Hiking in Cummins Falls State Park TN: Get Wet in the Gorge Trail
Have you ever had to cross a stream to get to the trail on the other side? The Gorge Trail in Cummins Falls State Park TN will have you crossing this stream multiple times to view this stunning waterfall!
Hiking in any state park in Tennessee will provide you with a gorgeous display of Tennessee’s beauty, and hiking in Cummins Falls State Park is no exception. This stunning waterfall and unique gorge trail is a must do when in Tennessee!
First and foremost, in order to hike the gorge trail you need a permit.
Now hold on! Don’t leave at the news of a permit!
These falls are a major highlight of hiking in Cummins Falls State Park, so it’s worth getting the permit, trust me. There are 200 available each day, so plenty of opportunity!
The permit process is very easy and my husband and I were able to get ours the day of our hike. Granted, we hiked the trail in April, but it was a simple process.
If you are planning to hike the gorge trail in the summer, the busy season, I suggest getting a permit ahead of time. The link to the permit can be found here and in the section below labeled Important Links.
Once you have secured a hiking permit, head to the visitor’s center to begin your hike! But I’m getting ahead of myself, lets discuss some important facts about the park, the trails, and other need to know information.
Important Links
Getting a Permit to Hike to Cummins Falls
Location
Cummins Falls State Park is located in Cookeville, Tennessee and is fairly easy to access via backroads.
The address you will want to use is 390 Cummins Falls Ln, Cookeville, TN 38501
Or you can simply type Cummins Falls State Park into your desired map app (Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, etc.) and this search will take you to the only parking lot and the visitor’s center.
Parking
Parking at Cummins Falls State Park is easy! The parking lot is right in front of the visitor’s center.
This is the only area for parking and honestly, it’s pretty much just a gravel patch in front of the visitor’s center. But it works! And there are plenty of spaces to go around. I’m sure in the summer this parking area can fill up, so as always, I suggest getting there early!
What to Bring
After hiking at Cummins Falls State Park, there are a few things that we brought, and a few things we wish we had brought. Below is a list of things that would be a good idea to have.
- Water Shoes with a firm support (or old sneakers)
- Sunscreen – there’s no hiding from the sun here!
- Towel – you will get wet
- First Aid Kit – I always bring this, no matter how long or short the hike!
- Camera – you won’t want to miss capturing these falls – “Do it for the Gram”
These are just the basics that I suggest.
You will get wet on this hike, even if you only get wet to your knees, you will. The stream becomes very deep in places, so make sure you are prepared! We even crossed the stream in strategic places and still ended the hike with wet feet.
But there are other options for hiking in Cummins Falls State Park if you don’t want to do the gorge trail, so let’s take a look at the trails.
The Trails
There are several trails that run through Cummins Falls State Park TN. Some are longer than others, but they all highlight a particular area of the park. The Gorge Trail is certainly the most popular, but the other trails do not require a permit.
Again, if you’re intent on see Cummins Falls up close, wet, and personal, make sure to get that permit!
Here are the trails that you can hike in Cummins Falls State Park
- Cummins Falls Trail (Gorge Trail) – about 3 Miles
- Waterfall Overlook Trail – 0.4 Miles
- Upstream Trail – 0.5 Miles
- Delia Bell Meadow Trail – 3 Miles
Each trail allows you to see a different section of the park. So even if you aren’t able to secure a permit to hike the Gorge Trail, there are a few other options to hike in Cummins Falls State Park.
History of Cummins Falls State Park – Tennessee’s 54th State Park
As with many state and national parks, Native Americans occupied this area. There are stories of them tracking Buffalo to the shallow parts of the river.
In the 1790s this area was gifted to Sergeant Blackburn, a veteran from the Revolutionary War. However, this was short lived as John Cummins acquired the land in 1825.
John Cummins built a mill and by 1845 his business had grown so much, he built a second and larger mill. The business continued for years until both mills were destroyed in a flood in 1928.
The land stayed in the Cummins family for decades until the land was proposed to be turned into a development. But thanks to some truly amazing conservationist from The Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, the land was saved.
When the land went to auction in 2010, the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation bought, and saved, the land. In 2012, Cummins Falls State Park was named Tennessee’s 54th State Park.
Okay, okay, enough about the location and the history, let’s get back to what comes next after you get the required permit.
After the Permit
So you got a permit, now what?
Once you have secured your permit, you will have to watch a safety video. This video is shown in an outdoor covered area located behind the visitor’s center. This video runs on a loop, so you can jump in whenever.
But why is a safety video required at all?
This Gorge is very deep and narrow. This leaves nowhere for the water to go except to fill the gorge itself. Should rain begin, even farther upstream, this gorge can become flooded, and fast!
So quickly in fact, that children under 12 are required to wear a life preserver on the last leg of the trail.
But back to the video.
