Planning a Visit to Cummins Falls State Park

Cummins Falls State Park sits on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River in Jackson County, about nine miles north of Cookeville. Its namesake waterfall is 75 feet high, and Tennessee State Parks describes it as the state’s eighth largest waterfall by volume.

The Waterfall Overlook Trail offers a view of the falls without taking you into the gorge; the overlook can be reached on foot.

The main parking area, restrooms, trailheads and designated picnic area are above the falls, so you can find those facilities before setting off on a trail. Livingston’s town setting and local highlights are covered in this visitor’s guide to Livingston, Tennessee.

The overlook trail gives you a view of Cummins Falls without entering the gorge, while reaching the waterfall’s base involves a strenuous hike and water travel. Tennessee State Parks describes the gorge route as rugged and steep, with uneven terrain, significant elevation drops, riverbed walking, water crossings, boulders and other obstacles. These are not improved trails.

Reaching the falls involves strenuous hiking, swimming or wading through water, climbing rocks and crossing slippery rocks. Plan for those conditions before choosing the gorge route. If you want to keep your visit to the overlook, you can see the falls without entering the gorge.

Accessible parking at the Waterfall Overlook is subject to a road-maintenance restriction. All-terrain wheelchairs remain available by online request or on a first-come basis onsite, so check the park’s official information if you need one.

You need a Gorge Access Permit to enter the gorge or visit the base of the waterfall. Tennessee State Parks recommends buying permits online in advance because the daily quantity is limited; they can also be purchased at the park visitor center.

The permit purchase page limits purchases to 12 permits. Gorge access depends on weather, and the gorge may close without warning. Permits are not refundable, exchangeable, transferable to another date or eligible for rain checks, so consider the possibility of a closure before purchasing.

The gorge is prone to flash flooding, and rain upstream can raise water levels within minutes even when it is not raining at the park. Leave the waterfall base if the water volume increases, and pay attention to conditions while you are in the gorge.

Tennessee State Parks recommends that children aged five and under not go to the falls. Children aged 12 and under must wear life vests at the falls and be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own personal flotation device or life jacket; a limited number of jackets are available at the park for adults and children.

Park hours are listed as 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM in season and 4:30 PM in the off-season; the gorge closes at 5:00 PM in season.

Hours vary by season, and access can be affected by conditions, so check the official site before you go. For trail conditions and closure alerts from onsite staff, Tennessee State Parks directs visitors to the Cummins Falls State Park Facebook page.

For a park day trip from Livingston, Cummins Falls State Park is about 16.5 miles from the 3-star Overton Motel. The park office address is 390 Cummins Falls Lane, Cookeville, TN 38501.

Use the park office address to plan your route, and check current directions before setting out. The park is a day-use destination, with its parking, restrooms, trailheads and designated picnic area above the falls. Livingston is also a starting point for a day at Dale Hollow Lake.