There are only two hikes in the Lost Creek State Natural Area but we hit the jackpot when it came to the trail we chose. Lost Creek Falls and the Lost Creek Cave are truly hidden gems in the middle of nowhere. Being in a remote place makes this trail even more special like finding a cavernous oasis in the middle of rolling farmlands. We were blown away by this short and sweet trail and had a lot of fun exploring it. So if you want a Tennessee hike that has both a waterfall and a cave only feet from each other, then this is one place you will want to travel out to the next free weekend you have. 

If you have been looking for easy hikes near Nashville or easy waterfall hikes near Nashville then the Lost Creek State Natural Area should be a great option for you. In less than a two-hour drive, you can be lost in a hidden gem of a wilderness far away from the busy city life. When we drove down the rolling farmlands, it seemed like we were so far away from civilization, which is always a good feeling.

The trail getting to the waterfall and the cave is a simple walk down some stairs for less than a quarter of a mile. When we came into view of the waterfall our breath was stolen from us. The rocks create an intriguing system of caves, holes, and nooks where the water flows perfectly between the rocks. This cove seemed like an oasis and unlike any waterfall, I have ever seen. The 40-foot tall plunge waterfall looked familiar enough but the setting was so uniquely beautiful. The falling water pools up slightly at the base and then flows into a cave so it is like the falling water just disappears before your eyes. 

This was one of the locations for the filming of the 1994 live-action Jungle Book, and it was easy to see why they picked this amazing spot. I laughed as I imagined a few farmers scratching their heads as they watched multiple vans driving down their remote roads back in 1994. I am guessing that just wasn’t something they would see on a regular day. The day we arrived at the waterfall we were the only ones and it felt nice to have the whole place to ourselves. Just be careful around the rocks when they are wet. How do I know they are slippery? Well, let's just say I had a big bruise as proof.

The forest itself was just as impressive with lush greenery and tall trees. The overgrowth and untouched nature of the woods made it easy to see why this spot was chosen to look like a jungle. After soaking in the view of the waterfall, we set off to find the cave.

It didn’t take us long to see the epic cave opening because the cave is only a few feet from the waterfall. We climbed over the large rocks and soon we stood in front of a massive opening into the earth. As much as I wanted to hike into this underground labyrinth, we knew we wouldn’t be able to the day we visited. We did some research before and we discovered that you need a permit, equipment, and proper cleaning practices to avoid white-nose syndrome for the bats that live in the cave. This was just not something that was doable for us on our long trip but something I hope to come back to one day.

There are signs that warned visitors from entering the cave without first having a permit. There were also cameras stationed so I would suggest following the rules. It was tempting to take a peek inside but we went as far as we could without breaking any rules. The temperature dropped as soon as we got close to the entrance and you could even see your breath despite it being a warm day. Inside the pitch-black cave, you can expect to find an underground river and plenty of rock scrambling.

When it comes to hikes in the Lost Creek State Natural Area, there is no better one than the Lost Creek Falls Trail. With just a short walk you get the massive payoff of seeing a gorgeous waterfall and an adventurous cave. I find using the AllTrails app to be incredibly helpful while finding my way around rural Tennessee and would suggest using it too. It helps to know what to expect before you go on a hike to a new area, so please feel free to check out the Adventuring in the Moment video we made while hiking this trail.