This is kind of a strange park as several sites are distributed widely but considered under the…read moresame umbrella. I visited several, including their headquarters with a wounded hawk at the entrance, a rainforest-y loop trail, and a splendid-looking waterfall. Individually, the sites were nice but not the best the state has to offer, but when one considers the sum total of various environs and the fact that Tennessee state parks do not charge admission, I struggle to criticize. I noted that a park ranger gently pushed someone to leash their dog on the trail without getting into a confrontation.

Denny Cove Falls trail is a wonderful, moderate hike. Out & back to a gorgeous waterfall. The trail…read moreis well marked and maintained. It's a long gravel road to the parking lot dedicated just to this particular trailhead.

We had a great relaxing stay at the cabin. It was really cool to be that close to the falls.The…read morehost was amazing and had great recommendations for local things to do.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO VISIT MILLER FALLS in gorgeous Smokey Mountains!…read more Beautiful woods, creeks, rock climbing, camping, and brilliant weather. Campgrounds are clean, lots of amenities, and campground owners are super kind people! We stayed for 4 nights, and our campsite was $48/night before tax. We initially booked through HipCamp, but I'll definitely be booking with the owner directly (www.TNwaterfallgetaway.com) for all future visits to their campground! My fiance and I booked the TrampEase Tree Tent - one of seven beautiful, hand-built campsites that range from primitive to full-on glamping. Our campsite was a mix of both. It included an elevated yurt tent, fire pit, round table, 2 folding camping chairs, and a private composting toilet in a nearby outhouse. Not to mention a flowing creek less than 50 feet from the yurt! The tranquil sound of the creek flowing 24/7 was even better than sleep-sounds on my Google Home. LOL! Most of the campsites have drive-up access, though if you have a car that's particularly low to the ground (like a small sedan) you may not want to risk driving over the rocky road. We brought with us a 1" inflatable mattress pad, along with a sleeping bag, and 2 thick, warm blankets. Despite being mid-May, the average temps during our visit were 60-70 F during the day, and a chilly 40-45 F at night. Brilliant weather for snuggling, but we would have regretted not bringing a few extra blankets. Lots of hiking and trails to explore on their property, and at least a mile of rugged creek terrain that makes for a fun, albeit challenging day of rock climbing. Well worth it for the stunning views of the waterfalls, canyons, and mountainsides. There are also trails and lakes nearby for hiking, kayaking, and a number of other outdoor attractions in Tracy City. The owners, Grant & Becky, were such friendly people. My fiance and I had a lovely chat with them about philanthropy, community outreach, homestead farming, and more. They are warm, kind, and welcoming to people of all ages, races, religions, genders, identities, abilities, backgrounds, perspectives, and ideologies. They have done a lot of traveling and business throughout their lives, and now they are semi-retired in the rolling hills of Tennessee. Speaking of ability - the majority of the glamping sites have tents that are elevated from the ground; some, like the one we stayed in, required climbing a 10 foot ladder to enter/exit the tent. There are some other sites though that are more accessible with tents low to the ground, or primitive sites where you can pitch your own tent. Contact the owner (www.tnwaterfallgetaway.com/contact) to ask about the best accommodation options for you. They offer great amenities and fun activities around the property during your stay. The owners are big on being self-sufficient, so they love to offer fun learning experiences regarding farming, gardening, and homesteading. They also enjoy metal work and have some cool art pieces around their property. We even did a welding project (for a small fee) and made an original piece of art as a keepsake from our trip! You can also get some convenience items from the owners for a fee: firewood bundles, champagne & ice, property tours, guided tours of their city, and more. HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TRIP: Grant was also kind enough to swing by our campsite one morning to ask if we had any interest in bees! He has a few hives and some extra gear, so we got an up-close look into the hives! It was absolutely mesmerizing! And if all that weren't enough, their website www.TNwaterfallgetaway.com is chock-full of great tips for local hiking, waterfall views, kayaking, dining, and more! We had such a lovely time enjoying the outdoors, and look forward to going back for another visit!

Beautiful short hike on a rocky hill. The trail was lovely with lots of trees and I enjoyed seeing…read morethe waterfall! Such a beautiful spot in nature! I came during rainy season and the rocks were definitely slippery so please be mindful of that and were your hiking shoes to stay safe. If you come during/after the rain the falls run pretty good.

Nice easy trail. We came at the last week of October so we didn't really see the waterfall, but I…read morebet it looks great in the Spring. The trail was still stunning though with all the fall foliage which is the reason why we came. None of us are particularly fit but we managed just fine took us just so ver an hour each way. Next time I would bring a picnic. Another thing, check the weather before you go. It was quite warm for late October, we were shedding layers like there was no tomorrow. I wish I had worn a tank top. Also the terrain is not difficult but hiking shoes are definitely the best option, but you'd be fine wearing sneakers.

This was a beautiful State Park. Lots of amenities, picnic areas, bathrooms, camping spots. The…read morecabins were restricted to guests only so I didn't see them. The trails were perfect. A mixture of easy and not so easy. But this almost 63yo made it! The falls were gorgeous to behold. Would definitely return.

Amazing short hike down stairs and rocks to a beautiful rocky river bed filled with boulders, pools…read moreof clear water, cliffs dripping with water or actual water falls all over the cliffs. The cliff faces look like hanging gardens filled with native plants. Beautiful ferns cling to the rocks with some covering an entire surface with graceful fronds. This place is magical and wonderful. GO!

