Rock Island State Park is home to some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in Tennessee! While most people might be familiar with the two main waterfalls in the park (Twin and Great), there are numerous others – most unnamed and unmapped. And I’m going to tell you all about them!
In this detailed guide, I’ll share exactly how to find the beautiful Rock Island waterfalls, including where to park and how to hike through the gorge. I’ll even share some FAQs, places to stay, and other things to do in the park and surrounding areas!
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ROCK ISLAND STATE PARK AT A GLANCE
Before diving in, here are a few highlights for planning a trip to Rock Island State Park.
- Getting There: The closest major airport to Rock Island is Nashville International. Find affordable flights here.
- Entrance Fee: FREE (All Tennessee State Parks are free!)
- Where to Stay: Camp in the park, stay in one of the park’s cabins, or stay right outside the park in the town of Cookeville or Sparta.
- How to Get Around: You’ll need to rent a personal vehicle to get around Rock Island.
- Best Time to Visit: Summer
- How Long to Visit: 1-2 days
The Only Rock Island Waterfalls Guide You’ll Need
Twin Falls
Twin Falls is the largest waterfall in the park. It is 80 feet tall and probably double that in width! View it from the Twin Falls Overlook parking area or by taking the Downstream Trail to the base of the falls.
Note that Twin Falls is located down Power House Road. This road is separated from the main park road.
To get to Twin Falls from the main park area (i.e. the visitor center, beach, campgrounds, etc.), follow Beach Road to Great Falls Road. Turn left onto Great Falls Road. Follow the road for about 2 miles until you reach the stop sign (the ice cream trolley shop will be on your right). Turn left onto Rock Island Road. In a little over 1 mile, turn left onto Power House Road. A small sign indicates that a waterfall is down the road. Follow the road until it dead-ends. There will be a large gravel parking area on the right. Twin Falls, along with the gorge and trails are located down the stairs.
Great Falls
Great Falls is a semi-circle of 30-foot waterfalls in the Caney Fork River Gorge area. View the falls and the rocky shelves from above at the Old Mill Picnic Area parking lot or take the strenuous Old Mill Gorge Trail to the river gorge. Once down to the gorge, turn right and follow the slippery rocks to the falls.
Little Falls
50-foot Little Falls is off the Downstream Trail near the Twin Falls Overlook.
You can view the falls from the top by turning right just past the Twin Falls Overlook and climbing the steep stairs.
But my favorite way to view it is by hiking through the waterfall. Continue straight past the turnoff until you reach the water crossing. Then turn right and walk through the water until you get to the base of the waterfall!
Unnamed Falls
There are many unnamed waterfalls in the park. Here are some of the ones you’ll find throughout Rock Island.
The falls near Great Falls in the Caney Fork River Gorge area. Take the Old Mill Gorge Trail down to the gorge, turn right, and follow the slippery rocks that lead toward Great Falls. Before you reach Great Falls, you’ll come across many waterfalls on the right. You can even walk behind them! (This is pictured above on the left).
The falls off Old Mill Gorge Trail. As you descend the slippery stairs from the Old Mill Picnic Area parking lot down the Old Mill Gorge Trail, you’ll see a shimmering waterfall to the left of the trail. (This is pictured above on the right).
The falls on the Blue Hole Trail. Find tumbling falls via the slippery Blue Hole Trail.
Where to Park to See the Falls
Great Falls – Old Mill Picnic Area
Twin Falls – Twin Falls Overlook at the end of Power House Road
Little Falls – Twin Falls Overlook at the end of Power House Road
Unnamed Falls on the Blue Hole Trail – Blue Hole Picnic Area
Unnamed Falls in the Caney Fork River Gorge – Old Mill Picnic Area
What to Expect While Hiking in the Rock Island Gorge
Hiking in the gorge is the best thing to do in Rock Island because you get close views of the falls. But doing this does come with some risks.
One, the gorge is filled with very swift currents. Over 100 people have died in the gorge over the years. Consider wearing a life jacket.
Two, the rocks are incredibly slippery. Use caution on wet rocks as they can be extremely slick. Always wear proper footwear in the gorge. These are my favorite water/hiking sandals; they have excellent traction!
Three, rising water is possible. The dam can release at any time, causing the water level to rise rapidly. Also, flash floods can occur during or after a rainstorm. If the water begins to rise, seek higher ground immediately.
The gorge will close if the park staff deems it unsafe for visitors. If the gorge closes, there are still plenty of other things to do in Rock Island. I will share those in the next section.
Other Things to Do in Rock Island State Park
Swim
Swimming and wading are popular things to do at Rock Island. Here are some of the best places to swim:
- Cold Hole – Access this from the Twin Falls parking via the Upstream Trail. This is the premiere swimming hole in the Caney Fork River Gorge.
- Warm Hole – Access this from Twin Falls parking via the Upstream Trail. This large basin of water in the gorge is shallow and heated by the sun, so it always stays warm.
