Orchard Park, NY

Eternal Flame Falls

    These falls are in Chestnut Ridge Park near Buffalo NY.  There is a gas pocket that stays lit with a small flame and is very cool to see.  It does upon occasion go out, but usually if it's out, someone will relight it. As you can see, there was not much flow to the falls this day, but I've seen pics where there is a lot more - probably not a good summer time hike.  It's only about a mile roundtrip and fairly easy.  There are a few stairs and you have to trek through the creek a little bit at the end - but because there wasn't much flow, there wasn't much water in the creek either.

 

Niagara Falls, NY

Niagara Falls, NY and Ontario Canada

    I know, Niagara Falls is not really a hike, but I wanted to include it because did you know that it is only about a 10 hour drive from North East Tennessee (the Tri-City area)??  I sure didn't before we decided to go!  There are also a lot of great waterfalls and hiking in that part of NY (see my Watkins Glen post and others).  I would definitely recommend getting passports and going to the Canada side - it really is better views.

 

Watkins Glen State Park, NY

Watkins Glen State Park

    If you are ever in the western part of NY state, you need to go to Watkins Glen.  It is one of the prettiest places we have been.  It is a little over 4 miles to walk the whole park and there are several sets of stairs involved so it would be considered moderate.  According to the park, there are 19 waterfalls along the path (some are very small, but still so many good ones).  The gorge with all the cutouts in the rocks is amazing!

 

Jonestown, PA

Bordner's Cabin

    This is a beautiful easy 3 mile hike at Swatara State Park in Pennsylvania. The cabin was built by Armar J Bordner with materials from the surrounding area and when Pennsylvania acquired the land, they agreed to allow him to live in the cabin, which he stayed in until his death.  The waterfall out the back window was also neat, but not a lot of flow when we visited.  There are several trails throughout the park.  

 

Washington, DC

Great Falls on the Potomac 

    This is a national park located 15 miles from DC and the falls are magnificent!  This is just a nice easy walk with several overlooks where you can see the river, falls and rocks.  We didn't get to explore much past because it started to rain.  Definitely worth visiting if you go to DC!

 

Natural Bridge, VA

Natural Bridge 

    

  This was an unplanned stop on our road trip up north, so we did not get a lot of time to explore the entire park, but what we saw was just beautiful.  The park is a very short drive off the interstate and the trail to the bridge is an easy, short walk.  There are some stairs involved, but not many.  We also hiked to Lace Falls - again, not a hard hike and only 2 miles roundtrip.  There was also a cave type overhang on that trail that you could walk into.  We got to see otters playing in the creek.  There is an entrance fee to get in the park, and they have a nice gift shop and nature center.

Lace Falls on Cedar Creek Trail 

Saltpeter Cave on Cedar Creek Trail

 

Damascus, VA

Backbone Rock

    This is on the border of Damascus Virginia and Shady Valley Tennessee and if you aren't watching, you'll drive right past the parking lot because you will be looking at the rock (which is considered the shortest tunnel in the world).  There are lots of signs cautioning dangers on this hike, and while I would definitely exercise caution, it's not as scary as it sounds.  In about .5 a mile, you can take stone stairs up to the top of the rock and walk across it and down the other side.  There is a handrail on one side and it is a pretty wide path, but be especially careful with younger kids.  Then you hike a loop trail up and around to see the waterfall.  Again, there are a lot of stone steps so it is considered moderate and could be a little challenging for some, but we have been in the winter with snow and ice and did not have problems - just used some extra caution.

    There is another trail after you ascend to the top of the tunnel that veers to the left and it is almost a 5 mile roundtrip hike.  

 

Kingsport, TN

Warriors Path State Park

    There are several trails throughout the park, plus the park offers disc golf, an amazing playground, lots of picnic areas, walking track, campground, and marina with kayak, paddleboat and paddle board rentals at great prices, 

Darwins Revenge

    This is primarily a mountain bike trail, but it's still pretty neat and worth going - just watch and listen for bikers.  Fun things about the trail - there were tons of mushrooms, there is creek that runs down into the lake and the trail goes through a very grassy meadow - which we did not walk all the way through because of the ticks - so be aware of that if you go in the summer.  Also, the downside of the trail is that it runs by the interstate so even though you can't see the traffic, you can hear it for a while on the trail.  It's only a couple of miles roundtrip and the easy side of moderate.  There are several other mountain bike trails at this parking lot.  

