Cummins Falls facts for kids
Cummins Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Jackson County, Tennessee. It flows on the Blackburn Fork River. This amazing waterfall is one of the biggest in Tennessee. In fact, it's the eighth largest by the amount of water that flows over it!
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What Makes Cummins Falls Unique?
Cummins Falls is quite tall, reaching about seventy-five feet high. It has two main drops. The first drop is a straight plunge of fifty feet. The water falls into a shallow pool below. After that, the water flows over a second drop. This part is a twenty-five-foot cascade. It tumbles into a larger, deeper pool. This deep pool is often called a "swimming hole."
A Top Swimming Spot
In 2010, a famous travel magazine called Travel + Leisure named Cummins Falls as one of the best swimming holes in America. It was ranked as the "Tenth Best Swimming Hole in America." This shows how special and popular the waterfall is for swimming and enjoying nature.
History of Cummins Falls
The land around Cummins Falls was owned by the Cummins family for a very long time. They owned it continuously since 1825. In 2011, a group called the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation bought the land. They wanted to protect this natural wonder. After they bought it, the area was made into a public park. This means everyone can now visit and enjoy it.
Visiting Cummins Falls State Park
Today, Cummins Falls State Park is managed by Tennessee State Parks. This is a part of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The park is free to enter. You can see the waterfall from a special viewing spot called an overlook.
Accessing the Waterfall Base
If you want to go down to the base of the waterfall, you need a special permit. This is called a Gorge Access Permit. These permits help keep visitors safe. They also protect the natural beauty of the area. It's important to follow the park rules when you visit. This helps everyone have a great time and keeps the park beautiful for future visitors.
