Standing 30-feet tall, scenic Cane Creek Cascades are located in the expansive Fall Creek Falls State Park, near Spencer, Tennessee.
Situated conveniently near the Betty Dunn Nature Center, easy access to the cascades allow visitors of all ages to enjoy the beauty of nature during all-seasons in Tennessee.
Free admission, ample parking, restrooms and a gift shop are available. There is also a brand new suspension bridge across Cane Creek, though still closed during final preparations, providing access to hiking trails.
Photography
If you’d be interested in a print for your home, office, business lobby or cafeteria setting, then visit my shop at Fine Art America. Many print types are available to suit your interests!
Water from City Lake Falls runs downhill along a rocky surface, over moss and small ledges. Photographed on the Cumberland Plateau, in Cookeville, Tennessee. Prints available.
This beautiful autumn scenery was photographed along the Middle Prong Trail in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, featuring Upper Lynn Camp Falls. Prints are available for you to enjoy in your home for all seasons, with many format selections to choose.
Located in the Tremont section of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, the Middle Prong Trail to Indian Flats Falls is 8.2 miles out and back.
Driving 3 miles beyond the Tremont Institute, which features a small gift shop and restroom, the gravel road dead ends at a parking area by the trailhead. Crossing a footbridge over the river, the trail forks to the left and parallels Lynn Camp Prong.
Hikers will enjoy the sound of running water over the course of a 1140-foot elevation gain en route to Indian Flats Falls. At approx. 1/2 mile, the impressive 35-foot tall Lynn Camp Falls can be viewed from the trail.
History
The Middle Prong Trail was originally a railroad bed used by the Little River Railroad & Lumber Company, based in Townsend, Tennessee, which was one of the largest commercial logging operations in southern Appalachia, operating for 38 years until 1939, with 150 miles of railroad. Visitors can find more information available at the Little River Railroad Museum.
Along the way, hikers will observe vestiges from that era, including limited glimpses of railroad tracks and other steel remnants, a toppled chimney and an abandoned 1920’s Cadillac taxi. Other encounters may include horses – equestrians allowed, so watch your step – and bears, common to the area.
The Hike
Over the course of the trail, hikers should expect an increase in grade and quantity of scattered small-to-medium sized rocks. There are two bridges to cross, as well as two small creek beds, easily traversed by stepping on rocks to keep dry.
After hiking 4 miles up a mountainside, one might expect to see a sign pointing to Indian Flats Falls. Alas, there are no signs. Instead, following several turns and an increase in elevation, the path broadens substantially at a switchback. Rather than continuing left, hikers will see a path to the right, tucked behind a large bush near a rock face. Turning right is a short, moderately difficult path over some rocks and under a few downed trees – then, the falls!
The Falls
Emerging from the path, visitors are greeted with a wonderful view of the 20-foot tall top section of Indian Flats Falls. There is plenty of room for several people to gather, though hikers should remain weary of slippery conditions on what would otherwise appear as flat rock surfaces.
This waterfall actually has four-tiers, for a total height of 60-feet, though access to these lower areas isn’t easy, requiring one to get dirty foraging through the brush, descending shallow rock ledges, and wading knee-deep through a plunge pool at the base.
If you’re prepared to sustain a few scratches and get muddy, the views are definitely worth the effort.
The following photography presents Indian Flats Falls, top-down:
If you enjoy the great outdoors, then I’d highly recommend the hike to Indian Flats Falls. And, plan to spend more time than you might otherwise expect, as you’ll often find yourself stopping to enjoy scenery along the river.
This is 75-foot tall Cummins Falls, located on the Cumberland Plateau in Cookeville, Tennessee. It’s a beautiful waterfall and popular statewide tourist destination, providing visitors a scenic 1.5 mile hike through the gorge, along Blackburn Fork River.
You don’t have to travel to enjoy this picturesque landscape, however. Simply visit my shop at Fine Art America and select a museum quality print to enjoy on a wall in your home, office, lobby, cafeteria, etc.. Several print types are available to suit your wishes.
Located in Cookeville, Tennessee, this waterfall is referred to as City Lake Falls. Smaller than many falls, it’s nevertheless an appealing location to visit – only 1/4 mile from the parking area. Prints available.
Some waterfalls can be visited only after an exhaustive hike over rugged terrain. Others, such as City Lake Falls, are much easier to observe, requiring only 1/4 mile walk through the forest on a paved trail. Located in Cookeville, Tennessee, you can enjoy this waterfall photography on a print from my gallery – all year long!
With so much moss and ferns covering a water-drenched gorge wall, it seemed like I was in a rainforest…in Tennessee! Actually, I was visiting the Rock Island State Park, on the Cumberland Plateau near the small town of Spencer. Prints available.
Located along Fighting Creek Gap Road in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, not far from the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Laurel Falls is a popular tourist attraction.
