Piney Creek Falls is a 95-foot tiered waterfall on Piney Creek in Fall Creek Falls State Park, Van Buren County, Tennessee. It pours into a sheer sandstone gorge on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau, and although it is the most remote of the park's waterfalls, its overlook is only a short walk from the parking area.
The falls
Piney Creek comes off the plateau rim about a mile above its meeting with Cane Creek. There are cascades at the top and bottom with one large plunge in the middle; the crest is about 10 feet wide. The gorge walls below are high and steep, and the view from the rim overlook is partly obstructed.
Getting there
A short trail leads from a small parking lot to an overlook above the falls. The state parks trail map gives 0.12 mile from the parking area to the overlook and 0.25 mile to a suspension bridge over the creek; the overlook walk is easy and the bridge route moderate, 0.6 mile round trip with 147 feet of gain. A longer trail connects Piney Creek Falls with Fall Creek Falls, about 1.85 miles by the state map. Parking at the trailhead is limited.
When to go
Flow is strongest in spring after rain, and autumn brings foliage to the gorge; dry spells thin the falls.
On site
There is no trail to the base. Reaching it means rappelling or a hike of about 5 miles one way up Cane Creek Gorge and Piney Creek Gorge, and people sometimes have to be rescued from that route. The gorge below the rim is sheer, and a slip there could be fatal; keep children close at the overlooks. Swimming isn't practical, and dogs are allowed on a leash.
History and name
The state park's trail map labels the destination Piney Falls. It shouldn't be confused with Piney Falls State Natural Area near Grandview, a separate site.
Nearby
Fall Creek Falls and Coon Creek Falls are each about 1.7 miles away, with Cane Creek Falls and Rockhouse Falls about 2 to 2.1 miles away in the same park. The town of Spencer is about 6.9 miles to the northwest.
Distances are straight-line.