Cummins Falls State Park, Tennessee, United States
4.5 (672 reviews) Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Ranking #2 in Cookeville State Parks
Reward is worth it!
Cummins Falls is the 8th largest waterfall in Tennessee. Hiking and swimming are the favorite activities in this park. More information on this park and many more can be found at the TN State Parks website. Gorge Access Permits are required to access the gorge or the base of the falls and can be purchased online only on the Cummins Falls page of the Tennessee State Parks website. While gorge access is limited to 100 people per day, access to the overlook and other hiking trails above the gorge will not require a permit. All permit users will be required to watch a safety video before accessing the gorge. Access to the gorge and base of the waterfall is only allowed during fair weather conditions and is subject to change when rain appears anywhere in the watershed.
Address
390 Cummins Falls Ln, Cookeville, TN 38501-8981
Mobile
Website
http://tnstateparks.com/parks/cummins-falls
Working hours
Monday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday : 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Current local date and time now
Monday, May 13, 2024, 11:12
User Ratings
4.5 based on (672 reviews)
Reviews
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5ThePurpleTraveler 5:00 PM May 25, 2020
Beautiful Waterfall
We have hiked Cummins Falls many times. There is now a safety video you must watch before hiking. If you plan to hike down to the gorge and upstream to the waterfall you must now buy a gorge permit. They limit the number of permits per day and they do tend to sell out quickly. They cost $6 per person and there are no refunds if the gorge ends up closed for any reason. So buy your gorge permits early! If you do not want to hike the gorge you do not need a permit, but the parking lot does fill up quickly. It is best to get there right at 8am, otherwise you may be turned away. The hike up top to the overlook and top of the waterfall is not very difficult. The hike to the gorge and waterfall is different every time. This past time it was under a purple flag/level 3 and it was hard. You have to get into the water/river several times to get to the waterfall. There is no dedicated path or trail. You find your own way there. Sometimes the water is up to knees and above. Water shoes are recommended, lots of rocks to navigate. Once you get to the waterfall you can swim(life jackets are recommended and available on a first come first serve basis.) Good sturdy shoes are definitely needed and trekking poles or a walking stick help a lot too. Having said all that it is one of our favorite places to hike and we go a couple times a year.
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5NomadicFamilyLife 5:00 PM Jun 8, 2020
Reward is worth it!
We did this hike with our 12 & 9 y/o. We read some tips beforehand, and we all managed to do pretty well. We also read online that we needed to buy passes in advance to be able to hike to the gorge. We did see some people get turned away, so make sure you have a pass. Wear good shoes for the hike. We all tripped several times along the dry trail on roots and such. The trail along the river definitely needs a shoe with a good, non-slip sole with good support. We changed shoes at the end of the dry trail into water shoes. The rocks can get pretty slick, so take your time. The falls are a great relief from the heat after the hike. Life vests are required for kids under 12. The trail would be difficult with small children under 5, and it is highly discouraged to not bring children 2 and under. We brought walking sticks which was very helpful. Carry a pack with snacks and plenty of water. Make sure your phone is waterproof or you have a protective pouch. Come early before the heat of the day and to find a parking spot. We went on a Monday and there were still plenty of people. Follow some basic guidelines and it will be a great experience. Be sure to stop in the General Store at the entrance. They have some supplies for your hike like water shoes and phone pouches. Stop by after your hike for a treat or souvenir.
