Cookeville is on the Cumberland Plateau. Gorges, waterfalls, and state parks are in the surrounding area. A drive of about 30 minutes reaches hiking in several directions. Seven hikes are listed below.
7. City Lake Natural Area
The trail: Bridgeway Dr, Cookeville. Free, open daily.
City Lake Natural Area is 35 acres of woods inside Cookeville city limits. City Lake Falls is at the end of a short, flat trail. The trail has no technical sections and no permit. Dogs are allowed on a leash. The trail is flat and maintained, including for people with limited mobility and people returning to walking.
6. Cane Creek Park
201 CC Camp Road, Cookeville. Free.
Cane Creek Park is approximately 300 acres inside Cookeville city limits, centered on a 56-acre lake. The city lists paved trails and a mountain-bike trail, plus fishing, disc golf, playgrounds, courts, and picnic areas. The walks cross footbridges, go through woods, and open near the creek. Admission is free. No reservation or permit is required. The mountain-bike trails are maintained.
5. Bee Rock Recreation Area
Bee Rock Rd, Monterey, TN. Near I-40. Free.
Bee Rock Recreation Area is on Bee Rock Road in Monterey, near I-40. Admission is free. The hike to the overlook takes about 20 minutes. The overlook is a sandstone outcrop over the gorge. On a clear day the view covers miles of the Cumberland Plateau. More trails continue past the main overlook. The terrain is plateau and cliff, which is different from the gorge trails at Burgess Falls and Cummins Falls.
4. Window Cliffs State Natural Area
About 18 miles southwest of Cookeville. 275 acres. Free.
Window Cliffs State Natural Area is about 18 miles southwest of Cookeville and covers 275 acres. Admission is free. The trail follows a creek through a limestone gorge and is mostly flat because it stays on the creek bottom. The windows are natural arches cut through the limestone by water. The gorge stays cooler than many trails in summer. The creek crossing uses stepping stones or wet shoes, depending on the water level. Check conditions before you go.
3. Edgar Evins State Park
About 20 miles west of Cookeville on Center Hill Lake. Free.
Edgar Evins State Park is about 20 miles west of Cookeville on Center Hill Lake. Admission is free. The park has about 12 miles of trails, from short easy routes to the Merritt Ridge Trail, a 5.35-mile hike through hardwood forest to ridge views over the lake. The Merritt Ridge Trail and the Millennium Trail together make an 8-mile loop. The drive is about 25 minutes from Cookeville. The loop has real elevation change. A marina is at the park, so the same day can include kayaking. Fall brings color on the ridge above the lake.
2. Burgess Falls State Park
Burgess Falls Rd, Sparta, TN. (931) 432-5312. Free.
Burgess Falls State Park has four waterfalls on one trail. The hike is a 4-mile round trip. Three falls increase in size before the main cascade, which drops 136 feet. The trail has rocky sections and a descent on the way to the main falls, and the return is uphill. A swimming area is there for a summer afternoon when the weather cooperates. On summer weekends the parking lot can fill by 10 a.m. and the trail gets crowded. Weekday mornings in spring or fall have more space. The canyon has clearer light then, and the falls run stronger after rain. The lower trail near the main falls has wet rocks and needs careful footing. The trail to the first two falls is manageable for most fitness levels. Admission is free. Call (931) 432-5312 to check conditions.
1. Cummins Falls State Park
390 Cummins Falls Ln, Cookeville. (931) 268-0600. Free, gorge permit required.
Cummins Falls State Park is nine miles from downtown Cookeville. Admission is free. A gorge permit is required. The waterfall drops 75 feet into a pool at the base of the gorge. The gorge trail includes roots, boulders, and a creek crossing. The permit system is in place because the gorge floods quickly in rain. Check conditions before you go. Stay out of the gorge if rain is in the forecast. The upper trail to the overlook is less demanding and still has a view of the falls. The water at the base is cold. The gorge permit is free and is issued by Tennessee State Parks. Summer weekend permits book out days in advance. Weekday mornings in late spring and early fall have stronger water, milder temperatures, and fewer people. Book the gorge permit online through the Tennessee State Parks site.
All seven hikes are within 45 minutes of downtown Cookeville.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best hikes near Cookeville TN?
Cummins Falls State Park is nine miles from downtown Cookeville. The waterfall is 75 feet and drops into a pool in the gorge. The route to the base is a scramble. Burgess Falls State Park near Sparta has four waterfalls on a 4-mile round trip. The main cascade is 136 feet.
Is there good hiking near Cookeville Tennessee?
Cookeville is on the Cumberland Plateau. Hiking is within 45 minutes in several directions. Inside the city limits, Cane Creek Park and City Lake Natural Area have trails. Window Cliffs State Natural Area, within 30 minutes, has a limestone gorge trail. Cummins Falls, Burgess Falls, and Edgar Evins State Park are within 45 minutes.
What state parks are near Cookeville TN?
Cummins Falls State Park is 9 miles from downtown Cookeville. Edgar Evins State Park on Center Hill Lake is about 20 miles west. Burgess Falls State Park is roughly 30 minutes away near Sparta. Fall Creek Falls State Park has a 256-foot waterfall, is about 65 miles southwest, and is a day trip.
Best waterfall hike near Cookeville
Cummins Falls is 9 miles from downtown. A free permit is required for gorge access. Burgess Falls State Park near Sparta has four falls, including a 136-foot main cascade. Window Cliffs State Natural Area has natural limestone arches and a creek-bottom gorge trail about 18 miles southwest of Cookeville.
Where can I hike near Cookeville Tennessee?
Cane Creek Park at 201 CC Camp Road has paved paths and a mountain-bike trail inside Cookeville city limits. Bee Rock Recreation Area near Monterey is off I-40. The overlook hike takes about 20 minutes. Cummins Falls, Burgess Falls, and Pickett CCC State Park are within 90 minutes.