN

April 24, 2014

Today was the first day of a three day adventure in central Tennessee. Fall Creek Falls is probably one of my favorite destinations overall, and we barely scratched the surface of everything there is to do there.  We started by hiking the steep Base of Fall Creek Falls Trail.  The trail was only 0.4 miles long, but it was very difficult, especially on the way back up!

At the base of the waterfall.

I loved the waterfall so much, I decided to sing a song.

After hiking back up, we enjoyed a picnic lunch.  We then hiked from the Fall Creek Falls Overlook to the Nature Center.  After a nerve wracking trek over a suspension bridge, we realized we did not come prepared.  I wish I had brought my bathing suit!

One does not simply cross a 200 foot suspension bridge...

Near the Nature Center there is an swimming hole area where tons of people were hanging out in and around the water.  There were small waterfalls that kids were using as water slides.  It was a really cool place!

My brother and I playing in the creek.  Even dogs were enjoying the water!

After spending some time in the creek, we hiked back to the Fall Creek Falls Overlook.  The hike to the Nature Center had some nice overlooks of the gorge and other waterfalls.  The hike back was shorter and a lot easier, and I'm glad because I was tired!  We will definitely come back and be more prepared to spend time in the water.

For more information, please visit http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/fall-creek-falls

Notes for parents:
We definitely will come back to this park.  We did not know prior to coming that there was an amazing place to swim and wade threw the shallows, so next time we will be more prepared.  The hike from Fall Creek Falls Overlook down to the base of the falls was short, but lost a lot of elevation in the 0.4 miles we hiked.  Coming back up was difficult and took more time with our kids.  The hikes to and from the Nature Center back to the Fall Creek Falls Overlook were very manageable with our two children.  There is a TON of stuff to do in this park, so plan accordingly if you'd like to spend more than one afternoon like we did.