Woodland Ridge Trail Loop

    This trail is near the stables and is primarily a horse trail.  We went in the fall when it wasn't in use with the horses - otherwise, it probably would not be a great idea to share it.  It's a beautiful trail and only about 1.5 miles and considered moderate.  

Fall Creek Loop

    I had to include this picture, because it was the most perfect grapevine and so much fun (hopefully it is still there). There is also a really cool tree towards the end of the loop with a bench underneath it.  It's only a mile and is great for a quick hike.  

    Something to note - This one is not right in the park - you drive past it, turn into a subdivision, drive to the end, turn right and follow to the end.  You can access Devil's Backbone from this same trailhead and the parking area for this one looks a little sketchy, but we have been several times and never had an issue.

Devil's Backbone

    I always park at the same trailhead as Fall Creek Loop, but you can also park near the golf course, across the bridge and hike up that way.  From Fall Creek, you hike by a creek and then by the lake.  The trail is a little narrow in parts and is a pretty good climb to get to the top.  You can hike down the other side to get to the end - just know you have to hike back up to go back down.  It's about 2.25 miles roundtrip and if you watch to the left on your back when you start crossing the bridges, there is a little trail that leads to a great area to hang hammocks and play in the water.  That trail rejoins the main one just a little further up.  

Sinking Waters

    This one is also not right in the park.  You take Fall Creek Road to Cedar Branch Road (or come through Cooks Valley in the other way - just know that your GPS will probably want you to drive past the parking lot that has a gate, but no sign).  

    This trail is a lot of fun because there is so much to see and experience.  The trail takes you along boardwalks, by locations of old homestead, and sink holes.  There are lots of signs to give you information along the way.  Just know if you do the ridge trail, it's a bit of a climb and no real view or wow moment.  It's about 3 miles if you do all the trails.  

Riverbank Trail to Lakeshore to Connector Trail to Lake Hollow Trail

    Ok, I know that is a lot, but all of those together are only about 1.25 miles.  You can access these on the right of the boat ramp in the campground (you can park at the pool and hike down through the hammock campground or down the road and through the campground).  The trail goes by the lake the whole time and it is such a neat trail.  It's easy, although sometimes narrow, until you get to the end where there are a few stairs to go up and then you emerge out of the trees near the road on the other side of the campground.  

Overlook Trail 

    

    This short little .8 mile round trip trail is located near the boat ramp parking lot near the end of the soccer fields.  It's an easy walk through the woods, but gives you a nice variety if you're walking the park and want some wooded area.  This also intersects with part of one of the disc golf courses, so just be alert.

Disc Golf Courses

    I know, this is not typical for a hiking trail.  However, my boys love to play and I love going with them when they go to Warriors because the course is like a hiking trail and you definitely get in a work out, even if you're stopping while they are throwing.  There are 3 courses at Warriors and they are all beautiful and fun to walk and only about a mile or so each.

  

 

Erwin, TN

Martin's Creek Falls

    This is a little over 2 miles roundtrip and would be on the easy side of moderate - there is a little bit of decent to get to the bottom of the falls.  These falls are not very big, but has a great little pool for wading and playing.  This is one that would be helpful to track on an app.  The trail is a little hard to follow at times, but even when we ventured off a little, we were still really close to the trail.  You also need to be watchful for the turn down to the falls - when we went, it was marked with pink tape and I have heard now there is a homemade sign that says "falls" with an arrow.  

    

 

Bristol, TN

Steele Creek Park

    This lake trail is an easy gravel path that winds along the lake and connects to Rooster Front Park - so you could start at either location and travel the trail. It's about 4 miles round trip and there are a few other trails that lead off this one that you could take.  This is popular with runners and bikers as well since it is flat.  There is a large rock wall near the waterfall that is fun for kids to play on.  

