Cummins Falls State Park

About Cummins Falls State Park

Cummins Falls is located on the eastern edge of the Highlands and has been in existence for over 100 years. It is located on a steep hill, just off the main road, and houses the largest waterfall in the USA and one of only a handful of waterfalls in North America.

The park is located in the catchment area of Cordell - Hull Watershed and the forest by the river includes a variety of trees, grasses, shrubs, trees and shrubs as well as a large number of wildflowers. Woody plants such as shoots, blackberry, spruce, birch, elm, pine, maple, oak, pine, hickory, oak and pineapple and countless insects such as dragonflies and dragonflies - like insects.

Cummins Falls has a rich history dating back to a time when the Indians used the area to track down the numerous buffalo that wallowed in the shallow waters of the river.

In 1790, the land was handed over to Sergeant in lieu of a boarding house, after which the Blackburn Fork of the State Scenic River was named. In 1825, John Cummins purchased it and used it to build the first of two mills. With growing clientele, a second mill was built in 1845, and the inhabitants visited the mill and waterfall for trade and recreation.

The mill was washed away in the Great Flood of 1928 and the land was not rebuilt, but it remained with the Cummins family until it was purchased by the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation. Cars and paved highways had already begun to make the road to Cummin Falls more accessible. This section of Blackburn Fork Scenic River offers tidal fishing for perch and bluefin.

Travel & Leisure and Conde Naste magazines also list Cummings Falls as one of their top 10 favorite places in Tennessee.

There is a picnic area in the park near the parking lot, and several tables are set up around the Cummins' old house to provide shade. There are barbecue baskets, but the terrain is not even, so pack what you bring and consider it primary. Although not formally green, the old home grounds provide a great place for picnics in spring when daffodils are in bloom.