Beauty Abounds: Central Tennessee Waterfalls

Looking for a getaway full of natural beauty, refreshing hikes, and plenty of photo ops? OUR Frugal Family Travelers found just that in the waterfall region of central Tennessee. We made our home base in Crossville, TN, a small town with affordable lodging and great local eats. Staying in Crossville gave us easy access—just 30 to 60 minutes each day—to six different state parks and natural areas featuring some of Tennessee’s most scenic waterfalls. For families who prefer sleeping under the stars or staying closer to the trails, Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville offers cabins and campsites in a wooded setting with lake access and hiking paths.

1. Fall Creek Falls State Park

We started our waterfall tour with the most well-known in the area: Fall Creek Falls, which plunges 256 feet and is one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. The park covers nearly 30,000 acres and includes other smaller falls, scenic overlooks, a nature center, and several suspension bridges that were a big hit with our family. Trails range from short walks to longer hikes, and the bridges provide a unique view into the gorge below. This is a great half-day or full-day stop with picnic areas and other amenities.

2. Cummins Falls State Park

Cummins Falls was a standout experience. The waterfall itself is a two-drop cascade totaling 75 feet, and it empties into a wide swimming hole. What made this visit special was the hike down through the gorge, which includes multiple creek crossings. Water shoes are a must, and it’s important to walk on the gravel paths in the stream rather than the flat rocks, which can be slippery due to algae. Visitors must reserve a gorge access permit in advance, especially on weekends. The hike is part adventure, part splash, and worth the effort.

3. Burgess Falls State Park

Burgess Falls is a 130-foot waterfall that drops into a deep gorge. The park features a short but scenic hike with multiple smaller waterfalls leading up to the main one. While we did not kayak on this trip, guided kayak tours are available that allow paddlers to travel to the base of the falls for a unique view. It’s a beautiful area and a great option for families who want something a little different. The park also has well-marked trails and viewing platforms for those who prefer to stay on foot.

4. Ozone Falls State Natural Area

Located just off I‑40 near Crossville, Ozone Falls is an easy stop with a short trail and a dramatic 110-foot drop. The path leads down to the base of the falls, where large boulders and a clear pool make it a good spot to relax and explore. The setting is peaceful, and the surrounding rock walls form a natural amphitheater. This waterfall was used as a filming location for Disney’s The Jungle Book. It’s an ideal stop if you’re short on time but still want to enjoy a scenic waterfall.

5. Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area

This lesser-known natural area near Spring City features a 30-foot fan-shaped waterfall at the end of a one-mile trail. The walk in is quiet and shaded, passing through second-growth forest and down into a bluff-lined creek valley. The falls are smaller but beautiful, and the area feels secluded. Hiking shoes are recommended due to the steeper sections of the trail.

6. Piney Falls State Natural Area

Piney Falls was one of our favorite hikes. This natural area features both upper and lower waterfalls, with the upper fall dropping about 80 feet. The trail includes a steep descent assisted by a rock cable ladder and ends at a spot where you can walk behind the waterfall. Along the gorge, we saw impressions of ancient tree bark embedded in the sandstone. Piney Falls is recognized as a National Natural Landmark, home to old-growth trees including white pines and hemlocks over 100 feet tall. The trail is more rugged, but very rewarding

7. Rock Island State Park

The final stop for OUR Frugal Family Travelers was Rock Island State Park, located at the headwaters of Center Hill Lake where the Caney Fork and Collins Rivers meet. The park is home to several waterfalls, including the unique Twin Falls, which pour out of a limestone bluff and flow directly into the river. The trails near the gorge offer great views, and there are easy access points for exploring the water. We found the area near the old cotton mill especially scenic. This park has a mix of history and natural beauty, and it was a peaceful addition to our waterfall trip. Families should be aware that swimming is only allowed in designated areas due to strong currents near the falls.

Budget-Friendly Takeaways

1. Stay in Crossville for easy day trips to each waterfall. The town offers affordable lodging and convenient access to grocery stores and restaurants.
2. Cumberland Mountain State Park is a good option for families who want cabins or campsites with hiking trails right on-site.
3. Pack water shoes for creek crossings, especially at Cummins Falls. Hiking shoes are also recommended for some of the steeper trails like Piney Falls and Stinging Fork.
4. Bring snacks and plenty of water for the trails. Many of these locations have limited services once you’re hiking.
5. Plan ahead for permits, especially for Cummins Falls. Gorge access is limited for safety and often fills up on weekends.
6. Check park hours before visiting, as trail access is often restricted after dusk.

