Distance: 3.5 mi
Elevation Gain: 695 ft.
Estimated Time: 2-3 hrs.
Style: Loop
Parking Fee: Free
In terms of “bang-for-your-buck” this has to be one of the best hikes in the state of Tennessee. Within just 3.5 miles you can see 3 different waterfalls (including the tallest free-falling waterfall in the state) and 2 beautiful overlooks of the gorge. The trail is well maintained, moderate in elevation gain, and moderate in technicality. This is a must-do day hike for newbies and seasoned hikers alike.
The trailhead is located just behind the Betty Dunn Nature Center in Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee. Entrance to the park, and parking, are both free. The nature center is currently open Monday-Saturday 8am-6pm. It’s a great pit stop pre or post hike to learn more about the park, use bathrooms, and pick up a fun souvenir.
**Trail mileages listed below were measured using my Garmin GPS watch. They are approximate, not exact! Please only use them as a general guide.
Trailhead Address: Betty Dunn Nature Center, 10821 Park Rd, Spencer, TN 38585
Below is a step-by-step trail guide for hiking the Woodland Trail/Gorge Overlook Loop in Fall Creek Falls State Park, TN. Take screenshots and follow along as you hike!
Room for 20 or more cars in the main nature center parking lot. There’s an additional lot just above this one with room for many more. On a week day you shouldn’t have trouble finding a spot.
To get to the trail head, follow the sidewalk past the wooden map kiosk, heading toward the nature center. Take a look at the map kiosk for relevant trail/park info.
You can start by walking through the nature center (there’s an exit in the back), or following the sidewalk around the building.
Behind the nature center, follow the sidewalk down to the far corner where the suspension bridge begins. The wooden deck to your right provides a nice overlook of a small waterfall/swimming area.
Cross the suspension bridge. It does wiggle- but the metal netting along the edges makes it feel pretty safe. Enjoy the views to your right of waterfall #1.
Once across the bridge, continue following the trail to your right.
Climb some stairs.
(about 0.1 miles into hike) Just beyond the top of the stairs you’ll come to your first junction. Veer right here toward Fall Creek Falls.
Continue straight on Woodland Trail.
(0.3 mi into hike) Come to a fork in the trail. Technically you could go either direction here to begin the loop. To go clockwise, and have Fall Creek Falls as your first destination, veer left here toward Fall Creek Falls/Gorge Overlook Trail. This is the direction I went.
Close up of the trail sign. Veer left.
There are blazes painted on the trees along trail, with different colors indicating which trail you are on. For the Woodland Trail, there are brown blazes like this one.
Shortly after you’ll come to another junction, this time with Turkey Pen Ridge Trail. Bypass the turn onto Turkey Pen Ridge and continue straight toward Fall Creek Falls.
(about 5.5 mi into hike) Come to another junction. Here, you want to veer left toward Fall Creek Falls.
Cross over Fall Creek on a wooden bridge. This is the creek feeding the waterfall we’re hiking to! Pretty neat.
(about 0.7 mi into hike) You’ll reach an intersection with a paved bike path. Turn right and begin hiking along the paved path.
0.1 miles or so down the paved path you’ll see a wooden sign for “Fall Creek Falls” on the right. Veer right here and follow the dirt path.
Cross over another wooden bridge.
(about 0.9 mi into hike) Reach the overlook area for the gorgeous Fall Creek Falls. There are restrooms here if you need a quick pit stop. At this point, after taking in the views, you can either turn around and continue the loop hike, or you can hike down to the bottom of the falls first.
If you choose to hike down to the bottom of the falls (I highly recommend!), you’ll see the trail sign on the far side of the overlook area. Follow the path on the right marked with green blazes.
As the sign says, this part of the hike is strenuous. You will hike a steep downhill for 0.4 miles to get to the falls, and a steep uphill 0.4 miles to return to the overlook. The trail is a mix of wood/gravel steps, stone steps, and dirt. There are no turns, just follow the same path all the way down.
View from the base of Fall Creek Falls. You can swim in the pool.
If you’re comfortable with a little rock scrambling, you can hike behind the falls as well.
Once you’re ready, head back up the trail to the overlook.
Once you’re back to the overlook, continue retracing your steps all the way back to the last major trail junction for the nature center. Go back over the wooden bridge, down the short section of paved bike path, veer left off of the bike path (pictured below), and arrive back at the “nature center” trail junction.
As you’re retracing your steps, remember to veer left off the bike path at this wooden sign for “nature center.”
(about 2.2 mi into the hike) Once you’ve retraced back to this trail junction, we can continue on the loop. Earlier, you came from the right. Now, we will veer left.
Blazes on this section of trail (Gorge Overlook Trail) are black.
(about 2.4 mi into hike) We’ve arrived at our next side quest. To see the Rocky Point Overlook, turn left and follow a short side trail to the overlook point. This side trail does involve a little bit of hand-over-head climbing. Very doable for most, but if climbing is not within your capabilities, proceed with caution.
To get to the overlook you have to climb down and up this short rock face. It’s not scary, just a little technical.
View from Rocky Point Overlook. When you’re done, return back to the main trail.
Once back at the main trail, make a left to continue on the loop.
About 0.1 miles later you’ll come to the “Cane Creek Gulf Overlook” trail sign. Make a left here to take a short, easy side trail to the overlook.
View from the Cane Creek Gulf Overlook in mid June. Not much to see, but I imagine when the trees are bare this is a lovely view point. Retrace back to the main trail and make a left to continue the loop.
About 0.3 miles ahead you’ll come to our final side quest of the loop- Cane Creek Falls. Make a left here to take a short side trail out to the falls overlook.
Views from Cane Creek Falls overlook.
Retrace back to the main path and veer left to continue the loop back toward the nature center.
About 0.3 miles later, you’ll come to the final trail junction. Make a left here.
Stay straight, following all arrows pointing to the nature center.
(3.5 miles into hike) Cross back over the bridge and come to the end of your hike.
Great job! 🙂
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