Fall Creek Falls State Park is a 20,000-acre resort park on the Bledsoe-Van Buren county line west of Pikeville, Tenn., on the Cumberland Plateau. Activities include camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, golf, horseback riding, boating, a resort inn and restaurant. The park’s most visible feature, the 256-foot tall namesake, is the highest major waterfall in the eastern United States.
Hours: The park is open 24 hours a day but the park entrance road is locked at sundown.
Distance: 70 miles from downtown Chattanooga. Take U.S. Highway 27 north to state Highway 111 north to state Highway 284. Turn right and continue to entrance on Park Road.
Estimated fuel cost: At $3.50 a gallon, about $13 one way.
What’s worthwhile: The 30th annual Mountaineer Folk Festival is scheduled for Sept. 5-7. The Nature Center has interpretive displays and talks by naturalists. There are 34 miles of hiking trails leading to features like Fall Creek Falls, Piney Creek Falls, Cane Creek Falls and Cane Creek Cascades. Camping, rental cabins and a 145-room inn.
Fees: Admission is free. There are fees for facilities, boat and canoe rentals, horseback riding, pool access and golf.
For the kids: Four playgrounds and an Olympic-size pool. Other activities are available depending on scheduling.
Gas-saving tip: Instead of driving to see the park’s features, use the trails.
More information: www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/FallCreekFalls/index.shtml. The park office is (423) 881-5298. For inn and cabin rentals, call (800) 250-8610, and for camping information call (800) 250-8611. The local phone number for the inn is (423) 881-5241.
Send your ideas and photos for other One Tank Wonders to mkennedy@timesfreepress.com
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