Final Thoughts

This six-stop waterfall itinerary gave us a mix of popular parks and quiet natural areas, all within an hour’s drive from Crossville. From the towering drop at Fall Creek Falls to the adventurous hike behind Piney Falls, each stop offered something different. It was a fun and affordable way to explore the natural beauty of central Tennessee. We hope it inspires your own Frugal Family adventure.

DeSoto State Park: Waterfalls, Wilderness, and Wallet Friendly Fun

Looking for an affordable family getaway filled with fresh air, forest trails, and stunning waterfalls? We recently spent a weekend exploring DeSoto State Park in Northeast Alabama, and it quickly became one of our favorite budget-friendly destinations.

Perched atop Lookout Mountain, this beautiful park offers a perfect mix of hiking, waterfall views, and peaceful spots to relax. Whether you're looking for adventure or just a quiet escape into nature, DeSoto State Park is a great pick.

Where We Stayed

We stayed at the DeSoto State Park Lodge, which was clean, comfortable, and conveniently located right by the trailheads. From the lodge, we hopped on the Blue Trail, one of the park’s most scenic hikes. This trail follows along the West Fork of Little River and winds past several beautiful waterfalls and natural features, including:

1. Lodge Falls just steps from the lodge
2. Azalea Cascade, tucked in a peaceful wooded nook
3. Indian Falls, with its unique rock formation
4. Laurel Falls and Lost Falls, both well worth the walk especially after a recent rain

The trail is well marked and family friendly, though there are a few rocky sections along the river that make good shoes a must.

Don’t Miss: DeSoto Falls

Of course, you can’t visit without seeing the park’s namesake — DeSoto Falls. Located about seven miles north of the lodge, this waterfall is one of the tallest and most impressive in Alabama. You can enjoy a view from above at the DeSoto Falls Picnic Area, where a short paved path leads to an overlook.

But for a real adventure, we recommend hiking to the base of the falls. To find this trail, look for the trailhead on DeSoto Falls Road, just before the road ends at the picnic area. The hike is beautiful and includes a stop at the Ice Box Cave, a naturally chilled spot that feels amazing on a warm day.

Know Before You Go

There’s no general entrance fee for DeSoto State Park, which is great news for frugal families. However, there is a $5 parking fee at the DeSoto Falls Picnic Area — unless you are staying overnight at the park (like we were), in which case the fee is waived. Just display your lodge or campground pass on your dash.

What to Pack

If you’re planning to hit the trails, don’t forget to bring plenty of water and bug spray. The trails are gorgeous but the bugs can be active, especially in warmer months. There are lots of picnic areas throughout the park, so pack lunch or snacks and take time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Frugal Family Tips

1. Free park access to trails and scenic areas, except for the small fee at DeSoto Falls Picnic Area. However, this fee is waived for park overnight guests.  
2. Affordable lodging at the park lodge or campground
3. Bring your own picnic or snacks to cut down on dining costs
4. Visit in spring or fall for the best weather and fewer crowds
5. Consider also visiting the Little River Canyon and Falls while in the area.  

Our weekend at DeSoto State Park was everything we hoped for — beautiful, peaceful, and easy on the wallet. If your family loves waterfalls, forest trails, and spending time together in nature, we highly recommend adding this spot to your travel list!!

Chasing Waterfalls at Cloudland Canyon State Park

Even though our little Frugal Family Travelers are grown, we still love our frugal family adventures!  Cloudland Canyon State Park delivered a full day of beauty, challenge, and waterfall magic without breaking the bank.  Located in Rising Fawn, GA and with a $5 entry fee for day use, this northwest Georgia gem gave us a whole day’s worth of exploration and stunning scenery.  While we didn’t stay overnight, the park offers a variety of lodging options including cabins, cottages, yurts, and tent campsites for those looking to extend the fun. 

