February 19, 2020 - Waterfall Wednesday - Piney River State Natural Area

Upper Piney Falls

In the state of Tennessee there are thirteen landmarks that are designated as National Natural Landmarks. Piney Falls State Natural area is one of those thirteen. Apparently that is kind of a big deal. According to the National Park Service website, nps.gov "Piney Falls located within Pine Falls State Natural Area, contains a rare virgin mixed mesophytic forest stand representative of the primeval eastern deciduous forest biome".

I do recall reading something similar to that when visiting last Summer with my friend Teddy. We had visited Ozone Falls first thing that morning. The next waterfall on our list was actually supposed to be Stinging Fork Falls. We turned on a road that leads to it, but we noticed a sign for Piney Falls, and decided to save time and see what this hike might reward us with. This was one of those parts of the state where you may or may not have cell phone service. We did not have it in this area, until we trekked through the creek a bit.


I wish we had paid close attention when we arrived at Piney Creek. We looked down and noticed this beautiful waterfall that dropped down about 80 feet into a nice plunge pool. My waterfall book would have really come in handy. Turns out there was a sign that was fifteen feet across the creek that we just flat out missed. Instead, we went on a little "trek" if you want to call it that. We walked back the way we came and ventured to the cliff edge of Lower Piney Falls.

Very important information can be found here!

So I was saying something about a trek. Yes, we really did hike or trek (whatever you want to call it), through the lower part of Piney Creek, with this idea that it would lead us to Upper Piney Falls. It worked out really well, thank goodness. We really did rock hop and venture through the water all the way to the spot we had from above. It took a bit of work but it was really, really fun. If you want to take a date here, I advise you make sure you know where you are going first.

As it turns out, there really was a little sign across creek that was supposed to lead us all the way down toward the base of the falls. There are some ropes strategically placed to help folks down and if you really do it the right way you will follow the path behind Upper Piney Falls while walking along the walls of an overhanging rockhouse and eventually come down to Lower Piney Falls. If you are the swimming type then take that rope down the other direction and step into the plunge pool area. It is an awesome feeling.

The hiking at Piney Falls State Natural Area is fairly easy except for the part where you have to rely on the ropes to get you up and down. Just make sure those with you are close by you when you reach this part.

Piney Falls State Natural Area can be found on Firetower Road in Spring City, TN.