You need a permit to walk all the way down to the falls and it is a very challenging hike. They…read morelimit the amount sold so it does sell out. The gorge does flood so def watch the safetyvide. we wouldn't have made it without out hiking poles. It was my first time using them but theybare game changer for hills and uneven terrain. We had to cross a river ... not creek. Climbing over rocks and boulders. River rocks are sooo slippery. Shoes should have good tread. This was challenging and truthful doubt I'd do it again. Water was cold. But falls are beautiful.

Cummins Falls State Park is located 10 miles north of the town of Cookeville, in Central Tennessee…read more Can you go swimming at Cummins Falls??? Of course you can! It's a 1 mile hike down to the bottom of a gorge to reach a swimming hole Travel and Leisure Magazine rates...as one of the "10 Best in the United States"! It's $7 to gain access to the gorge. You can purchase passes online ahead of time at tnstateparks.com. Or, you can buy passes inside the Visitor Center the day of, but they allot only 200 tickets per day so depending upon the time of year, passes can sell out quickly especially during peak summers. Now...there is a waterfall overlook to check out but I think it'd be more worthwhile to get to Cummins Falls ASAP before the crowds arrive and you can always visit the lookout on the return trip back up towards the trailhead. Once you reach the river area, it's 6/10th's of a mile remaining until you arrive at the falls. Also, make sure to hang towards the left while hiking beside the river and (imo) it's imperative to be wearing water shoes as the creek is filled with sharp rocks and water levels reaching shin high. While hiking to Cummins Falls, you really get a sense for being in the heart of nature. I enjoyed the setting. Approaching the falls, it's 75 feet of cascading waters flowing down the cliffside and ideal for swimming. Best of all, visitors can climb the rocks and explore at their leisure making for an adventurous experience. Of course, it's a rite of passage to finish the experience in style by going swimming. The park opens at 8am. I'd suggest arriving as early as possible before it gets busy. The park closes at 6pm but there's a clearly stated sign that visitors must exit the gorge area by 5pm. One extra note...lifeguards are on duty at Cummins Falls throughout the day. When returning back up towards the trailhead, now head over to the lookout platform getting to admire Cummins Falls from high above. It makes for a photogenic perspective and is a clear reminder of why the great outdoors can be so special. Right nearby Cummins Falls SP are more local waterfalls to check out including...Fall Creek Falls, Burgess Falls, Ozone Falls, Virgin Falls, Piney Falls and Stinging Fork Falls, just to name a few.

Beautiful state park! Highly recommended for a relax hike and for great scenery. Parking is limitedread more

This was a beautiful park. The falls were spectacular. The hike was an easy one and didn't take…read morelong to get to the falls outlook. I'm almost 63 and had no problem. The trail to the bottom was closed unfortunately.

Quick excursion but still worth the stop! Short trek down a fairly easy path to a beautiful…read morewaterfall.

This is a beautiful place to visit and enjoy nature. One of Southeast Tennessee's hidden gems. The…read moreHike to the bottom is very strenuous, lots of slick rocks and steep inclines over rocks. All the work is well worth the hazards.

I would have really liked to have seen this place when it was a public fun spot. I've read reviews…read moreof people getting married here with fond memories of coming as a kid. I ve read of people feeding the ducks, kayaking, hiking, camp fires. It sounds amazing. I am reviewing it for what it is now, not what it used to be. Now, the Wheel House is an Airbnb. The mini golf is open and free for the guests. The grounds are still able to be explored, but not meant to be functional. My daughter and I spent two nights here. The Wheel House is clean, nice and updated. It has a bedroom upstairs with the bath. The downstairs is a kitchen, couch/sleeper. There is a TV both upstairs and down. There is no Wifi (this is clear in their listing), but the cell reception for me was strong. The hosts provided us with some complementary Gatorade, water and soda choices. There was also coffee available and a filtered water jug in the fridge. We arrived late, didn't have a chance to get to a store before arriving - those complementary drinks were very much appreciated! We had a great time here. We played mini golf, explored the old amusement park, went fishing (catch and release rules apply) - she caught 8 and I caught 5. It was everything we needed. And it's only 15 minutes to downtown Cookeville! The accommodations are comfortable. The brochures on what to do around Cookeville was also helpful. I enjoyed the stay here very much!

Absolutely love this place! Cute local area, good for photos or just a little nature walk. The park…read moreis good, and the kayaking is nice as well. Definitely a must go around Christmas for a cheap family outing.

This unassuming park slightly outside of Crossville packs a punch! There's a golf course, swimming…read morepool, camping, cabins, boat rentals, and more, as well as the nearby Homestead Tower Museum. I stayed in the Mill House Cabin, which is now one of my favorite rentals of all time! Sitting on the underside of the bridge, you have no neighbors shy of the ranger residence up a private driveway leading to the visitor center / aviary area. With great access to trails, walking distance to the restaurant, and pretty much central to everything while being secluded and private at the same time. I did one of the ranger-led night floats, for a little history and a night sounds segments, which was also amazing! The park is relatively near to Chattanooga or Fall Creek Falls as well if you are interested in day trips!

We love this TN State Park! Rangers are always super hospitable and the trails are well kept. Make…read moresure to visit the bridge in the Pioneer Loop Trail.

I love Cane Creek! Great walking trails? Beautiful lake to walk around! Excellent choice for a week…read moreday hike or the paddle boats are fun in the summer! Bring some bread and feed the ducks! Enjoy the weather and the beauty of nature that God gave us!

Great place to walk, bike, canoe or otherwise enjoy the outdoors. Not too far from anywhere in…read morethe city. Leaves are starting to change from the recent cold spell but today it has warmed up nicely!!

This was my favorite place in Tennessee ever! It's a beautiful twisty turny drive and the falls…read moreare not too far from the car. It is a steep downward walk then you must be able to walk over lots of rocks and back up to your car. You can go all around and under the waterfall and in the pool. It's shallow and perfect for kids. The rocks are slippery so have some water shoes. My mom and Auntie could only come down about 100 feet so they put their chairs on the steps and waited for us. Their is no bathroom around so use the restroom on the way. The cave is close to the falls and it feels like someone turned on the air conditioner. It is awesome on a hot summer day. But watch your steps carefully. The whole ground is full of boulders and loose rocks to step over and sometimes muddy soil. We finished our day driving to fall creek falls state park to see the views there.

We went here recently for a small hike. Great waterfall and a nice short hike for kids. The cave…read morewas closed for hypernating bats but looks amazing. I would definitely go back again