Tennessee
Nature|Hiking

The Hiking Trail Hiding In Tennessee That Will Transport You To Another World

Honey Creek Loop in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area offers a challenging and scenic six-mile hike through rugged terrain and thick forests.

Published Jun 9, 2017

Written by 

Meghan Kraft

Honey Creek Loop meanders its way through Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, coming in at almost six hiking miles. This gorgeous trail is not for the faint of heart, though. You'll be traversing rugged terrain and thickly forested undergrowth with limited signs and direction, so prepare yourself for this beast of an adventure. This is where you can come to be truly one with nature, where you can enjoy the beauty of Tennessee's green underbelly, beyond the lights of our iconic cities.

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Michael Hicks - Flickr

Located near Allardt, the Honey Creek Loop Trail is actually 5.7 miles, and is a lightly trafficked area that will immerse you in the stunning heart of Tennessee's remote wilderness.

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Michael Hicks - Flickr

You'll gain almost 1,500 feet in elevation, and the trail runs in a loop - something you've probably figured out by now. It's great for backpackers, campers, or waterfall seekers.

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Michael Hicks - Flickr

You can even bring your dog! Keep 'em on a leash, though...there's no one to send out to search if they make their way through the brush. The trail is also considered very difficult, so make sure you're watching your own step!

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Michael Hicks - Flickr

It's the beautiful views and waterfalls along Honey Creek Loop that keep folks coming back again and again.

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Michael Hicks - Flickr

There are multiple campsites along the trail, but you'll probably want to complete the loop in one go. You'll encounter a number of boulder crawls along the way, and they're difficult to overcome with backpacks.

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Michael Hicks - Flickr

There are a lot of steep climbs, so come prepared! Although difficult, quite a few locals claim that ol' Honey Loop is their favorite pathway to traverse during the warmer months.

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Michael Hicks - Flickr

Make sure to visit between March and November! That's when you'll see the greenery at its peak foliage and encounter the best weather.

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Michael Hicks - Flickr

You can visit for yourself within the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, located at 4564 Leatherwood Road, in Oneida, Tennessee. Have fun storming the castle!

Have you ever hiked this challenging (but totally worth it) trail? Tell us all about it in the comments. If you're looking for a hike that's a little less strenuous, check out these hiking trails that are all three miles or less.

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Nature|Hiking

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 leads you to a gorgeous waterfall oasis and an epic cave in the middle of nowhere.

Published Oct 25, 2024

Written by 

Chris Dodge

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. 

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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. 

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Sarah Dodge/ Only In Your State

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.

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Sarah Dodge/ Only In Your State

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.

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Sarah Dodge/ Only In Your State

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.

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Sarah Dodge/ Only In Your State

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.

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Nature|Hiking

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. 

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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.

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Sarah Dodge/Only In Your State

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.

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Sarah Dodge/Only In Your State

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.

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Sarah Dodge/Only In Your State

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. 

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Sarah Dodge/Only In Your State

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.

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Sarah Dodge/Only In Your State

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.

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