Denny Cove Falls in Tennessee is a perfect winter hiking destination to see overlooks and a massive waterfall.
If you have yet to explore Denny Cove Falls or other areas in the South Cumberland State Park, be sure to add this to your winter hiking bucket list. Keep reading to learn more details about this place and tips for your hike here.
South Cumberland State Park
Denny Cove Falls is part of the South Cumberland State Park. This unique Tennessee state park is comprised of 9 different areas spread out across 4 different counties. In total, the park contains over 30,000 acres to explore. Hiking, climbing, swimming, fishing and hunting are just some of the many ways this state park is enjoyed throughout the year. For its vast and various places, this just might be my favorite state park.
Denny Cove
Denny Cove Falls is located in an area simply named Denny Cove. It’s one of the closest areas to Chattanooga in the South Cumberland State Park. There’s 685 acres with hiking trails, climbing spots, and the 70-foot tall waterfall. In fact, this place is best known for its superb climbing environment, one of the best in Tennessee. While we were here, we were able to watch climbers from the trail. And, most of the parking lot was full of climbers, not hikers like ourselves.
When to Hike to Denny Cove Falls
Obviously, I said this is a great winter hike. Not only are the temperatures cooler, but Denny Cove Falls should also be really flowing. And, the views from the overlooks are more widespread because of there being fewer leaves in the way.
Since Denny Cove attracts many climbers, it’s a great place to hike because you might get the entire place to yourself. The climbers use a separate trail to access the climbing wall so the hikers can enjoy the scenery without getting in the way.
The Overlooks at Denny Cove
There are three specific overlooks that are easy to access. As you head down the main trail, you’ll eventually arrive at a fork. From here you go right towards the first set of overlooks, or go left to head towards the third overlook and Denny Cove Falls.
The first set of overlooks require a gradual, uphill climb over a short distance. I didn’t measure the exact distance but from what I can tell, it’s close to half a mile out. At the time, I didn’t realize there were two specific overlooks. The trail actually dead ends at the second of the two. We just enjoyed the first one which is to the left of the trail. From what I’ve read, this is the better one anyways. The overlook trail is marked with blue blazes so it’s easy to stay on course.
The third overlook is back on the main trail headed towards Denny Cove Falls. It’s to the right side of the trail, and again, I didn’t measure how far down the trail it is. My best guess is that it’s around half a mile too. This one includes a pointed bluff that you can carefully walk to the edge of for some awesome views.
Hiking Tips at Denny Cove Falls
First of all, the driveway into Denny Cove is gravel and contains some small potholes. It’s fairly flat though so you don’t have to worry about climbing up or downhill in your vehicle. Most vehicles should be able to drive to the parking area without any issues. Also note, there are no restrooms at this trailhead.
When planning for your winter hike at Denny Cove Falls, be sure to keep an eye on the weather beforehand. If it has rained a lot recently, you might run into wet creek crossings and a flooded trail as you get closer to the falls. This tip is from my friend who visited here last February and ran into this exact scenario. When we went in late December though, the trail wasn’t flooded and the creeks were crossable while staying dry.
This hike is also known for being rocky. However, I found it to be described as scarier than it actually is. The hike down to Denny Cove Falls is about a quarter of a mile across the top of the Cumberland Plateau, then a gradual descent down the side of the plateau for just over a mile before you reach the waterfall. Overall, the hike is not too difficult and although there are some rock fields to navigate, they are in somewhat flat and wide areas making it a more comfortable experience to carefully walk across.
In Closing
I let my fear of rocks keep me from exploring this spot sooner. So many people told me it’s a rocky hike, and although this is true, I would say the rocks only cover a small portion of the hike. As a whole, I found this hike to be significantly easier than I had anticipated given this info. So, don’t be afraid. Grab your Adventure Buddy and plan a winter hike to Denny Cove Falls this season.
If I haven’t convinced you yet, watch this video of my first experience hiking to Denny Cove Falls. And let me know what you think in the comments below. Have a question I didn’t answer? Comment below or reach me faster by shooting me a DM on Instagram. I’m always happy to help in any way that I can.
I look forward to hiking to Denny Cove Falls again and this time seeing all three overlooks, not just two. Until then, enjoy exploring Chatt!
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