Lost Creek Falls

Lost Creek State Natural Area parking lot, short trail with stairs down to the base of Lost Creek Falls

TDEC says the natural area has about 1 mile of trail in all but gives no distance to the falls. A visitor account calls the walk from the parking lot to the base an easy trail with some stairs.

Easy trail with some exposed roots and stairs down into the sink.

Where to start

Parking lot inside the natural area at N35 50.442, W85 21.660. From Sparta, take Young Street south (it becomes Hickory Valley Road) 3.4 miles, bear left on Lost Creek Road for 5.6 miles, turn right where the road ahead is marked Dead End, and go 2.4 miles into the natural area; the lot is 0.3 mile further on the right.

Timing & water

Open year-round from sunup to sundown. No camping. A visitor account notes low flow in early fall and fuller flow in winter and spring. There are no restrooms.

Before you go

No fee is mentioned. Lost Creek Cave needs a no-cost permit from Scott's Gulf Wilderness State Park and closes seasonally for bats; the falls do not.