Cummins Falls Gorge Trail Hiking Guide
Cummins Falls is the waterfall Tennesseans drive two hours for on a hot Saturday: a 75-foot cascade of stair-stepped ledges with a deep swimming hole at the bottom, reached not by a path but by wading and scrambling up the Blackburn Fork gorge. It is a genuine adventure and a genuinely hazardous one, which is why getting into the gorge now requires a permit, a safety video and a watchful eye on the sky.
Permit: Gorge Access Permit required to enter the gorge or reach the base of the falls; buy online in advance or at the visitor center. Non-refundable. The overlook trail needs no permit.
The Route
The standard route to the base runs about 2.5 miles round trip with around 370 feet of gain: down from the Falls Overlook Trail into the gorge, then upstream along and through the Blackburn Fork to the foot of the falls. Mapping apps rate it moderate; Tennessee State Parks calls the gorge very strenuous. Expect to wade, climb over slippery boulders and get wet to at least the knees.
The Gorge Access Permit
A Gorge Access Permit is required for anyone entering the gorge or going to the base of the falls. Buy it online through Tennessee State Parks reservations or at the visitor center; daily numbers are capped and there are no refunds, exchanges or rain checks. Everyone must watch a safety video. The overlook, which gives a good view of the falls from above, needs no permit and is free.
Flash Floods
The gorge operates on a fair-weather-only policy and closes without warning when rain or flash flooding threatens. Rain upstream can raise the water in minutes, even under a clear sky at the falls. If the water rises or turns muddy, get out of the gorge immediately. Check the park's alerts before you drive, and accept that a permit does not guarantee access on a stormy day.
Rules in the Gorge
Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket and be accompanied by an adult, and the park recommends against bringing children five and younger. Alcohol, glass containers, strollers and floats are prohibited. In season the gorge closes at 5 p.m. and the park at 6 p.m. Leashed dogs are allowed under state park policy, but the wading and boulder scrambling are hard on dogs and many hikers leave theirs at home.
Practicalities
Cummins Falls is near Cookeville, about 90 minutes east of Nashville. Wear closed-toe water shoes with good grip rather than sandals, and bring a dry bag for your phone. Summer is the peak season for swimming, and permits sell out on hot weekends, so book ahead.
Hiking tips for Cummins Falls Gorge Trail
- Buy your Gorge Access Permit ahead of time — daily numbers are capped and there are no refunds.
- Leave the gorge immediately if the water rises or turns muddy; flash floods arrive in minutes.
- Wear closed-toe water shoes with grip, not sandals, for the wading and boulder scrambling.
- Bring life jackets for any children 12 and under — the park requires them in the gorge.
- Check the park's alerts before driving; the gorge closes without warning in bad weather.
Nearby trails to explore
- Burgess Falls Trail
- Fall Creek Falls Gorge Overlook Trail
- Long Hunter Day Loop
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Cummins Falls is a road trip and a river scramble, and it is safer and more fun with a group. Use TrailMates to find Nashville hikers planning a falls day. Download the TrailMates app to connect.