Cherokee and Hemlock Falls – A Stairmaster with a View

We began our day tackling the waterfall trail, which is home to Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls.  Be aware, it’s a descent (and climb) of around 600 steps and approximately 2 miles round trip.  But every single one is worth it.  Cherokee Falls is the first you’ll come to, and it’s the kind of place that stops you in your tracks.  The clear water tumbles into a shaded pool that’s perfect for a quiet moment contemplating life, reading a book, or even a family photo!   Further down the trail, and another descent, via steps, is Hemlock Falls, which feels a little more hidden.  The sound of rushing water and the cool canyon air was the perfect reward after all that stair-stepping.  You may even want to tarry a bit on the bridge and let the hurriedness of life melt away for a bit!!  We’d definitely recommend packing plenty of water and snacks and even suggest finding a safe spot to dip your feet in the chilly stream below.  Just be sure to research ahead of time as most of the hikes in the park are strenuous, especially for younger children and small dogs!  Though don’t be discouraged, simply complete smaller portions of the longer trails.  

Western Loop Trail – Forest Views and Canyon Peeks

After conquering the waterfalls we headed back up the canyon (hello, quad workout).  Then we continued our journey on the 4.7 mile Western Loop Trail, a moderatly strenuous trail that loops through forested terrain and offers views of the scenic canyon overlooks along the way.  It’s a great way to stretch your legs without the intensity of the waterfall steps.  

Sitton’s Gulch Trail – A Peaceful Walk Along the Water

After completing the Western Loop Trail we took a break for lunch at the picnic pavilion in the day use area.  Shady and clean, it was a great spot to rest, refuel, and rehydrate before our final adventure for the day on the Sitton’s Gulch Trail.  We drove to the trailhead and were glad we saved this one for last.  It’s approximately 4.2 miles, but a little less strenuous, following the creek through a lush, rocky gorge. The sound of the water and the cooler temps in the shade made for a peaceful wrap-up to our adventure. We even saw a few families with children on this trail, which seems like a more approachable option if you're bringing little ones.

Final Thoughts:

Address and Driving Directions: Click Here

Cloudland Canyon State Park is a dream for nature lovers and waterfall chasers. Whether you’re coming for a day like we did or planning a weekend getaway, there’s no shortage of trails and views to enjoy. Just remember: most hikes here are on the tougher side, so come prepared with good shoes, plenty of water, and an adventurous spirit. And maybe a few snacks for motivation.

Extend Your Visit:

Cloudland Canyon is also conveniently close to other great spots we've explored, like DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon National Preserve (check out our previous posts for more on those day trip ideas or combine them with other activities in the blog to create a whole vacation itinerary).  Blue Hole in Soddy Daisy is not far and a relaxing swimming hole for the young and old alike.  

Our Frugal Family Travelers wish you well on your frugal family adventures! 

Canopied Hiking Paradise

If you and your Frugal Family Travelers are looking for something to do in the great outdoors, consider visiting the Mary Ann Brown Preserve in St.  Francisville.  Although in Louisiana, just outside Baton Rouge,  the terrain is quite hilly with several overlooks and bridges, which traverse over creek beds.  These features make the preserve a beautiful place for those seeking a hiking opportunity with a more rugged mountainous feel.   The trail is also completely canopied with trees which makes it the perfect hike on a hot day.  Also appealing is the opportunity to group this excursion with other attractions in the area to create a weekend or longer getaway (see links below pictures).

Admission:

Free

Website to Preserve: 

Mary Ann Brown Nature Preserve

Note:   Pack bug spray, water and snacks!  Several  benches can be found on the trail, so consider packing a lunch to enjoy during one of your hiking breaks! 

Additional Links: 

The Myrtles  - most haunted historic home!

Clark Creek - waterfalls in Louisiana.   

Cat Island - home to the 1,000+ year old bald cypress tree.  

Audubon State Historic Site/old Centenary Collage/Train Museum

Enjoy the pictures from our hike!

Disclaimer:

All content provided on Frugal Family Travelers blog is for informational purposes only. The owners of this blog make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.  The owners of Frugal Family Travelers blog do not share personal information with third-parties and are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without permission.  As with all travel, operating days, times, costs, etc., should be verified prior to departure.

1,000+ Year Old Tree in Louisiana?

Did you know that Louisiana is home to the largest bald cypress tree in the United States?  Don’t feel bad if your answer was no!   Actually, our Frugal Family Travelers were unaware of this as well until a recent trip to St. Francisville, Louisiana.     

At 83 ft. tall and 54 ft. in circumference, the bald cypress at Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge is the 6th largest tree in the US.   Even more impressive is that the tree is estimated to be between 1,000-1,500 years old.  This is pretty impressive considering that the 5 top oldest trees in the United States reside in California!

Piqued your interest yet?  We certainly hope so!   With that being said, do not be deterred from planning a visit here if you are not a skilled hiker.   The trail from the parking area to the tree is short and the terrain quite flat, which makes this a very accessible adventure for the youngest and even most inexperienced hikers.   