If you like to take pictures like myself than this may not be the best place. It had a few spots…read morewith beautiful scenery but not many! Also, some of the terrain was pretty rough.

Beautiful views with an easy hike for my pup! The weather was perfect for this short 3 mile hike.read more

Machine Falls is located in Short Springs State Natural Area in Tullahoma, Tennessee. It's a 1.6…read moremile round trip loop to and from the falls. You start out by hiking through the forest on a defined dirt pathway with barely any elevation until the final descent into a narrow valley bottom. Along the way, just follow the stamped white markings posted on the trees as all trails are conveniently color coordinated. There is an overlook platform but it offers minimal visibility from the side of the falls. The last part of the hike is down a set of staircases. Once reaching the base, there'll be a sign for Machine Falls 100 yards straight ahead. You can reach the falls by walking through the creek which will probably require water shoes, or...you can follow the last little section of the trail along the cliffside as a quicker, alternative entrance. Either way... Machine Falls is a 60-foot waterfall cascading over a jagged rock wall into a secluded gorge below. Visitors can stand right in front of the falls for impressive views. It's a totally immersive natural experience set among peaceful surroundings. Taking a few steps back offers a panoramic backdrop and captures the symmetrical precision of Machine Falls. No wonder this waterfall has a reputation for being one of the best in Tennessee. Unfortunately, the pool the falls splashes down into isn't deep enough for full on swimming, but at the very least you can bring water shoes and get your feet wet. When finished, the trail continues over a footbridge to then climb your way out of the gorge. Overall, the easy 1.6 mile roundtrip loop can be completed within an hour or two. In the end, coming to Machine Falls makes for a worthwhile way to spend time in nature. I am always fascinated by dramatic waterfall appearances, and Machine Falls lives up to its billing. And...Tennessee has a host of them all over the state, making it widely recognized as a place for adventurers to go waterfall chasing.

One of the few places distance wise that is kid friendly. Hiking 1 mile Approximate walk to the…read morefalls. For sure bring your water shoes. You would want to get up close to the falls for the beautiful picture capture. Trail is pretty easy to navigate. Parking lot is limited parking. No restroom on the trail or along the way. So make sure you do stop by a gas station before coming.

I occasionally afford myself the luxury of visiting places without really knowing what to expect…read more This park just wasn't that clear to me in its purpose, but it became more so after arrival, with a visitor center focused on Native American history and identifying this as a Cherokee Nation headquarters. A spread of recreated buildings outside offers opportunities for perusal. The most aesthetically distinctive site is a large spring of the sort that seem more common in Kentucky than Tennessee, which evinces a robust blue color and empties into a clear stream. The spring itself is off-limits, but the stream is open for wading. All of these sites are within sight of the initial entrance, but a trek uphill reveals picnic areas, an amphitheater, and a couple of mile trail through the woods. Between the different elements of the park, it was easy to spend a couple of hours there, and best of all, it's free, though the gift shop warrants examination.

Red Clay is not the type of state park that I would normally seek out. Why? It's not in the…read moremountains and the trails are tame. Nonetheless, something about it lured me in for a visit and I'm glad I ventured out here (on Indigenous People's Day coincidentally). Historically, it's really interesting that this was the last meeting site for the Cherokee tribe's council. The signs claim it is "where the Trail of Tears really began." I was really intrigued by the natural Spring called "the Blue Hole." I've never seen a spring that appears bright blue in a forest setting. Seeing this cool natural sight was pretty awesome. Also, I could just imagine the Cherokee using this spring water and being here hundreds of years before. Trail wise: Pretty flat and easy trails. It's not very challenging. But, it makes up for it because it's a calm place with beautiful forest. I loved walking around. Also, since this is small and off the beaten path, it's not crowded at all. Overall: highly recommended. Worth a visit!

This park is quite substantial by state park standards, and includes several different entrances…read more The small ranger center sits adjacent to a reasonably photogenic waterfall, while a paved trail leads past campgrounds to some nauseatingly high overlooks. While taking the rougher path down into the gorge would probably be a good day's work, I didn't quite have time for that. Nonetheless, the sights were plenty, and they were free.

When I really need a break from the city, I make the drive up here. It's about 3 hours from Atlanta…read moreand it's a really easy drive right up 75. There are a few different trails that lead to different outcomes (such is life, amirite??) and landmarks. My favorite trail is to the Overlook, but I do mix them up. Some paths are in the 1-2 mile range, and others are in the 6-8 mile range. There are always enough people around for it to feel safe, but not crowded. Like any park, there is always something beautiful and different in bloom. I love the flowers and I somehow always lose myself JUST enough to be surprised by them each time. Since the pandemic hit, I've driven up here a few times. At first, the bathrooms were not open, but they have been open every time since. Surprisingly, the bathrooms at the ranger station are really clean. Not what I'd usually expect from a state park restroom!

We enjoyed this trail. It's well marked and the end is beautiful. The rocks are very slippery so…read moreI don't recommend this for everyone- it's like walking on ice especially the final section. Definitely a work out and beautiful scenery. Bugs in the face were an annoyance in August.

This is a strenuous hike. Even if you do a short loop at 7.5 miles, the elevation climbing back to…read morethe parking lot is killer. I enjoyed myself the way down, 5 star hike. Note you arrive at the walls and it's a pretty little pool with mini waterfalls. You need to climb up the waterfalls to see the really impressive formations. Definitely worth the effort. But, climbing back up to the parking lot: disheartening. I had a miserable time. Also to note, do not make the mistake I did of going in July in Alabama: the heat and humidity were intense.