Lost Creek Falls - A Quiet Escape

 While you won't get lost walking the trail from the parking lot to the base of the waterfall, the peace and serenity you find at Lost Creek Falls will make you feel like being lost in an adventure. This easy trail, beautiful surrounding rocks and adorable 60' waterfall make for an enchanting time away from the noise of the city and hustle and bustle of life. 

Lost Creek Falls is notable for being in the movie The Jungle Book in the 90's. The Falls is now a part of Falls Creek Falls State Park and found within Lost Creek State Natural Area (LCSNA). If you're feeling extra adventurous there is an approximately 4-mile (*each way*) out-and-back hiking trail from LCSNA to Virgin Falls! We'll cover that hike in a separate post! But back to Lost Creek Falls!

I would consider the trail to be easy, one that any age can do. There are some roots that stick out here or there and you do have to go down some stairs but among Tennessee Waterfalls, this is one of the easiest ones to access by foot. 

      

Once you get to the bottom you can just relax and take in the peace and quiet. In the early fall months, water may be hardly flowing, but when you get into the winter and spring months she'll be fuller and very impressive for being one of the smaller waterfalls around.

                                                                              

It's lovely how you can see this waterfall from many different angles!

One thing to note while visiting here, there are no restrooms or porta-potties, just nature's bathroom so be aware and prepared for that if you plan to spend a little time here on your adventure. 

There is a cave as well (Lost Creek Cave) however it is not available to enter year-round as they do close it for bat hibernation (this is home to the federally protected Indian bat!).*** In the season when you can access it, know that you do have to get a no-cost permit before entering.*** Permit can be obtained at the Nature Center at Fall Creek Falls. 

 

Above are pictures of the Cave Entrance at LCSNA. The rock around it is incredible and the cold air from the cave can be felt far away from the entrance to the cave! Very cool to see even if you can't currently go inside. You'll see a sign up at the entrance to the trail at the parking lot and also a hanging sign by the entrance to the cave noting if you can or cannot cave. but remember...permit first and only during months when it's allowed.

If you are wanting to see another view of Lost Creek Falls you can take the trail to the left at the parking lot to the top. There is a sign that indicates it is the trial to the top. You can basically see where the flow of the water comes from at the top if you take this trail but not the top you're seeing if looking from the bottom. I liked the short trail to the top as fall colors were all around but it is uphill the whole way to the top. It was short and not very strenuous unless you aren't used to walking at an incline. 

Here is a view from the top of the trail where the water flows down to feed the waterfall. As you can see it wasn't flowing hard the day we went.

This is what the trail looks like leading to the top, if the leaves have fallen, be careful of stumps and roots along the trail. They were hard to see and I tripped over quite a few with my graceful self lol!

All in all, this is a wonderful little waterfall to visit. Well worth the drive and short time it would take to explore it all. 

Some key things to remember when visiting Tennessee Waterfalls:

✔ Leave no trace - we have beautiful natural areas, help us keep them clean.

✔Research where you are going before you go; know how to prepare and what to bring.

✔Slow down and enjoy! Have yourself a great adventure!

Kayaking Adventures of Tennessee

**This is not an all-inclusive list of everything you need to know before you go. Just some highlights on some important things to know. Be sure to know the difficulty of your hike/kayak vs. your skill level, have proper directions and know the rules before you go for your best experience here in middle Tennessee. Research, Prepare, Adventure!***