Vacation rentals in Fall Creek Falls Lake

Tennessee is often overlooked for its outdoor splendor, but with 56 state parks and hundreds of waterfalls, the Volunteer State has more than enough to keep nature lovers busy. At 256 feet tall, Fall Creek Falls is not just one of Tennessee’s most visited waterfalls, but one of the tallest in the eastern United States. Within the 29,800-acre park, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you busy, from laid-back endeavors like fishing and birding to more adrenaline-pumping feats such as mountain biking the 24 miles of trails or tackling the Canopy Challenge Course. Though Fall Creek Falls may be the centerpiece of the eponymous state park, it’s not the only gusher around: Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades are also worth beholding. The park is also surrounded by other outdoor recreational areas like Savage Gulf and Fiery Gizzard. The Nature Center at Fall Creek Falls offers numerous activities and educational programs throughout the year, and the state park also frequently hosts live music, art programming, and other events.

Early April into May is prime time for waterfall hopping in Tennessee, though if you plan to take a dip in Fall Creek Falls, summer is when the swimming conditions are at their best and the water is nice and warm. Tennessee enjoys mild, balmy autumn weather, with pleasant temperatures through November and the opportunity to see the changing of the leaves. Though Tennessee does not receive much snow, winter does bring an occasional frost, lending an entirely different picture to the falls area as it’s blanketed in white and frozen over with icicles, making it a great time to cozy up in one of the area’s cabins. Just know that trails can be icy during the rare winter storm, so proceed with caution.

McMinnville

The closest major town to Fall Creek Falls is McMinnville, 42 miles west. With bold displays of public art and a well-preserved Main Street, it’s worth the day trip to poke around McMinnville and take a float down the Barren Fork River that parallels downtown.

Cumberland Caverns

Cumberland Caverns occupies nearly 30 miles of subterranean passages, caves, and falls. Opt for one of the many tours, including an overnight excursion that allows you to wiggle, squeeze, and shimmy your way through the caves’ often narrow channels.

The Isha Institute of Inner-Sciences

From a distance, this large geodesic structure looks like a spaceship parked in the middle of the Tennessee wilderness. But this mysterious dome is actually part of the Isha Institute and draws healers, yogis, and wellness seekers to its many offerings that include free workshops, meditations, and guided nature walks.