- Swim Beach – Access the beach at the end of the main road, past the Visitor Center and campgrounds. This natural sand-silt shoreline of the Caney Fork River offers a boat ramp, a reservable picnic pavilion, and restrooms.
- Caney Fork River Gorge – Access this from the Old Mill Picnic Area or Twin Falls Overlook parking. Aside from Cold Hole and Warm Hole, there are many shallow pools and swimming holes in the rocky gorge.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT swim above Great Falls, near Twin Falls, or from the TVA Power House downstream to the main beach boat ramp.
Kayak
Launch your kayak from the beach’s boat ramp, and paddle to Twin Falls! Discover many smaller waterfalls tumbling from the rocky cliffs as you paddle to Twin. The journey to the falls is less than 0.5 miles (and 0.5 miles back to the beach).
Hike
There are nine 9 hiking trails in the park.
Downstream Trail – This 1.7-mile trail departs from the Twin Falls Overlook and continues along the very steep bluff line bordering the river. It features views of the Blue Hole below, Twin Falls, Little Falls, and cool rock formations.
Upstream Trail. This 1-mile trail begins at the Twin Falls Overlook and leads to Great Falls, Warm Hole, and Cold Hole via the gorge.
Old Mill Gorge Trail. This 1-mile trail departs from the Old Mill picnic area and provides access to the gorge via staircases. The trail into the gorge from the Old Mill is steep, wet, and rocky. Moving water frequently tumbles down the stairs. Once at the gorge, hikers can rock hop or swim.
Blue Hole Trail. This 1-mile trail is extremely steep, wet, and rugged. It runs down a windy slope that extends along a beautiful waterfall seep; some sections have moving water. This is also a very popular spot to fish.
Bluff Trail . This 1.7-mile multi-use trail begins at the tennis court parking area and features great views of Center Hill Lake.
Moonshine Trail. This 1-mile trail begins at the tennis court parking lot and ends next to campsite 39. It runs past the base of an old moonshine still. Wildlife is commonly spotted on this trail.
Eagle Trail. This 1.5-mile trail travels from the Blue Hole picnic area to the Badger Flat picnic area by the park’s sand beach on Center Hill Lake.
Collins River Nature Trail. This 3-mile loop runs along the outer edge of the Collin’s River peninsula and winds beside the riverbank.
Collins River Connector Trail. This 2-mile loop branches off of and starts from the Collin River Trailhead. This trail welcomes hikers and mountain bikers.
Have a Picnic
Enjoy a picnic at the beach (Badger Flat), Blue Hole, Playfields, or Old Mill.
Where to Stay in Rock Island
For utmost convenience, I’d recommend staying at one of the campgrounds or cabins at Rock Island State Park.
We stayed at the tent-only campground, and it was nice and quiet, yet still close to the gorge, the beach, and many hiking trails. Our campsite (pictured above) was #60!
Disconnected from the tent-only campground is a bustling RV and trailer campground (some sites will also accommodate tents). This bigger campground is also in a great location but quite a bit noisier. Which campground you choose will depend on what equipment you have and what kind of vibe you’re looking for.
If you’d like to stay in a hotel or a unique stay near Rock Island, check out the map below for current prices and availability.
Rock Island State Park FAQs
How many waterfalls are in Rock Island State Park?
There are three named waterfalls – Twin Falls, Great Falls, and Little Falls. Twin Falls and Great Falls appear on the official Rock Island State Park map, but Little Falls does not.
Great Falls is located off the Old Mill Picnic Area, and Twin Falls is located off the Twin Falls Overlook parking area, at the end of Power House Road.
Little Falls is located off the Downstream Trail near the Twin Falls Overlook.
There are many other falls in the park, all unnamed. You can even walk behind one of them! I’ll show a couple of unnamed falls below.
To get to the falls pictured above (on the right), park at the Old Mill Picnic Area parking lot, and take the steep trail down to the gorge. About halfway down to the gorge, you’ll spot the waterfall tumbling to the left.
To get to the falls pictured above (on the left), park at the Old Mill Picnic Area parking lot, and take the steep trail down to the gorge. Follow the gorge to the right; the falls will be tumbling off the cliffs on your right before you reach Great Falls.
More waterfalls are viewable from the Blue Hole Trail and via the paddle from the sand beach to Twin Falls.
How long is the hike to Twin Falls?
There are two trails you can take to see Twin Falls.
One is the Downstream Trail, which is 1.7 miles. The Downstream Trail starts at the Twin Falls Overlook and continues along the steep bluff line bordering the river. You’ll be treated to views of the Blue Hole, Twin Falls, Little Falls, and cool rock formations.
The other is via the gorge. Just off the Downstream Trail, shortly past the parking lot stairs, you’ll take the marked path to the left to descend into the gorge. The path is marked with a couple of tree markers, but beyond that, you will simply scramble along the boulder field until you reach the falls.
Do I have to hike to see the Rock Island waterfalls?
