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.

Our Stay at "The falls at Sewanee creek" was absolutely AMAZING! What we expected was to stay in a…read moreglorified tent, detached from a big city, and hoped for a relaxing stay here. What we got was ... the absolute perfect location to spend a night above a 50ft waterfall that lullabied us to bed. A perfect storm came through in the night to maintain that REM. Then a fuller waterfall and a few dozen songbirds to wake us up in the morning. Not even temped to hit the snooze button on that! Mr.Miller's hospitality is superb. He enjoys sharing his creativity, which is impressive, and thanks to it we had a perfect glamper to stay in and have this great experience. We took our time getting up, had some coffee, and drank it on the back deck as we watched the waterfall, yes you read that right ..... waterfall is visible from the glamper, just laying in bed I can lift my head and see it. After morning, coffee we hiked down to the bottom of the falls and soaked in the beauty and the privacy of it.

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.

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.

Very cool place awesome hike. Dipping in the water on a hot day was amazing. All kinds of beautiful…read morenature and sounds. Brought a publix sub from florida to enjoy out here

Rock Island State Park has a strange layout but is jam-packed with interesting sites. If you stop…read morein the Visitor Center, they have maps and written directions on how to hit the highlights easily. You can view different falls, cascades, flow stones, and more from short distance strolls to overlooks, or delve deeper into the gorge for a closer view. Swimming is not permitted except in certain areas, so take notice, people have drowned here. Be careful when hiking and exploring the floor of the gorge as the dam can release water with limited warning. That being said, the Twin Falls and Great Falls are lovely, and the diverse landscape keeps the walk extremely interesting! Me and the dog did the Upstream and Downstream trails on the Twin Falls side, and the Gorge Trail on the Great Falls side, and while Dianne, they are steep and slippery, so wear proper shoes!

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.