It’s an easy 2.6 mile out and back hike along a paved trail, though the pavement it quite eroded. Measuring both upper and lower sections of Laurel Falls – which are divided by a railed pathway – the waterfall stands 80-feet tall and provides several scenic viewpoints, if one is willing to climb to the base.
Signs At Trailhead
On my visit, I was the first car parked in the lot…by 3 minutes. Capturing photographs without people in the picture requires one to arrive early, so I showed up 1/2 hour before sunrise. Bears are common in this area, though less so once a steady stream of hikers are present. No water. No restrooms.
View From Trail
History
The trail was completed in 1932 at a cost of $590, providing fire crews access to the Cove Mountain area. Three years later, a fire tower was completed. By 1960, frequent trail use and erosion were problematic, and, as part of the 1963 Accelerated Works Projects grant to the Department of Interior, the trail was paved. Today, with over 800 miles of trails within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, only four trails are paved for a total of three miles.
Photography
If you’d like to accent a wall in your home or office with a print featuring my photography, you can visit my gallery at Fine Art America to select the print type which best suits your interests. Many selections available – I hope that you find something to purchase & enjoy!
Located near Spencer, Tennessee, the Rock Island State Park has 883-acres along the Caney Fork, Collins and Rocky Rivers. It also features the rugged beauty of an expansive Caney Fork Gorge.
On my first visit to the park, I learned that, in order to access the base of Great Falls, a 30-foot horseshoe cascading waterfall, one should expect to get wet. Most folks in the gorge on the south side of the Caney Fork River near the waterfall are there to swim in a large plunge pool, sporting water shoes and swim attire. Keeping dry can be difficult and entails carefully navigating a very slippery, narrow and moss-covered non-flat surface.
Recalling my previous experience, I decided that, this time, I’d attempt to access the area via a trail originating from across the river, near the Twin Falls parking area. There were several signs along the way stating, ‘No Access Above Falls’, indicating that I was probably headed in the right direction. Beyond a pond and across a forested hillside, I was able to traverse a series of rocks in the river, which led me to the base of the waterfalls – and, I stayed dry!
Photographs 1 & 2 were taken looking back at the trail which I had hiked moments earlier.
Photographs
If you’d like to accent a wall in your home or office with a print featuring my photography, you can visit my gallery at Fine Art America to select the print type which best suits your interests.
I hope that you find something to purchase and enjoy for years to come. Thanks for visiting!
Located near Old Fort, North Carolina, only 26 miles east of Asheville, the 100-foot tall Catawba Falls highlights the scenic beauty of the Pisgah National Forest. Following a well maintained trail along a mossy riverbed on the Catawba River, the sounds of rushing water over many small cascades accompany visitors on this slightly uphill, family-friendly 2.5 mile out and back hike.
This is a popular tourist destination with a large parking lot, restrooms and an informational placard at the trailhead. Accordingly, visitors should plan upon an early arrival if wishing to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature, absent crowds – mine was the second car parked onsite, though an estimated 80 vehicles were observed at the time of my departure.
Under a shaded forest canopy, hikers will cross the river on two footbridges and encounter remnants of an early 1900’s hydroelectric dam…
There are also several interesting side trails leading to picturesque spots aside Catawba River…
Prints
If you enjoy the great outdoors – especially waterfalls – then I’m certain that you’d be pleased with a purchase of any of the many print types available in my gallery at Fine Art America.
Framed / Canvas / Art / Poster / Metal / Wood / Acrylic / Tapestry
Lower Catawba Falls
Video
If you’d like to extend your hiking adventure by undertaking a strenuous and difficult climb, another 1/2 mile trek leads to the beautiful Upper Catawba Falls. Warning: this is potentially a dangerous area if you’re not skilled at climbing rocks and steep mountainsides, and hikers must ascend a 25-foot rock face using a secured rope for assistance. Here are a few photographs along the trail…
Upper Catawba Falls
The sound of falling water continued to intensify, until, finally, I could see Upper Catawba Falls through the trees! Standing approx. 60-feet tall, this isolated, picturesque waterfall features a broad plunge pool with large rocks scattered to the side, useful as seating. With a snack and water, I enjoyed the sights & sounds of this setting, uninterrupted over the course of my 45-minute stay.
Video
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Located in the Tremont section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Cades Cove in Tennessee, the scenic Spruce Flats Falls stands 30-feet tall and can be enjoyed by hiking a moderately difficult trail measuring two miles out and back.
There are several changes in elevation and rocky areas to traverse along the well-marked trail, so good hiking shoes are a must. Bears are sometimes present, though less so than crowds of people – it’s a popular spot to visit, so arrive early if you’d like to enjoy the area in a tranquil setting.
Presently, due to concerns regarding COVID-19, the park office and restroom remain closed. So too is the parking area, though a gravel lot directly across the bridge is convenient. Also, the plunge pool beneath the falls provides a nice spot to cool off – great for kids!
Prints
If you’d be interested in a print for your home or office, you can visit my gallery to purchase any of the following photographs. Each product is manufactured at one of 16 global production facilities and delivered “ready-to-hang” with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
