State Parks Near Center Hill Lake

Rock Island

Rock Island State Park, spanning 883 acres, is nestled at the headwaters of Center Hill Lake where the Caney Fork, Collins, and Rocky Rivers converge. Renowned for its rugged beauty and stunning waterfalls, the park is home to the Caney Fork River Gorge, one of Tennessee’s national treasures. This gorge is a popular destination for hiking and swimming, offering deep-blue pools, scenic trails, and breathtaking cascades. Among these cascades is Great Falls, a 30-foot waterfall located below a 19th-century cotton textile mill that it once powered.

Two of the park’s most popular waterfalls are Great Falls and Twin Falls. Most visitors begin their adventure by exploring these iconic sites. Twin Falls, the largest waterfall in the park, stands at 80 feet tall and can be viewed from the parking lot at the end of Powerhouse Road or by hiking the Downstream Trail along the river to the base of the falls. Great Falls, a 30-foot waterfall in the Caney Fork River Gorge, is best viewed from the overlook at the Historic Cotton Mill. This overlook is a short walk from the parking area and offers an excellent overhead view of the falls.

82 Beach Road Rock Island, TN 38581

Burgess Falls

Located on the Falling Water River, Burgess Falls State Park is a day-use area renowned for its natural beauty and four breathtaking waterfalls cascading down from over 250 feet in elevation. The most spectacular of these falls plunges more than 130 feet into a gorge, stunningly displaying nature’s power.

Burgess Falls is also known for its wildlife and wildflower viewing. The Native Butterfly Garden, located adjacent to the upper parking area, is easily accessible and showcases striking native wildflower displays.

The park’s River Trail/Service Road Loop offers a moderately strenuous hike, leading visitors past the waterfalls, which include 20-foot cascades, 30-foot upper falls, 80-foot middle falls, and the impressive 136-foot lower falls. The half-mile Ridge Top Trail provides scenic views down the main canyon of the Falling Water River. All trails in the park are foot trails, and while the gorge itself is inaccessible due to the removal of the staircase, the overlook remains open, offering impressive views of the falls and surrounding landscape.

4000 Burgess Falls Drive Sparta, TN 38583

Window Cliffs

Window Cliffs is a breathtaking 275-acre state natural area that opened to the public in April 2017 and is managed by Burgess Falls State Park. Located approximately 18 miles south of Cookeville in southern Putnam County, Window Cliffs is known for its striking geological clifftop feature. This prominent formation consists of a narrow, elongated ridge that rises dramatically in the neck of an incised meander of Cane Creek.

Open year-round from 8:00 AM until one hour before sunset, Window Cliffs is a day-use area that offers a challenging hiking experience. The 2.7-mile trail, which requires two and a half to three hours to complete the 5.4-mile round trip, is considered difficult to strenuous. Hikers must navigate 18 creek crossings that can be impassable during high water due to the lack of bridges, relying instead on cables and rock crossings. Check for active alerts and weather reports before visiting, as the trail can close unexpectedly due to flooding.

Camping is prohibited, but nearby state parks like Standing Stone, Rock Island, and Edgar Evins offer cabins and camping facilities.

8400 Old Cane Creek Rd Baxter, TN 38544

Fall Creek Falls

One of Tennessee’s most expansive and frequently visited state parks is Fall Creek Falls State Park, over 29,800 acres on the eastern crest of the rugged Cumberland Plateau. The park offers a rich natural landscape, including gorges, waterfalls, cascades, streams, and dense virgin hardwood forests. Among its natural spectacles is Fall Creek Falls, which, at 256 feet, stands as one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern United States. The park also features Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades.

Fall Creek Falls has thirty cabins, 222 campsites, and an 85-room lodge. The park also permits backcountry camping with a prior permit. The park boasts over 56 miles of trails, accommodating brief strolls and longer hikes, including two long-distance overnight trails. The Nature Center provides learning, crafts, games, and live entertainment.

The park’s challenging 18-hole golf course ranks among Tennessee’s finest. The Fall Creek Falls Golf Course caters to all golfing needs, including lessons and equipment rentals. Four playgrounds, five covered picnic pavilions, and an Olympic-sized pool are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

2009 Village Camp Rd,
Spencer, TN 38585

Edgar Evins

Edgar Evins State Park is a scenic gem nestled on the shores of Center Hill Lake in the rolling landscapes of the Eastern Highland Rim. Spanning 6,000 acres, this park is your go-to destination for fun under the sun with cozy cabins, cool campsites, and a bustling marina that even boasts its own restaurant and gift shop—talk about shopping with a view!

But wait, there’s more! The park is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise, home to a feathered fan club that includes three owl varieties, plenty of hawks, and even majestic bald eagles in the winter. Not to mention, the rare Cerulean Warbler loves to summer here among the lush hardwood forests peppered with Tulip Poplars, Oaks, and more. Don’t forget to hit up the observation tower at the Visitor Center for breathtaking panoramas of Center Hill Lake and its dramatic hillsides. It’s nature’s own blockbuster, and you’ve got front-row seats!

1630 Edgar Evins State Park Road
Silver Point, TN 38582