Safety Video
This video talks about watching for a change in water flow or color (brown) as it is an indicator of flash flooding. It also talks about high points along the trail should this happen.
While this video can seem a little over the top, they do not want anyone hiking here to be unaware of the dangers on this hike.
Essentially, the safety video is telling you to be aware of your surrounds and to know where your nearest “exit” location is.
Water is an amazingly powerful force, and in Cummins Falls State Park, they want to make sure that you are aware and wary of that power. Not afraid. The video can help you be prepared should something go wrong.
I encourage you to watch the video. Even the most experienced hiker should be aware of the very real dangers of this hike.
Ok, that was heavy! Deep breath, let’s get to the good part!
This hike is actually quite fun and we had a blast while hiking. I just want you to be aware of the dangers. But enough about that, let’s get to the hike already!
Our Hike to Cummins Falls
My husband and I obtained a permit the day of our hike. It was a gorgeous day in April and we were excited to check out and hike in Cummins Falls State Park.
Beginning at the visitor’s center, you will start out walking straight on a path behind the building. An easy, sloping trail will begin once you reach the woods.
Don’t let the gentle grade fool you, the trail is about to get much steeper.
You will come upon a split in the trail. If you go left, you will go to the falls overlook. But if you are here to hike the Gorge Trail (and have a permit of course), stay to the right.
The trail will become steeper and after a few switchbacks, a set of stairs and one final drop, you will be in the gorge.
At this point, consider the gorge your trail and you can “choose your own adventure”. Did you ever read those books?
Adventure 1: you can either choose to hike on the side of the stream, cross the stream and hike on the other side up to the base of the falls.
Adventure 2: if it’s warm enough, you can wade right up the center of the stream.
So, choose your own adventure here and enjoy!
Hiking Footwear
As I already suggested, make sure you wear footwear that is supportive, but can get wet. Or rather, you are ok with said footwear getting wet. Sneakerheads BEWARE: fancy/expensive footwear should be left at home.
Anyway, we decided to hike up the left side of the stream. We didn’t have our water shoes with us so we wanted to stay as dry as we could.
That thought lasted all of a few hundred feet. It didn’t take long before we ran out of real estate and were left with no choice but to cross the stream or swim. The way the stream winds in this area, it completely takes away the left side of the gorge.
Stream Crossing
We actually had to back track a little bit because when you do run out of dry land, the water is very deep. So, back we went and there we crossed the stream.
The rest of the hike was done with wet feet.
If you don’t like hiking with wet feet, this isn’t the hike for you. But trust me when I say, the view is worth it!
We ended up having to cross the stream 2 more times until we were finally able to arrive at the foot of the falls.
And let me tell you, these falls are stunning.
Hiking to Cummins Falls
This 75 foot waterfall cascades down in front of you and the rock formations that surround the falls create a unique and picturesque location.
The stream is a clear green-ish color and you can actually swim up to and right under the falls. Talk about a water wonderland!
We had our dog Luna with us, so we couldn’t leave her (obviously) to swim under the falls. However, we did get to snap of few of these stunning photos of the 3 of us with only some mild rock hopping and a tripod.
We spent about a half hour here, just taking in the views.
Hiking Back
The hike back is much the same as hiking to the falls. You will get wet. You will cross the stream again. And you will have to hike up that hill that you started down.
This final push up the hill and back to the visitor’s center can certainly cause you to become out of breath, but I still say the waterfall and the unique hike of this trail was worth it.
Once back at the visitor’s center, there is a bathroom where you can change (if needed) or simply go to the bathroom before the drive home.
The Visitor’s Center
The Cummins Falls State Park Visitor’s Center has not only great souvenirs, but also great information. There is information about the wildlife, the geological features, and all kinds of other things relating to all nature surrounding this area.
You can also get a map there so you know where to hike. Here is a link to the map if you simply want to download it from here.
We took a quick walk through here and even took some time to talk to the ranger stationed here. It’s a wonderful resource to find out about the area and to ask any questions you may have.
Conclusion
Hiking in Cummins Falls State Park is a great way to spend a day, or two. This park is well-kept and provides beautiful of the falls as well as let’s you explore the surrounding areas if you choose.
If you have hiked a trail called the “Gorge Trail” in any other park, you pretty much know what you are going to see. A trail, usually along a creek, stream or river and surrounded with canyon-like walls. This Gorge Trail is similar in the fact that yes, you are surrounded by cliffs, but hiking in and through a stream creates for an awesome hike!
Cummins Falls State Park is an exemplary Tennessee State Park and hiking here is a must do if you are nearby. So be sure to get that required permit and hike this awesome trail!
Oh! And in case you need a laugh, here’s a picture of my husband and our lab to bring a smile to your face. 🙂
Megan C.
Avid hiker and traveler around the US. I've been hiking consistently since I was 18 and I can't wait to teach you my tips, tricks and hiking hacks! Travel and hike with me and my camera.
