Rock Island State Park - Twin Falls Part 2 - Kayaking

 While it is very easy to walk down to view Twin Falls from the parking lot, there is something special about being able to kayak there! It is a very short kayak. However, you will feel like you're in another world with the curtain of water falling to your right and the peaceful sounds of the local wildlife.

There are some really important things to note about Rock Island before you go. Twin Falls is on Center Hill Lake, the dam that fills the lake is just upstream from Twin Falls (Great Falls Dam). When that is spilling this is NOT a safe area. Like I have said in my other blogs, know where you are going and be prepared even though this is a short trip. I want to emphasize wearing a life jacket here, even though you should always have it on no matter your swimming skill. 

For all the information you need to know before you go, hit up the State Park website in the link below and don't be afraid to call the park to ask questions. Don't ask people online as you may not get accurate answers:

Rock Island State Park

There is another great article on staying safe/knowing before you go to Rock Island Here:

Tennessee Dept. Of Tourism

Water levels are only up to a summer pool on Center Hill Lake for 3-4 months starting in the spring. This is the time you'll be able to make this paddle if the conditions are right. Keep in mind this is on a lake so there is boat traffic. If a boat is coming, move away from the rocks on thee side. When we went in May 2021 I was watching the waves come by from boats and the water was getting sucked up under the rocks. If we were right next to them we would have been getting pulled into those rocks. Always be aware of your surroundings when kayaking.

The put-in is at The Sand Bar Beach in Rock Island State Park. If you are looking at the water you are going to turn right and go around the corner. It is a very short distance to Twin Falls but has amazing views along the way.* An important note: Swimming/wading is not allowed from the main beach boat ramp to the powerhouse (this is just upstream from Twin Falls) due to the possibility of hidden/deadly currents.* Always follow the rules, stay in your kayak and come home safe from your adventures. Here it is on the map so you can get an idea of the distance:

Now for that curtain of water you'll see along the way that makes the trip so worth dragging out your kayak, loading it up and making the trip here:

I stopped for some time just to enjoy this particular area. We came on a low-traffic day and could just enjoy nature and all it had to offer! All in all, it is a fun and short paddle. If you are looking for a longer paddle you can start at Horshoe Bend Marina Area, but again, make sure water levels are up and make sure it's safe to paddle before you go. Here are some more pictures from our trip May 2021:

If you're looking for a nice quick paddle with an incredible reward at the end, Rock Island is a great choice. Just know how to be prepared, how to be safe, and always wear your life vest. Try to go on a low-traffic day, like early morning on a weekday if you want the area more to yourself. 

Remember to follow park rules, leave no trace, and help to protect and preserve our beautiful natural areas. 

**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!***