Photo by Kathy LeVelle

Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of the most scenic and spectacular outdoor 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 spectacular.

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 is located in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, 11 miles east of Spencer and 18 miles west of Pikeville. It may be entered from Highway 111 or Highway 30, however, Hwy 111 is best for large recreational vehicles.

Fall Creek Falls Inn and Restaurant are both situated on scenic Fall Creek Lake. The inn is very popular for its plush family vacation and conference accommodations and southern hospitality. There are 71 rooms and a large suite with kitchenette. All rooms are carpeted; each opens onto a private patio or balcony overlooking the lake, and each has a telephone and color TV. Inn and cabin guests enjoy a private pool, a recreation room, shuffleboard, recreation equipment, exercise/fitness room, and games. Reservations should be made well in advance by calling the toll-free number.
The 100-seat restaurant features good food at popular prices in a delightful setting. Five private meeting and banquet rooms are available for conferences and other group gatherings that accommodate from 50 to 200 persons.

There are 30 family cabins in the park, each can sleep up to eight people. All cabins have central heat/air and are fully equipped for housekeeping with linens, cooking and serving utensils, telephone and color TV. Each has a fireplace with firewood provided. The 20 fisherman cabins are plush, two-story cabins located directly on the lake. Fisherman cabin guests enjoy outdoor cooking, sunbathing and fishing from their private porches situated out over the lake. There are also 10 landside cabins located on a hill overlooking the lake, each with patio, picnic table and grill for cooking and dining outdoors. Two landside cabins are accessible to the handicapped.

Fall Creek Falls has 226 campsites in three campgrounds. Most sites have tables, grills, and water and electrical hook-ups. Central bathhouses with hot showers and restroom facilities serve the campgrounds, and there is a dumping station provided. Toll-free reservations are accepted for campsights by calling 1-800-250-8611. Backcountry camping is popular at the park with 25 miles of trails and three designated campsites.

The park has two group camps, both featuring rustic bunkhouses clustered around central dining halls, bathhouses and recreation buildings. The capacity of camp 1 is 100 persons, and camp 2 150 persons. Both camps provide private swimming beaches, playfields, fire rings and private staff quarters.

There are two group lodges at the park, and both are completely equipped for housekeeping, food preparation and serving. Lodge 1 serves 104 persons. The dorm has two floors with private toilet facilities on each for coed living. The dining and kitchen facility is on the ground level with a meeting room above. This facility is open year-round. Lodge 2 contains two buildings, each sleeping 20 people. Each contains bunk beds, restroom and a kitchen. Group lodge and group camp reservations should be made well in advance with the park office.

Fall Creek Falls has one of the most beautiful and challenging 18-hole, par 72, 6,700-yard championship golf courses in the South. It was named one of the top 25 public golf courses in America by Golf Digest Magazine. The park pro shop provides a snack bar, dressing rooms, rental clubs, gasoline and pull carts, and a fine line of golfing accessories. There is a golf pro on duty, and a driving range and practice green are available. Tee times are available on weekends and holidays by calling 423-881-5706.

The park has an olympic-sized swimming pool, a wading pool for children and ample sun bathing space. Modern bathhouse and a snack bar serve the pool users. Lifeguards are on duty at this pool during the summer months, and swimming lessons are available.

Canoes, paddle boats, and fishing boats with electric trolling motors are available for rent at the boat dock. No privately owned boats are permitted on the lake. Bait, tackle, snacks and fishing licenses are available. Park fishing permits are required for all fishermen except registered inn and cabin guests. The 345-acre Fall Creek Falls Lake contains bass, bluegill and catfish, and has yielded some record-size catches.

Many miles of hiking trails wind through the woods, fields, gorges and along the streams and lakeshore of the park. There is a long-distance backpacking trail available for the more adventuresome. Self-guided nature trails are provided in the vicinity of the nature center, and there is a self-guided motor nature trail along the park's scenic loop drive. A 3-mile paved bicycle trail leads from the park inn to the big falls. This path crosses the main park road at the dam near the village green. Rental bikes are available. Horses are rented at the park stables, and there are over four miles of equestrian trails in the park.

Playgrounds and play fields are located at the village green, in the campgrounds, and at the nature center picnic area. Other recreation facilities at Fall Creek Falls include lighted tennis courts, a lighted ball field, horseshoe pits, basketball courts, playgrounds, shuffleboard courts, volleyball court and much more. There is also a recreation center located in the village green.

Picnic sites (150) are located throughout the park, and 5 picnic pavilions for group picnics from 50 to 100 persons may be reserved by calling 423-881-3297.

No trip to Fall Creek Falls is complete without a visit to the Betty Dunn Nature Center at Cane Creek Cascades. The center features many exhibits and displays depicting the natural and cultural history of the park. There are animals, wild animal demonstrations, and movie presentations available.

Naturalists and recreation programs are presented daily throughout the summer months. Planned programs and activities include guided tours, movies, campfires, organized games, Mountaineer Folk Festival, demonstrations, square dances, and much more. A ranger-naturalist is available at the park for special tours and programs all year. For additional information, contact the nature center.

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