Such a beautiful lake to go watch the sunset/sunrise at!! It's a Tennessee staple, but it's sad…read morethat people are so dangerous around here!! You definitely have to be careful of which area you're in by the lake!

Surprised to see the main entrance already closed for the winter. We took a small trail that was…read moreall paved, which was nice, but not very long. It had very little parking available & no bathrooms at this site so that was very disappointing.

We hired Brian Carper a few years ago for a bass fishing trip. We were specifically targeting…read morelargemouth bass with top water lures. Brian spent the whole day running the trolling motor AND fishing all of the good water before my guest and I got the leftovers. 0 out of 10, complete waste of time and money. He caught fish. We didn't.

I was new to bass and crappie fishing so I googled guides and Brian Carper's fishing guide service…read moreseemed to be the best bet. I wasn't disappointed, Brian adjusted his schedule to meet my narrow availability. The boat and equipment he provided was first rate. He was super friendly , knowledgeable and a great teacher. He got us on both bass and crappie while teaching various techniques and tactics. I wouldn't hesitate to use Brian Carper's guide service again!

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.

Paid $110 for 5 adults and 2 kids to fish and we caught NO fish! A couple other folk did catch a…read morecouple decent sized cats but I suspect they were not using barbless hooks. Disappointing.

Very disappointed after bringing kids here and spending $100+ to fish and caught nothing…read more Employees are very nice though.

My hubby is a bit of a history buff. We had been at the VA for a car show and just happened by this…read moreplace. We got lunch at In-N-Out then came back and used the shady picnic tables to relax and have a picnic. They have a smallish museum, in comparison to other National Park museums, but it is packed with facts and interesting artifacts. Outside there are trails to walk, and separate bike lanes. On a sunny day there are many shady areas to stop and enjoy the sights, sounds and fragrances!

A lot to see that helps visitors understand how the Civil War was fought here…read moreStones River National Battlefield is a very important Civil War site. Through the various sites it shows you the battle that occurred between December 31, 1862 to January 2, 186. It was one of the bloodiest skirmishes of the Civil War with over 23,000 casualties. The park is easy to find and there is plenty of parking. The main visitor center was closed when we visited. There are several driving stops and walking trails that take you to key areas of the battlefield, including the famous Slaughter Pen, the Round Forest, and the large National Cemetery. We spent about two hours driving the tour route and walking some of the paths. The grounds are well maintained and peaceful. There are good interpretive signs that help you understand what happened at each location. It was a very sobering but meaningful visit. The cemetery is very moving with row after row of graves and the sayings. I definitely recommend Stones River National Battlefield to anyone interested in Civil War history or just wanting a peaceful and educational stop while traveling through the Murfreesboro area. It is well worth the time.

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.

This is Burgess Falls, another state park located in Central Tennessee sitting 12 miles northwest…read moreof the town of Sparta, TN. There's a 3/4 of a mile out and back hike called the River Trail that leads to 4 different waterfall lookout points comprising Burgess Falls SP. Waterfall #1 - The Cascades. Sort of the introduction area to the park. Waterfall #2 - First Falls. A quick glance at a 30 foot high waterfall section. But nothing special, imo. When Continuing on the trail, you'll cross over a wooden bridge and follow up a staircase. Now at... Waterfall #3 - Middle Falls... Middle Falls is 80 feet high and partially obstructed by trees and branches having grown over time. *Side Note*.... I wish park services would do some forest cutting for everyone to enjoy clearer views of the park's waterfalls. Entrance right now is free. I'd suggest charging a small fee and using that money to pay for some grooming. A lot of the observation points can't be fully appreciated. Just me venting a little, lol. Waterfall #4 - Burgess Falls... Burgess falls is the centerpiece highlight of the park. Standing at 136 feet from top to bottom, Burgess Falls can absolutely be dramatic, but still natural excess forest maturation disrupts full visibility of the falls. I did read that kayaking at the bottom of Burgess Falls is the most interactive way to come face to face with this statuesque waterfall. You can rent kayaks at Cane Hollow Recreation Area, located at the end of Cane Hollow Road. It's about 10 minutes from Burgess Falls. You can end the River Trail hike at the Top of Burgess for a panoramic overlook of the rugged gorge the falls splash down into from high above. It's another quick stop and go area before returning back towards the trailhead. Overall, Burgess Falls was a muted experience for me, but still has potential to be a rewarding visit if park authorities can maintain the inevitable growing forest hindrances that negate special moments at the waterfall overlooks.

Came here to do a hike. You're hiking right along the water so it's a beautiful view. It's not a…read morehard hike at all, relaxing, and serene.

Okay, if you're ever in Tennessee, you have to check out Montgomery Bell Tunnel. This hidden gem…read morein Montgomery Bell State Park is packed with history, and it's one of the coolest spots I've explored. Built in the early 1800s, this tunnel was carved by hand to transport iron ore for a thriving industry. But what makes it even more special is the story behind it--enslaved people worked here, and their efforts helped shape the future of Tennessee. It's crazy to think that something so important is tucked away in the middle of the woods, just waiting to be discovered! https://www.tiktok.com/@reessroots/video/7535575693854297374?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7352687494821037610 The tunnel is almost 300 feet long, and standing inside it feels like stepping back in time. You can almost hear the echoes of the past! Most people are out there hitting all the usual tourist spots, but places like Montgomery Bell Tunnel are the ones that actually make you feel something. If you're into history, adventure, or just exploring off the beaten path, this is definitely the place to be. Skip the crowded tourist traps and head to Montgomery Bell Tunnel for some real history! Trust me, you'll be talking about it long after you leave. #HiddenGems #HistoryUncovered #ExploreTennessee

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!