You should comply with the park’s safety instructions. A kids carry pack is a must!) Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult and must wear a life jacket while at the falls and while swimming or in the water. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Because of his growing clientele, a larger second mill was built in 1845. The hike back up to the parking lot is a moderately steep hike, so be prepared for that, too. 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave. | William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower | Nashville, TN 37243. Let me tell you I'm a self aware scaredy cat but I was determined and proud I made it.

My son, who's 19, had no issues either. I expected to make a quick visit and be on my way. Trail signs were a bit confusing as to where the actual falls were. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Oh and the only bathroom is in the parking lot..no soap..bring your own. Please remain aware of your surroundings during your visit and exit the base of the falls if you notice the water volume increasing. Visitor center opened on Tues 10/27....very nice. You will hike to the falls in the river so wear swimming attire and shoes that can get wet and deal with rocks. Cummins Falls has been a Tennessee State Park for two years.

The fastest way is achieved by heading west on the I-40 from Cookeville, then exiting onto Hwy 56 (about 7 miles west of the Hwy 136/I-40 ramp).. One is approximately one mile and the other is approximately 1.5 miles. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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The trip down is fairly easy...the trip up is just that..UP.. be prepared. Here are the eight items I recommend you bring, and I would not bring much beyond this list. and have them in a backpack in case you find yourself in situations where you need to cross rivers, want to swim, etc.! The land was acquired by John Cummins in 1825, and he used the land to build the first of two mills. For the most up-to-date information, please check the Cummins Falls State Park Facebook page. To make your visit to our park as safe and enjoyable as possible, know the risks. I’d love to hear your comments below. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. There are many ways to successfully DIE if you are not VERY, VERY careful and nimble as a goat. Ok the thing is the trail is difficult for younger children. What should you bring? It is definitely a beautiful sight to see. This could be hazardous during heavy rainfall periods crossing the water several times (IMPORTANT!!!

We have free and paid options that provide you the details you need to have your next great adventure in Tennessee. My daughter 13 my son 11, and my husband hiked down...yes there were times where I thought I wouldn't make it but I kept going!

It was an amazing sight! ADA access to the overlook is available upon request. After 1pm, the spot got really crowded. The trail head sign that says go right to the river bottom led me to the bottom but I did not see the fall. My teenage son, younger daughter and I went hiking here. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Rather than try to take a picnic to the gorge area, plan to eat in the designated picnic area and just take snacks and water to the gorge. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the park. The parking lot for the trail has bathroom facilities. Cummins Falls State Park is an idyllic, but rugged, 282-acre day-use park located nine miles north of Cookeville on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River on the Eastern Highland Rim. The hike to the gorge is not an improved trail.

© Copyright 2020 Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation. The overlook is nearby and can be accessed by foot. Trail was natural with little maintenance.

Call 931-858-2333 for more info.

Cummins Falls State Park is an idyllic, but rugged, 282-acre day-use park located nine miles north of Cookeville on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River on the Eastern Highland Rim. Cummins Falls Reopens with New Gorge Access Permit, UPDATE: Cummins Falls State Park has reopened with a new online Gorge Access Permit system. Cummins Falls’ rich history includes a time when Indians used the area to track the numerous buffalo that wallowed in the river’s shallow areas. The falls drop 75 feet and there is a large pool at the bottom that will accommodate about 250 swimmers.

Good luck.

Old Mill Camp, located across the from our entrance offers tent and RV camping.

The mill was washed away during the great flood of 1928, but cars and paved highways had already begun to make the trek to Cummins Falls more accessible. read more, The Falls are worth the walk. On-site park staff will post photos and trail closure alerts on that page.

Nearby Cookeville offers a variety of lodging options. I'm 49 and didn't have any issues physically ( which is great considering a guy half my age fell in the water), my eight year old daughter however needed help. Flipflops are not recommended. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.

more.

All rights reserved. That is about all it takes; pretty simple, right?

Once down to the water, we had to hike upstream for about 20 - 30 minutes to get to the falls. Bathrooms at parking were... There are two routes that descend into the gorge. Required fields are marked *. A sight not to miss! It takes about 20 minutes to get to the parking lot from I-40.

And completely worth the careful prep for a view like this, right? This website uses cookies to improve your experience.

Please read safety information below before planning to hike to the base of the waterfall.