Rock Island State Park

Rock Island State Park

Tennessee abounds in glorious beauty. Water Falls, Hiking Trails, Nature's glory in natural floral displays in each season, from the first of the Spring Flowers to the Grand Fall's Golden leaves.

The Rock Island State Park

is located on the Caney Fork River and is adjacent to the town of Rock Island, which is about 15 miles southwest of Sparta and surrounds the TVA Great Falls Dam and hydroelectric generating plant.

The Great Falls Lake is on the Caney Fork River and fed by the confluence of three other rivers within a few miles of the dam, the Calkiller River, the Rocky River, and the Collins River.

The scenic beauty of the 883-acre wooded Rock Island State Park is dominated by the 80' Twin Falls, which can be viewed from an overlook across an imposing limestone gorge (called a gulf in southern culture).  On down the cascades from the dam is the Great Falls 20' running over a 750' slice of bedrock on the Caney Fork River and then the 10 ft. Lower Great Falls running over 500' of bedrock slabs. This whole area is a favorite spot for kayakers and enthusiasts from across the country. They compete for spots on the United States team and in 1998 and 1999 Rock Island was the location for the U.S. Freestyle Kayak Team Trials.

Hiking trails include the Eagle Trail beginning at the Blue Hole Picnic Area, 3 miles moderate, the Badger Flat Picnic Area, which is close to the natural sand beach, the Collins River Nature Trail, a moderate 3-mile hike, and the Moonshine Trail, a 1/2-mile, hike.  You may also drive to the Great Falls Overlook, the Gorge Overlook and the Twin Falls Overlook for fabulous views of the Caney Fork River as it flows into the Center Hill Reservoir.

Tours of nearby Big Bone Cave are held Thursdays on a limited basis and leave at 9 AM and last approximately 3 hours.

The Rock Island Park features cabins, campsites, picnic pavilions, boating and fishing on the popular Center Hill Lake, and you may launch your boat on the Great Falls Lake and swim in the park's natural sand beach.  Lifeguards on duty during swimming hours.   

Directions

Follow Highway 70S approximately 15 miles south of Sparta toward McMinnville; follow Park signs to State Route 1 and Hwy 136 to the entrance.  Phone:  931-686-2471

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