The record tree and surrounding grove of old growth cypress trees are breathtaking and certainly worthy to add to your outdoor bucket list!  Scroll down to view photos, details, directions and also other attractions in the area to make visiting St. Francisville a true get-away.

Admission: 

Free

Web-site:

Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge

Click below for Directions:

Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge

Driving Directions to the Headquarters

From U.S. Highway 61 in St. Francisville take Commerce Street into town. The office is located at 5720 Commerce St. It is co-located with the St. Francisville Inn, which is next to the park and across the street from the Ford dealership.

Driving Directions to the Refuge

From U.S. Highway 61 go north of St. Francisville to Highway 66 and turn left (west toward Angola). After 1.5 miles, turn left on Solitude Road. Go about 3.5 miles and turn right at the refuge sign. Go another 1.5 miles to the refuge entrance. Enjoy your visit to Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge!

Note:  The refuge is used by hunters.   Check the official website for hunting schedules, refuge rules and closures before traveling here.  However, don’t be deterred!   Plan a visit- it’s a spectacular place to behold! 

Follow the links below to discover and create a full weekend (or longer) itinerary of activities in the area!

Mary Ann Brown Nature Preserve

The Myrtles  - most haunted historic home!

Clark Creek - waterfalls in Louisiana.   

Audubon State Historic Site/old Centenary Collage/Train Museum

Enjoy the pictures from our Frugal Family Adventure: 

Look carefully to the right side base of the tree.  Our Frugal Family Traveler (pictured in purple) gives you an idea of the scale of the tree! 

Disclaimer:

All content provided on Frugal Family Travelers blog is for informational purposes only. The owners of this blog make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.  The owners of Frugal Family Travelers blog do not share personal information with third-parties and are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without permission.  As with all travel, operating days, times, costs, etc., should be verified prior to departure.

Hidden Hiking Treasure

A recent survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Fishing and Boating Recreational Foundation indicates that “six in 10 Americans now have a new appreciation of nature as a result of the coronavirus pandemic”. With that being said, enjoying the great outdoors is nothing new for our Frugal Family Travelers, but if there is anything good that has grown out of these trying times, it’s that people are rediscovering the beauty to be found outside within the world.  One can only hope that this will also cultivate an awareness of the growing need to keep trail systems, streams, and ponds free of litter, which is particularly important, in light of the survey’s finding. 

All of the above brings our Frugal Family Travelers to an outdoor gem discovered in Slidell, LA, not far from Camp Salmen Nature Park, on a trail system which encompasses part of the undeveloped Tammany Trace.   Our Frugal Family Travelers have hiked the trail numerous times now and have enjoyed the diverse terrain which includes hills, bayous, ponds, as well as ridges formed by an old rail line long since forgotten.  The unassuming trailhead is located at a small undeveloped parking area with signage that marks the trail entrance (see pictures and directions below for specific information).   At the start of the journey, hikers will embark on a blue “in and out” trail, with a loop section at the ending point, which leads back to the trailhead.   To discover an additional waypoint, hikers also have the option to take a green spur off the the blue trail.  Trails are clearly marked but be sure to pay careful attention to the directional arrows when hiking, especially on the more open stretches of the trail. You may also want to bring a camera to take pictures and, if you are a good steward of the earth, bring a trash bag to pick-up any litter you see.   As stated earlier, our Frugal Family Travelers have enjoyed this hidden gem, but more importantly have taken on the task of picking up litter during each hike.   Nothing makes us feel better than cleaning up the community and also cleaning up a beautiful part of nature that will hopefully bring other Frugal Family Travelers some outdoor joy! 

Directions: Use your GPS to map to the corner of Donya Street and Browns Village Road in Slidell Louisiana.  There you will find a small gravel parking area (on Browns Village) with a round blue hiking symbol and a trail sign affixed to a tree, which points the way to the trail entrance.

Map: 

Cost: Free

Don’t forget: water, bug spray, plastic bags for trash removal 

Enjoy the various sights our Frugal Family Travelers discovered on the trail: 

Disclaimer:

All content provided on Frugal Family Travelers blog is for informational purposes only. The owners of this blog make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owners 

of Frugal Family Travelers blog do not share personal information with third-parties and are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without permission. As with all travel, operating days, times, costs, etc., should be verified prior to departure.