Amphitheatre

The park’s amphitheatre seats 300 and can be scheduled on a first-come first-serve basis.

Bicycle Trails

Three miles of paved bike trails and 15 miles of moderately difficult mountain bike trails are offered. Please remember that mountain bikes are not allowed on hiking trails.
Mountain Bike trail maps and information (printable .pdf format)

Boating

Fishing boat rental is available year round. Paddleboats and canoes are available April through October. Please bring your own trolling motor and battery. For boat rentals: 423-881-5500. Pontoon boat rides may be arranged through the programming staff at the Nature Center by calling 423-881-5708.

Tennessee Boating Regulations

Events and Programs

Special Events for 2012

Basket Weaving Workshop - Feb. 3-4-5
FCF Thaw 15K Run & Weekend Excursion - Mar. 3
Waterfalls Weekend - Mar. 10 & 11
Easter Weekend - Apr. 7 & 8
31st Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage - Apr. 15 & 15
Star Party 2011 - Apr. 20 & 21
Rock Climbing Workshops - June 1-2-3 and November TBA
Astronomy Weekends - June 22 & 23; July 20 & 21; Aug. 17 & 18
Fourth of July Celebration - July 4
Triathalon and 10K - Aug. 18 & 19
Mountaineer Folk Festival - Sept 7-8-9
TN Fall Star Gaze - Sept. 14-15-16
Fall Colors Weekend - Oct. 20-21
Wild Foods Day - Oct. 27
Backpacking Trip - Nov. 10 & 11
Christmas on the Mountain - Nov. 30 & Dec. 1 & 2

In the spring of 1996, the Environmental Education Center was developed to facilitate the educational mission of the park through its vast natural resources by offering a low cost, high quality overnight field trip for school groups. With the awareness of the psychological, developmental, and physical benefits of outdoor education on the rise, this is the perfect time for your school to build a partnership with the only extended stay environmental education program in the Tennesse State Park System!

Fall Creek Falls State Park offers a hands-on, outdoor environmental education program for school students designed to relate the park’s natural and cultural resources to the school’s required curriculum. Outdoor education is beneficial to the physical, mental, emotional, and social development of children. What better way to improve test scores and promote unity in your class than to pay a visit to Fall Creek Falls State Park for a few days?

To learn more about environmental education and additional events and programming visit the Friends of Fall Creek Falls.

Fishing

A Tennessee license and park permit are required to fish in the 345-acre Fall Creek Falls Lake. Fall Creek Falls is the home of two state record catches, Channel Catfish and Bream. The lake also offers largemouth bass. Fishing in the creeks is also allowed. No privately owned boats or gasoline motors are allowed on the lake. Pedal boats, canoes and aluminum fishing boats may be rented through the park office. Please bring your own trolling motor and battery.
For boat rentals: 423-881-5500

Tennessee Fishing Regulations

Golfing

A three-time selection by Golf Digest magazine as one of the “Top 100 Public Places to Play” and honored as one of the top 25 public courses in America, this 6,669-yard course is both beautiful and challenging. There is a driving range and practice green on site. Call (423) 881-5706 for tee times up to seven days in advance.

Learn more about the Fall Creek Falls Golf Course on the Tennessee Golf Trail

Hiking

There are over 34 miles of hiking trails around the park. Hikers can opt for short or long walks around the lake and to and from the base of Fall Creek Falls. There are two long distance overnight trails for the more adventuresome. The day-use trails are designed to accommodate recreational and educational activities including fitness walking, leisure walking and easy hiking, or exploring the Parks' geological features and forest life typical of the Cumberland Plateau.

From The Tennessee Conservationist's Great Hikes With Fran Wallas:
Fall Creek Falls Cable Trail - The Shortest Hard Hike

The Nature Center, located near the North entrance of the park, is a popular trailhead. Trail information is available inside the Nature Center. Trails also originate or can be linked from the village area, campground, inn, group camp #2 entrance gate, the Falls parking lot and the Piney Falls parking lot.

The Fall Creek Falls Overlook Trail is accessible to persons with a disability.

Cane Creek Cable Trail 0.3 mi.
Cane Creek Lower Loop Overnight Trail 12 mi.
Cane Creek Upper Loop Overnight Trail 13 mi.
Chinquapin Ridge Mountain Bike Trail 7 mi.
Gorge Trail 1 mi.
Paved Bike Path 2 mi.
Paw Paw Trail 2.9 mi.
Piney Creek Mountain Bike Trail 10.5 mi.
Roundtop Trail 7.6 mi.
Trail to the Base of Fall Creek Falls 0.5 mi.
Turkey Pen Ridge Trail 0.5 mi.
Woodland Trail 1 mi.

Trails Open Year Round.

Park Maps - .pdf format
Fall Creek Falls Trails Map
Fall Creek Falls Area Map
Taft Area Village
Trail Descriptions
Day Use Trail Map
Waterfall Tour Brochure and Map - NEW

Horse Stables

The stables offer guided trial rides April through October by a privately leased operation

Nature Center

Fall Creek Falls boasts an outstanding nature center with many attractive interpretive displays. Naturalists present daily programs during the summer and by arrangement at other times of the year. These may include nature demonstrations, art and crafts, movies, campfires, organized games and live musical entertainment. For more information or to schedule a program contact the Nature Center at 423-881-5708.

Picnic Facilities

The park has five covered picnic pavilions, each of which will accommodate up to 75 people. There are 12 picnic areas, most handicapped accessible, throughout the park. There are also a large number of individual tables and most sites have charcoal grills and water spigots nearby.

Playgrounds and Sports Fields

There are four playgrounds located in the park.

Swimming

The park offers an Olympic-sized pool with a wading pool which is open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Modern bathhouses and a snack bar serve the pool users. The pool is accessible to persons with a disability.

All park public pools will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, except Holiday weeks. Please call the park for those schedules. Cabin, inn and camping guests will pay half price for admission to the pool.