Rock Island State Park: 1 Day Adventure

Nestled in the heart of Warren County, Tennessee, is the magnificent Rock Island State Park. This park is a true gem that boasts awe-inspiring waterfalls, breathtaking vistas, and rich heritage, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and waterfall chasers alike. Whether you are looking to explore the great outdoors, go camping, have a picnic, or indulge in some wildlife viewing, Rock Island State Park offers plenty of opportunities for you to do so. Below, you will find a one-day itinerary that will help you plan your adventure at Rock Island State Park.

Entrance Fee:

FREE

Lodging:

The park has two campgrounds that offer tent camping and RV/Trailer camping, with some sites even offering a full hookup option. Reservations for camping can be made here- Rock Island Camping.

The park does not have a lodge but does offer cabin rentals. Reservations for cabins can be made here- Rock Island Cabins.

The closest hotel options are located in McMinnville, TN, about 60 minutes from the park.

For other cabin options, check out these cute little cabins right outside the park- The Happy Yaker.

Dining:

There are no food options inside the park, but there are several places to eat just outside the park in Rock Island, TN.

Personal recommendations: Rock Island Trolley Stop (only outside seating, perfect for kids- with lots of outdoor games, also a great place to stop for ice cream) and Foglight Foodhouse.

The park does have four picnic areas with tables, grills, and restrooms available in each area if you choose to bring in your own food.

Must Know Before You Go:

The Great Falls Dam and Powerhouse are prone to irregular water releases. This will cause trail closures downstream, with water levels quickly rising during a discharge. Please check the TVA’s discharge schedule prior to visiting. If you hear sirens while hiking, be prepared to move to higher ground immediately. For more safety information and closures, check out the park’s and TVA’s Great Falls websites here- Rock Island State Park Safety and TVA Great Falls.
Parking is limited. Arrive early to secure a parking spot.
Many of the trails are muddy and slick. Proper footwear is recommended.
Swimming is permitted in some areas of the gorge, when water levels are low. Swimming is at your own risk, and again, please review the park’s water safety page before swimming.

Cell Service:

There is no cell service throughout most of the park.

1 Day Itinerary

Upstream Trail-

The Upstream Trail starts from the Twin Falls Overlook parking lot located at the end of Powerhouse Road. This trail is easy to navigate and follow, stretching for 1-mile roundtrip and with an elevation gain of around 200 ft. Before returning to Twin Falls, it offers beautiful views of Great Falls, Warm Hole, and Cold Hole.

Downstream Trail-

Once you have explored the Upstream Trail, make your way to the stunning Twin Falls and continue along the trail that leads downstream. This trail runs alongside the Caney Fork River and offers scenic views of another beautiful waterfall and the Blue Hole before winding through the charming forest near the end of the path. On your return hike, take the wooden stairs on the right side of Little Falls. They lead up to a cool little cave hidden behind the lovely waterfall. This trail covers a distance of 1.5 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of just over 200 feet.

Collins River Nature Trail-

After hiking the Upstream and Downstream Trails, you’ll need to jump in your car and head back down Powerhouse Rd and over the bridge to Great Falls Road. The parking lot for the Collins River Nature Trail will be just before the TVA Hydro Plant, off of Great Falls Road. If you’re short on time, this is the trail I would skip. It’s a lovely trail, but not quite as impressive as the other three. This trail is 3 miles roundtrip with over 100 feet of elevation gain. You will get a little of everything on this trail- forest views, river views, and, in the right season, plenty of wildlife and wildflowers😊

If you want to shorten the trail by one mile, use the Cunningham Connector Trail to return to the parking lot. If you want a little history on your hike, the connector trail will also take you past a frontier settlement and three cemeteries.

Old Mill Gorge Trail/Historic Cotton Mill/Spring House-

For the last trail of the day, you’ll need to backtrack just a short way to the Old Mill parking area on Great Falls Road. You can see the Historic Cotton Mill from the east end of the parking lot. Right across the street from the Cotton Mill is the Spring House.

After checking out the Historic Cotton Mill and Spring House, head to the west end of the parking lot to begin the Old Mill Gorge Trail. The Old Mill Gorge Trail is 0.3 miles roundtrip with less than 100 ft of elevation gain. It is steep, rocky, and very slick as you descend into the gorge, but you will be rewarded with stunning up-close views of the gorge’s MANY falls. Again, if you hear sirens, please head back up the trail quickly but safely in anticipation of rapidly rising water levels.

And that’s a wrap on Rock Island State Park!

I hope you have an incredible adventure!

Looking for another Tennessee adventure? Check out our Savage Gulf State Park Itinerary!