Waterfalls and The Jungle Book
On our way back to East Tennessee from the family farm we discovered luck and the Lord were on our side. The skies were clear and the temperature was mild making it just the right time for a short hike with the kids…….especially since J was quite upset the rain kept us away on Wednesday!
Just off Interstate 40 between Knoxville, Tennessee and Crossville, Tennessee lies the Ozone Falls State Natural Area. The area isn’t well publicized from what I’ve found but it’s worth the visit as it is just 4 miles miles off the interstate on US 70.
The 110-foot waterfall plunges over the cliffs of the Crab Orchard mountains on the Cumberland Plateau and has been the spotlight of more eyes than most realize! Take a look back to the 2016 remake of Disney’s “The Jungle Book” and you will see this waterfall and much of the surrounding area!
Parking is extremely limited at the falls so plan on “making” a space across the highway near the train trestle. The hike in to the top of the falls is just a few hundred feet from the road and provides spectacular views of the area. However, if you want to get the full experience, the hike to the bottom is a must. The trail is not long but it is extremely rocky and steep! Many of the rocks can be loose and expect them to be slippery as you near the falls.
On the way down you will find many cliff overhangs that provide great opportunities for photos. In addition to this there are many areas to photograph the falls from a variety of different angles. As you reach the bottom you find a large pool at the base of the falls and many LARGE rocks surrounding the area. You can walk underneath the falls from the base but be prepared to get somewhat wet with the mist!
As great at the falls are we had to venture further down Fall Creek exploring the area and I’m glad we did. Fall is a wonderful time in East Tennessee and the views of nature never disappoint. As we hiked on we found smaller falls on the creek and several areas where people had made rock chairs and areas to relax and take in the beauty.
If you’re traveling through East Tennessee and have an extra hour or so I would highly recommend you look up this area and stop by for a visit. Let me know what you think and leave a comment if you’ve already been. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog and follow us on social media to follow the adventures!