Cane Creek Falls
Tennessee • 85 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.5 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Cane Creek Falls
Cane Creek Falls is an 85-foot cascade tucked into the upper Cane Creek Gorge inside Fall Creek Falls State Resort Park, which spans Van Buren and Bledsoe counties. The falls plunge into a narrow, forested gorge framed by the park’s dramatic geological formations; the park itself covers more than 30,638 acres and is centered on this same rugged canyon country. Visitors coming for waterfalls often pair a stop at Cane Creek with a visit to the park’s namesake, Fall Creek Falls, the 256-foot free-fall that is the tallest of its kind east of the Mississippi River (Wikipedia).
The Setting
Cane Creek Falls sits at 1,503 feet in the hills of Tennessee. The falls drop 85 feet.
Height: 85 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Fall Creek Falls (256 ft) lies 0.4 miles to the northwest. Also nearby: Piney Creek Falls (95 ft, 2.0 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
The trail winds through mature woods along the upper Cane Creek Gorge and terminates at a designated overlook that provides a clear view down into the gorge and across the falls. (Specific surface, grade, or USFS trail class/number data were not provided.)
What to Expect
The falls cascade 85 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Cane Creek Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fee: $0.00
🏊 Is There Swimming at Cane Creek Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting Cane Creek Falls, as the water flow is typically strongest during these seasons. However, the falls are beautiful year-round.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
Stay on designated trails and viewing platforms. The gorge area can be dangerous, and climbing or venturing off-trail is not recommended. Be cautious near the edges of the overlook.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Calfkiller River, 19.4 miles away, not on Cane Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
19 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 9 years of record
2.96 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge CALFKILLER RIVER AT HWY 70 AT SPARTA, TN (31 km away).
Today
Moderate
19 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Moderate
19 cfs
8/10Tue
Moderate
19 cfs
8/10Wed
Moderate
18 cfs
8/10Thu
Moderate
17 cfs
8/10Fri
Moderate
16 cfs
8/10Sat
Moderate
17 cfs
8/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, widespread frost then sunny (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early February to early April, peaking in February.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Spencer hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Cane Creek Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Cane Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 41°F to 33°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 19 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 221 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 85 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 1,504 feet.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 153 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 72 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing northeast, the falls catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,504 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 221 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Cane Creek Falls is located within Fall Creek Falls State Park, which is accessible via Highway 30 or Highway 111 in Tennessee. The waterfall is near the Betty Dunn Nature Center, and visitors can follow signs within the park to reach the viewing area.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking is available at the Betty Dunn Nature Center, which is a short walk from the Cane Creek Falls overlook.
Elevation
1,503 feet above sea level
Coordinates
35.662845° N, -85.350524° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Arrive early during peak seasons to secure parking and enjoy the falls without crowds. Wear sturdy shoes if you plan to explore other trails in the park.
Where to Stay
The Way Inn by OYO Spencer
Gas fireplace, firepit, and cedar Adirondack chair
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Crossville by IHG
Comfort Suites Crossville
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Other waterfalls in Fall Creek Falls State Park, including Fall Creek Falls and Piney Falls. The park also offers hiking trails, a nature center, and a suspension bridge.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors may also spot salamanders and other amphibians near the water.
Cities near Cane Creek Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Writing about Cane Creek Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.