Fall Creek Falls State Resort Park is one of the most scenic and spectacular recreation areas in America. Its waterfalls, cascades, sparkling streams, gorges, timberland and an unmatched variety of recreation facilities and activities have made it one of the most popular parks in the Southeast. Fall Creek Falls is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains, plunging 256 feet into a shaded pool at the base of its gorge. The park’s other falls, Piney, Cane Creek and Cane Creek Cascades, though smaller, are just as impressive.
The oak and hickory forest that covers most of the park gives way to tulip poplar and hemlock forest in the gorges. The plants and animals of the moist, protected gorges are not unlike the species found in southern Canada. Mountain Laurel and rhododendron are abundant throughout the park, as are other plants and animals.
The park offers two overnight trails accessible by permit and a variety of day-use trails. Providing access to some of the park’s loveliest areas, the trails pass into virgin woods, over fast flowing streams, and around awesome gorges and waterfalls. The day-use trails are designed to accommodate recreational and educational activities including fitness walking, leisure walking and easy to moderate hiking, or exploring the park’s geological features and forest life typical of the Cumberland Plateau.
The park is located in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, 11 miles each of Spencer and 18 miles west of Pikeville. It may be entered from Highway 111 or Highway 30. For detailed directions, see http://www.mapquest.com
The park’s trails include:
Lower Cane Loop
| 12 mile Loop | Moderately Strenuous |
Paw Paw Loop
| 4.5 mile Loop | Moderately Easy |
Upper Cane Loop
| 13 mile Loop | Moderate |
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This site was last updated 07/17/07.