Not all of them!
You can see both Twin Falls and Great Falls from the parking areas. So even if the gorge is closed, you’ll still be able to see these gorgeous falls. View Great Falls from the Old Mill Picnic Area parking and Twin Falls from the Twin Falls Overlook parking area.
Little Falls requires a small hike down the Downstream Trail near the Twin Falls Overlook.
To see all of the tumbling cascades and falls in the gorge (like the one below), you’ll need to hike the steep Old Mill Gorge Trail into the river gorge and scramble through the boulders.
Unnamed waterfalls can also be viewed from the Blue Hole Trail (short but strenuous hike required) and via the paddle from the sand beach to Twin Falls (0.5-mile one-way paddling trip).
Can You Swim at Rock Island State Park?
Yes!
Here are some of the best places to swim at Rock Island State Park:
- Cold Hole – Access this from the Twin Falls parking via the Upstream Trail. This is the premiere swimming hole in the Caney Fork River Gorge.
- Warm Hole – Access this from Twin Falls parking via the Upstream Trail. This large basin of water in the gorge is shallow and heated by the sun, so it always stays warm.
- Swim Beach – Access the beach at the end of the main road, past the Visitor Center and campgrounds. This natural sand-silt shoreline of the Caney Fork River offers a boat ramp, a reservable picnic pavilion, and restrooms.
- Caney Fork River Gorge – Access this from the Old Mill Picnic Area or Twin Falls Overlook parking. Aside from Cold Hole and Warm Hole, there are many shallow pools and swimming holes in the rocky gorge.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT swim above Great Falls, near Twin Falls, or from the TVA Power House downstream to the main beach boat ramp.
Is Rock Island State Park worth it?
Yes! Rock Island is a premier destination for waterfall chasing, swimming, kayaking, hiking, and fishing.
Leave No Trace
As always, respect the landscape by packing your trash out. NEVER litter.
Always follow these 7 Leave No Trace Principles:
- Plan Ahead & Prepare
- Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
Read more about Leave No Trace and how you can do your part to protect these natural spaces here.
Things to Do Near Rock Island
Lucky for you, this area of Tennessee is filled with outdoorsy recreation areas! Here are some great things to do near Rock Island State Park.
Cummins Falls – River Hike
Just 45 miles from Rock Island State Park is another great state park, Cummins Falls!
While you can certainly view Cummins Falls from the trail’s overlook, the most popular thing to do in the park is to hike to the base of the falls.
Getting to the base of Cummins Falls involves a trek through the river, many exciting rock scrambles, and a few deep water crossings.
Read more about how to get your Cummins Falls permit and how to hike to the base of the falls in my full Cummins Falls guide.
Burgess Falls – Kayaking and Hiking
Burgess Falls State Park is about 20 miles from Rock Island. You can hike the river and ridge top trails and view the four majestic waterfalls (including the crown jewel, Lower Burgess Falls) from above. There is also a nice picnic pavilion and children’s play area.
If you’re interested in kayaking to the base of the falls, you can take a guided tour OR launch your own kayak at either Cane Hollow Recreation Area or Cookeville Boat Dock. The paddle to the falls ranges from 2 to 5 miles one way, depending on where you launch.
You can read more about paddling to Burgess Falls in my full guide here.
Window Cliffs – Hike Through 18 River Crossings
Window Cliffs State Natural Area is a small recreation area that is often overlooked and overshadowed thanks to its neighbor, Burgess Falls State Park.
At Window Cliffs, you’ll find one parking lot with one hiking trail. This trail is extremely interesting because it crosses the river 9 times (and 9 on the way back). The path dead-ends at a narrow rock outcropping with a spectacular view of the surrounding valley.
Fall Creek Falls State Park – Hiking and Waterfall Chasing
30 miles from Rock Island is Fall Creek Falls State Park, another spectacular place to chase waterfalls.
My favorite trail, the Base of Falls Trail, descends to the bottom of Fall Creek Falls. The 256-foot waterfall is so powerful, it’ll knock you off your feet. Literally and figuratively. I went swimming at the base of the falls, and due to the fierce wind blowing off the falls, I could barely stand upright.
Aside from the namesake Fall Creek Falls, don’t miss Piney Falls, Cane Creek Cascades, and Cane Creek Falls!
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
- Cummins Falls State Park
- Burgess Falls State Park
- Fall Creek Falls State Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- The Lost Sea
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Looks so enticing! Do you have insights into places that “novice” hikers might be successful?
Hi Jo! There are many beginner-friendly trails in Rock Island! My top recommendation would be to hike the Downstream Trail – it’s a 1.6 mile trail that goes right past Twin Falls and follows the river. And while the descent into the gorge from Old Mill Picnic Area is a little steep, this scramble is doable, even for beginners!
I am planning my TN waterfall vacation and have found all your info to be so helpful
Amazing! So glad my blog posts were helpful! Have a great time on your waterfall road trip!