Lost Creek Falls is hidden in a small cove where you can walk 360 degrees around it and see one of Tennessee’s largest caves.
We found it, it’s no longer lost! Alright, all jokes aside, this place is breathtaking. A tall waterfall and some crazy caves make this trip worthwhile. And some movie scenes were shot here! Keep reading to learn more about this amazing place that is known as Lost Creek State Natural Area.
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Lost Creek State Natural Area
Lost Creek is a State Natural Area located near Sparta, TN. It contains one of Tennessee’s largest caves with over seven miles explored. But the main attraction is the waterfall. This 40 foot tall waterfall is very similar to the other waterfalls in this area. It’s sourced from a cave which then falls below into another cave. You’ll see what I mean if you read my post about Big Laurel Falls that’s nearby.
Speaking of Big Laurel Falls, you can access the trail to that waterfall from this area too! There’s a trailhead to Virgin Falls (on the same trail) as well as Rylander Cascades. But from what I’ve read, Rylander Cascades is typically dry in the summertime. I look forward to visiting this section of trail later in the winter or spring during the wet seasons.
Did you know that Disney’s 1994 live-action movie “Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book” was partly filmed here? Not only does the Lost Creek Falls and Cave look like a real jungle, additional waterfall areas were chosen for this movie too. Such as Fall Creek Falls and Ozone Falls which you can also visit. I have a day trip guide to Fall Creek Falls and a day trip guide to Crossville which features Ozone Falls if you’d love to explore more.
What to Expect at Lost Creek Falls
Lost Creek State Natural Area is open from sunrise to sunset, all year long. There’s ample parking at the trailhead, but no restrooms. The drive out to the trailhead is rather long on a back country road, but it’s easy to find with GPS.
The Trails
When you arrive at the trailhead, you may notice there’s two trails. The main trail is to the right. The hike down to Lost Creek Falls is very short. However, it is all downhill which means your hike out is uphill. The short distance makes it very manageable and there’s a good resting point halfway up the stairs with a good view of the Lost Creek Cave. Overall the hike down to the waterfall is less than a quarter of a mile. The trail is well-worn with a mixture of natural slopes and man-made steps.
If you take the steep, left trail at the trailhead, it will take you to the top of Lost Creek Falls. It is also short in length and very well worth checking out. From here you can see Lost Creek that feeds the waterfall emerging from a collapsed cave. And if you’re extremely careful, you can hike down a little closer to the edge that overlooks the waterfall from above.
Lost Creek Falls
Due to the placement of the waterfall and cave, a cool draft can be felt as you descend between the two. When we visited one late August, it was a humid day and somewhat warm. As we hiked down towards the waterfall we could feel the atmosphere change drastically. The air became lighter, cooler, and clearer. You could even see fog rising up at the cave due to the change.
Lost Creek Cave
If you want to check out the cave entrance, you can follow the creekbed to it from the base of the falls. It’s a very short distance and definitely worth checking out. It’s very rocky though so proceed with caution. And don’t venture into the cave without a permit which you can get for free from the website before your visit.
The cave is home to the endangered Indiana Bats that are federally protected. In fact, the cave is closed during hibernation and swarming season to help them continue to thrive. Adventuring into these caves is very dangerous and should not be taken lightly. That is why you must obtain a permit from the state in order to do so. Learn more about caving in Tennessee on their website. This is also where you’ll find the permit information you’ll need.
Make a Lost Creek Adventure Day
Lost Creek State Natural Area is worth the hour and a half drive from Chattanooga. In fact, this trip is one of my favorite scenic drives, if you take Highway 111.
It’s easy to spend a couple hours at Lost Creek exploring the waterfall, entrance of the cave, and the trail that goes to the upper creek. Relax by Lost Creek Falls and wade into the water, maybe even stand under the waterfall if you’re careful. See the grandeur of the Lost Creek Cave at the mouth of it. Climb the trail up above the waterfalls and see its source as well as a new perspective from above.
Make this day trip suit you. Want to spend the entire day hiking? Then don’t stop after Lost Creek Falls, cross the parking lot and check out Rylander Cascades and Dry Creek Falls as well. And if you’re an avid hiker, you might be able to squeeze in a trek to Virgin Falls. Do note that this is a challenging hike with lots of elevation changes and long mileage.
Would you rather take it easy? Just visit Lost Creek State Natural Area and spend some time exploring the small town of Sparta afterwards. Grab lunch or dinner at Yanni’s Grille. Afterwards you can check out South Carter Street River Park, a few blocks down. Here you can enjoy the walking path that crosses Calfkiller River. (Yes, that’s the name of the river that runs through downtown Sparta.) And see the Old Sparta Cemetery where you’ll be shocked by the age of some of the headstones.
Closing Thoughts
I can’t wait to go back and check out Rylander’s Cascades and Dry Creek Falls. I still need to make that hike to Virgin Falls too. One of these days!
Be sure to watch the video version of our explorations. And save Lost Creek State Natural Area on your map for a visit. Tell me about your adventures at Lost Creek Falls below, I’d love to hear about them! Until next time, enjoy exploring Chatt!
More Hikes to Explore Nearby:
- Big Laurel Falls at Virgin Falls
- Prater Place Trail to Hemlock Falls
- Wheeler Farm Loop at Fall Creek Falls
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Thank you for sharing this- we visited today and it was amazing!
That’s awesome! Thanks for letting me know 🙂 It’s the perfect weather right now for visiting this place too!