Published Oct 25, 2024

We Explored a Cave and a Waterfall Along this Easy Tennessee Hike

The best of the hikes in Lost Creek State Natural Area in Tennessee lead you to a gorgeous waterfall oasis and an epic cave in the middle of nowhere.

Published Oct 25, 2024

Written by

Chris Dodge

Nature|Hiking

Published Oct 24, 2024

The Easiest Hike Led Us to Views of One of the Best Waterfalls in Tennessee

Burgess Falls in Tennessee can be accessed via a short and simple hike to an overlook and it is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the entire state.

Published Oct 24, 2024

Written by

Chris Dodge

I would consider Burgess Falls in Tennessee to be one of its top three waterfalls. Now, that is saying something, because there are an estimated 900 or so waterfalls in the state! But taking one look at this unique waterfall, it isn’t hard to imagine why it is in my top three. I had already ranked it pretty high on my list, but then when I saw it for the first time, it simply took my breath away. Here is everything you need to know about one of the best waterfalls in Tennessee.

Burgess Falls is conveniently located near the middle of the state, so you can get to it from many of the major cities. If you are visiting the capitol and looking for easy hikes near Nashville, then it's only an hour and a half drive out to the park. We were doing a tour of some of the best trails in the area, and all of the best waterfalls - like Fall Creek Falls, and Twin Falls, just to name two - are all close by. The only way to see Burgess Falls from the state park, though, is to lace up those hiking boots and hit the trail.

The River Trail is a very simple, short and sweet, out-and-back kind of hike. Along the way, we were treated to smaller waterfalls that, in and of themselves, would be worth the visit, but they were overshadowed by the beauty of Burgess Falls.

After enjoying the slight ups and downs of the hike, we arrived on an elevated, wooded landing that overlooks the falls. We were far away, but that allowed us to get the whole view of the falls and the surrounding area. We were awestruck when we arrived, and although I already had seen pictures, it was entirely different to be standing there ogling this unique waterfall. What makes it so interesting is the shape of the rock which comes to a sharp point and allows the water to fall at interesting angles on either side. This creates an almost-pyramid of plunging water, and the mighty roar of the water flow is as impressive as Niagara Falls.

I also like to get to the base of any waterfall I travel to, but if you want to do it here, you will have to be kayaking at Burgess Falls. In the state park itself, the viewing platform is the only way to see the falls, but if you want the kayaking experience, you will have to launch from the Cane Hollow Recreation Area. Then follow the river up until you reach this massive waterfall. We saw some people kayaking and I was a little envious, so I know that is something I will be going back to do at some point.

From the viewing platform, you can continue further along the trail to get to the top of the waterfall. I am the kind of person who wants to soak everything out of an adventure, so these detours are never optional for me. We took the trail and were greeted by a very calm river leading to the top of the waterfall. The contrast between the roaring flow of water and the meandering nature of the trickling river was very interesting. You can even step right up to the top of the waterfall and look down more than 130 feet to the river below. As I stood on the ledge of this waterfall looking, down I decided this waterfall is definitely in my top three waterfalls of Tennessee now.

Burgess Falls in Tennessee is a must-see waterfall for anyone. From the casual nature walker to the hardcore waterfall chaser, this is one of the top falls in the state. To get to the viewing platform you will want to take the River Trail, which follows the river straight to the gorgeous overlook. I would suggest having the AllTrails map handy when you go. You can download the River Trail to Ridgetop Trail map, and that will take you right there. I would highly recommend this trail, and if you want another great hike in the area, then head to Fall Creek Falls State Park to hike to the bottom of the biggest waterfall in Tennessee. I would also suggest checking out an Adventuring in the Moment video we made of the hike, so you know what to expect when you go and visit this amazing state park.

Nature|Hiking

Published Oct 23, 2024

We Walked Behind a Magical Waterfall While Hiking at Colditz Cove in Tennessee

We walked behind a breathtakingly beautiful flow of water with this waterfall hike in Colditz Cove in a remote part of Tennessee, and it felt like a fairy tale.

Published Oct 23, 2024

Written by

Chris Dodge

There is a particular waterfall hike in Colditz Cove that was just too good for us to pass up when we traveled through the area. All it took was one picture of Northrup Falls to convince me that we needed to go on this hike. After going, I can confidently say you just have to see it for yourself to believe something this beautiful exists - but there it was, hidden in the forest. The plethora of waterfall hikes near Knoxville - let alone all the rest of the state - never ceases to amaze me! So I hope you have the same burning desire I had to hike to this waterfall once I show you, because I can say it is more than worth it.

We started the day early, and along our drive out to the trailhead, we noticed a sign for Rugby, Tennessee. I had read about this little historic town and had to make the detour. If you plan on hiking in Colditz Cove, then this is a lovely little side adventure I would highly recommend taking. Once we got to the trailhead, there were storm clouds in the vicinity, but we didn’t want to let rain stop us from a good hike, so we packed our things and hit the trail. There was virtually no one else around, which made for a very peaceful jaunt through the forest. The trail, at first, seemed very standard, but it served as a build-up to the end destination.

We got our first glimpse of the falls from high up, but I have always said, “Nothing beats standing at the base of a waterfall,” so we continued on. As the trail started to wind down, we found ourselves at the bottom of the cliffs we had been standing on. The fascinating rock formations and ledges were certainly a treat as we hiked. We saw many caves, hollowed-out sections, and fascinating rock formations on our way down to the cove.

In the middle of the bowl-shaped cove was the jaw-dropping Northrup Falls. The light shone in from a clearing in the trees above, so the sun highlighted the waterfall and it seemed to glow. The contrast from the darker rock overhang we had just hiked through to the waterfall before us was striking. The pool below shimmered in the light and the splashing water on the dark rocks created a lovely cascade.

As we explored the area, I noticed a path behind the waterfall. There is always something magical about walking behind falls, so I had to do it. I climbed over and soaked in this rare opportunity; it made me pause and think, where can I walk behind a waterfall in Tennessee? I remembered a few like Grotto Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Ozone Falls, but still the list is rather small given how many waterfalls there are in the Volunteer State, so it made this waterfall, in particular, feel special.

As I was enjoying the cool mist of the falls and maneuvering around the slippery mud, I noticed something else. The trail continued beyond the waterfall. The trail was actually a loop, which was exciting because that meant that everything else we would see would be new. This section of the hike was adventurous, requiring us to climb over large rocks and dodge low-hanging tree branches. Eventually, we met up with the top of the waterfall, from which we left the woods and returned to the trailhead.

When it comes to a waterfall hike in Colditz Cove, Northrup Falls is a must-see. This enchanting waterfall not only offers a feast for the eyes in terms of beauty but is also accompanied by an adventurous hike. The whole trail is short and sweet, but it helped me have AllTrails Plus along. I hope this inspires you to go out and do this hike, as well, but if you need more convincing, then check out the Adventuring in the Moment video showcasing our hike to Northrup Falls.

All Stories

Nature

Hiking