Cummins Falls
Jackson County, Tennessee
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Jackson County, Tennessee
- Access status
- Guide: overlook trail; permit needed for the base
- The walk
- Falls Overlook Trail: 0.35 mile. Gorge Access Route: 0.50 mile
- Ground & access
- Overlook trail: easy, mixed surface, with an accessible overlook. Gorge route: riverbed walking with wading, rock climbing and slippery rocks; prone to flash flooding.
Cummins Falls is a 75-foot waterfall on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River in Cummins Falls State Park. The Falls Overlook Trail leads from the park to an accessible overlook on top of the bluff above the gorge, and no permit is needed for it. Going down into the gorge to the base of the falls needs a Gorge Access Permit. The park says the gorge trip is strenuous and requires wading, climbing rocks and crossing slippery rocks, and the gorge can close suddenly when water rises. The park recommends that children 5 and under not go to the falls, and children 12 and under must wear life vests at the falls and be with an adult.
Plan your visit
Cummins Falls State Park parking lot, Falls Overlook Trail to the overlook; Gorge Access Route to the base with a permit
Tennessee State Parks lists the Falls Overlook Trail at 0.35 mile and the Gorge Access Route at 0.50 mile. It does not say whether these are one way.
Overlook trail: easy, mixed surface, with an accessible overlook. Gorge route: riverbed walking with wading, rock climbing and slippery rocks; prone to flash flooding.
Where to start
Park parking lot at 390 Cummins Falls Lane, Cookeville, TN 38501. Visitors with wheelchairs can drive down the access road to designated parking near a concrete path to the overlook, per the park.
Timing & water
Park hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in season and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. off season, with shorter gorge hours in winter. In season the gorge closes at 5 p.m. The base is open only on fair-weather days.
Before you go
A Gorge Access Permit is required to visit the base of the waterfall; buy it through Tennessee State Parks reservations. The park says no refunds, exchanges or date transfers are given, and the gorge may close without warning. No fee amount is mentioned. The overlook needs no permit.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
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Burgess FallsOfficial state park trail loop and parking documentedPutnam County, TN14 miS- Falling Water CascadesState park trail and trailhead documented; limited parkingPutnam County, TN14 miS
- Little FallsState park trail route and parking documentedPutnam County, TN14 miS