    Also at the park is a splash pad, disc golf course, shelters with picnic tables, paddleboats, a small train, nature center, and playgrounds.  There is a $2 entry fee per car.

 

Bluff City, Tn

Flint Mill Rock

    If you want a challenging hike - this is it!!  It's only about 2 miles round trip and the first .3 is pretty easy, but the last .7 miles is straight up!  My uncle took us on this trail and my boys, who were around 12 and 14 at the time loved it and had no issues.  I had to sit down in the trail at least a couple of times to drink water and take a breather.  The view is amazing, but I swore I would never do it again!

 

Flag Pond, TN

Lower Higgins Creek Falls - Rocky Fork State Park

    These falls are so pretty and we've been a couple of times - once when the weather was cooler and there was more flow and then again in the summer when everything had greened up, but not as much water.   This moderate hike is about 1.25 roundtrip and is uphill a lot of the way in, although not steep.  To get down to the base of the falls, it's a bit of a scramble down the bank, but very much worth it.  You can hike further past the falls if you want, or venture on the main parking at Rocky Fork and enjoy a hike there also.  

 

Cookeville, TN

Burgess Falls - Burgess Falls State Park

    To me, this is one of the most impressive falls in the state of Tennessee and most accessible.  At just around a mile roundtrip, this is a fairly easy hike.  We have been here a couple of times and the falls have looked very different both times.  The first picture is definitely more water, but I love how you can see the rock and moss in the second.  You also pass a couple of other falls on the short hike to Burgess.  And when you arrive, the enormity of the gorge is truly breathtaking!  You can even hike down to the top of the falls - there are warning signs about how strenuous it is. I didn't think it was all that bad and my husband did it when we took him (he is not as much of a hiker as we are).  

    If you get the opportunity - there are local kayaking guides where you can paddle up to the bottom of the falls!  That one is on our bucket list!

 

Cookeville, TN

Virgin Falls

    

    These falls are actually in Sparta, TN and they have been one of our favorite hikes we have done!  If you only hike to the falls, it's about 8 miles roundtrip, but we added Martha's Pretty Point, which made it closer to 9. This is ranked as a hard hike, but it's not all that difficult until you start on your way out and you have a really good climb about halfway.   

    Cool Fact - The water comes from and goes into a cave at several points on the trail, including at Virgin.  For this reason, it's a good idea to carry a water purification option so that you can refill your bottle one of the falls (you pass 2 other ones on the trail)

Big Laurel Falls

    This is one of the falls on the trail.  You can walk around it and see where it runs back into the ground.  

Martha's Pretty Point

   

    You can add this point in and enjoy some beautiful views.

We started early to be sure we had plenty of time.  There were several other people on the trail and there are some primitive camping spots along the way as well.

 

Cookeville, TN

Waterfall Tour - We stayed a couple of days in the Cookeville area of Tennessee and did all these falls in a day.  They are all short and pretty easy hikes, except Cummins and that one would be more moderate.  The following day we hiked Virgin Falls, which will get its own post because that's how awesome it is :)

Roaring River Falls

    There isn't much online about this one and it's not on AllTrails, but it's just a short walk to these falls and the gorge is beautiful!  There is just a small parking area right on the road that is easy to miss.  

Waterloo Falls

    This is another super short hike and the falls are so pretty!  The owner of the property has a restroom you can use and there are places to stay the night if you're looking for accommodations.  A little ways up the river are the upper falls that are smaller, but worth the short walk.  

Cummins Falls

    This one is at Cummins Falls State Park and you do have to pay and get a gorge pass in order to hike to this one.  It is super popular, which is why they limit the number of people.  It can still get pretty crowded, but it is a fun hike and you HAVE to walk through the river.  This one is about 2.5 miles roundtrip and there is a decent at the beginning to get down into the gorge.  be sure and check online to make sure the gorge is open and there are available reservations before going (especially if there has been a lot of rain).  

City Lake Falls

    This is an easy hike at just over half a mile roundtrip.  The falls aren't spectacular, but it's a very pretty area and there is a small viewing deck where you can sit or you can hop along the rocks and explore the creek.  There is even a little path up to the top of the falls.