Cane Creek Falls


November 2006

State: Tennessee

Location: Fall Creek Falls State Park

Height: 85

Crest: 40?

Water Source: Cane Creek

Waypoint: 35.66278N 85.35056W

Summary: Cane Creek Falls is the largest by volume of the many waterfalls in Fall Creek Falls State Park. The falls is easily seen from a pair of overlooks, but the best reviews require an exciting descent down the cable trail.

Cane Creek Falls is located in Fall Creek Falls State Park. The park is named for the much higher Fall Creek Falls, but the much more voluminous Cane Creek is responsible for carving the impressive gorge that is responsible for all the other falls.

The falls can be viewed from two overlooks. One is very close to the Visitor center parking area, but the view is not very good. A better view can be had if you cross the swinging bridge above Cane Creek Cascades, and head up the trail towards Fall Creek Falls. From here you can also see Rockhouse Falls, which is adjacent to Cane Creek Falls.

For the best view of the falls, you need to take the cable trail down to the base of the falls. As the name suggests, this "trail" descends into the gorge at about a 45° with a cable strung alongside of it to assist you on your way down and up. There are a couple of very steep and rocky spots and this trail is not for everyone. The views at the bottom are well worth the work.

The falls are easy to find. The roads through the park wind a lot, but with a map it is easy to find the falls. The park itself is also easy to find and will be on any decent map of Tennessee.

I was in Fall Creek Falls State Park in the morning in November, which is not the best time to try to take pictures. The sun is behind the falls in the morning.

Cane Creek Cascades is just upstream of Cane Creek Falls. There may be other cascades and smaller falls downstream. On the trail down to the base of Fall Creek Falls you can hear a lot of noise from Cane Creek, but it is sometimes surprising how much noise a relatively minor drop can make.

[Cumberland Plateau] Nearby Falls

There are several falls in Falls Creek Falls State Park. The much higher Rockhouse Falls is a few hundred meters to the left of Cane Creek Falls. Cane Creek Cascades is just upstream of Cane Creek Falls. A 30 minute, 1.5 mile hike from the Nature Center will take you to Fall Creek Falls. Piney Creek Falls is a few miles away by car, foot or bike. Virgin Falls, Twin Falls and many others are within an hour to the north. Laurel Falls is 30 miles to the east.

Photo Gallery



View from Overlook




Cane Creek and Rockhouse Falls

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Last Modified: Friday, 30-Oct-2009 18:02:03 MDT.

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