A one-day itinerary for Fall Creek Falls State Park so you can enjoy the highlights of this huge Tennessee State Park in one take.
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Only have a day to enjoy Fall Creek Falls State Park? This park is huge and knowing where to start and what all to see is key. Wonder no more, I have the perfect one day Fall Creek Falls itinerary for you. Keep reading to learn how to plan your one day full of adventure.
Purchase a downloadable Google Map with all the stops listed in this post so you’re ready to explore Fall Creek Falls State Park!
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Fall Creek Falls is one of Tennessee’s largest and most popular state parks. With nearly 30,000 acres, 5 waterfalls within the main part of the park (including Tennessee’s tallest waterfall), and over 56 miles of hiking trails, to say this park is huge is an understatement. So, what’s the best way to get the most out of your visit to Tennessee’s favorite state park? Well, for starters, I highly suggest spending more than one day here by camping. But if your trip only allows room for one day at the park, don’t worry. I have the perfect one-day itinerary for you to see all the highlights this park has to offer.
Visitor’s Center
Before heading out to hike, I suggest stopping by the Visitor’s Center on your way into the park. Even if you’re here early before the park opens, you can still go inside to use the restrooms. Once the park opens there’s a gift shop and helpful info that can be found inside the Visitor’s Center. Remember that Fall Creek Falls State Park operates on central time.
One Day at Fall Creek Falls Itinerary
This is the best one-day park itinerary for Fall Creek Falls State Park. Follow this specific route and you’ll have an accomplished day at the park. I suggest getting an early start to your morning so you can avoid the crowds and get the most out of your day.
Cane Creek and Rockhouse Falls
Start your day at the Nature Center parking area and check out Cane Creek, Cane Creek Falls, Rockhouse Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades. First, walk to the overlook of the two waterfalls. Then walk down the wooden steps to enjoy Cane Creek and Cane Creek Cascades. You can wade in the waters if it’s warm weather and enjoy this area before it becomes full of people.
Nature Center
Once you’ve spent enough time at Cane Creek, head back up to the Nature Center. You can go inside the Nature Center and enjoy all they have to offer. There’s many animal displays, a movie theater about the park, and restrooms for you to use before heading out on your hike.
Gorge Overlook Trail
Once you’re done at the Nature Center, head over the suspension bridge and start your hike around the Gorge Overlook Trail. This can be found by hiking up the Woodland Trail and going right down the Gorge Overlook Trail as soon as you see the intersection for it. I highly suggest hiking down to the Cane Creek Falls Overlook, one of my favorites. There’s also the Cane Creek Gulf Overlook which isn’t much to see as it’s overgrown. And the Rocky Point Overlook which is a difficult climb. Read more about seeing the Rocky Point Overlook before attempting this one. The Gorge Overlook Trail will loop back around to the Woodland Trail so you can continue on your hiking journey.
Fall Creek Falls
You’ll soon cross the creek that turns into Fall Creek Falls. Here you’ll see where the old bridge got washed away in a flood earlier this year. The new bridge was made possible by the funds earned through the Trail Pack. A little further past this you’ll be at the overlook for the waterfall. From here you can decide if you want to hike down to the base of the falls or not. The hike down to Fall Creek Falls is about half a mile long (one way) and not too steep, but it’s all downhill and therefore all uphill coming back.
There are restrooms by the Fall Creek Falls Overlook you can use before starting your hike back to the parking lot at the Nature Center. When you start your hike back, don’t turn left to do the Gorge Overlook Trail again, just keep straight on the Woodland Trail. This will take you back to the Nature Center more directly.
Purchase a downloadable Google Map with all the stops listed in this post so you’re ready to explore Fall Creek Falls State Park!
Lunch
Now it’s lunchtime! If you want, you can pack a picnic to enjoy here at the park. There are picnic tables by the parking lot at the Nature Center. And the viewpoint area down Village Camp Road is another popular location next to upstream Cane Creek. If picnics aren’t your thing, drive over to the restaurant that has been newly renovated inside the lodge. Here you can enjoy a meal overlooking the lake on the patio or from inside this beautiful space.
Millikan’s Overlook and Buzzard’s Roost
After lunch, it’s time to drive around the Scenic Loop Road. About halfway down this one-way road you’ll see the pull-off for Millikan’s Overlook and Buzzard’s Roost. Be sure to stop here and enjoy the best panoramic views of the park from the wooden platform. You can also hike down below the platform a little ways to the nearest bluff and enjoy a more submersed view.
Piney Falls
Once you’ve taken in the views it’s time to drive to the final stop. Complete the Scenic Loop ending at Piney Falls. Get out and hike down the trail to the right to the Piney Falls Overlook. This is the best view of the waterfall, although distant. Since this part of the park is less popular, you may find you have the place to yourself to enjoy the serenity.
After taking it all in, you can consider this the end, or if you want to hike a little more, you can go the opposite direction. This trail eventually leads to the newest suspension bridge over Piney Creek. It’s a long bridge with scenic views. Although you can see Piney Falls briefly from this trail, the better view of the waterfall is from the overlook. On the other end of the bridge, the trail continues up into the woods. I have not hiked further than this on the 12-mile Lower Loop Trail. Instead, I just turn around and head back after enjoying the bridge.
Fall Creek Falls Souvenirs
If you want to buy a souvenir on your way out of the park, check out the Fall Creek Falls Outfitters in the Village. They have plenty of clothing and some small knick-knacks to choose from. Or stop by the Visitor’s Center where you’ll find a smaller gift shop with other souvenirs to choose from. This is also a great place to use the restroom before you leave the park.
Purchase a downloadable Google Map with all the stops listed in this post so you’re ready to explore Fall Creek Falls State Park!
In Closing
Fall Creek Falls is a large state park and one of Tennessee’s most popular ones. Because of this, it is challenging to really enjoy it in one day, but it is possible to, if you follow this itinerary. However, I highly suggest camping at Fall Creek Falls State Park to truly make the most of your visit.
Watch the video of this one-day trip to Fall Creek Falls to better understand what to expect. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve visited Fall Creek Falls State Park and what your favorite spot in the park is. I’d love to know! Until next time, enjoy exploring Chatt.
