Up The Mountain: Foster Falls and Denny Cove in One Day

Set your sights a little east and head Up The Mountain. If you've already hit the highlights closer to home, the waterfalls and sandstone cliffs on the South Cumberland Plateau are worth the drive. Here's some friendly advice from The Getaway on Ranger Creek, a glamping property up the mountain in Coalmont. Foster Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls up here, and for good reason. A 60-foot drop over a sandstone ledge into a clear plunge pool, a short walk from the parking lot, a suspension bridge over Little Gizzard Creek, and an easy swim-out to the base of the falls. It shows up on every Tennessee waterfall list and deserves every mention. If you want the full trail breakdown and what to know before you go, we've got our full guide to Foster Falls over on our own site.

Two miles south on the same highway, Denny Cove is one of the most interesting tracts in Tennessee's state park system. Most people driving to Foster Falls don't know it's there.

Denny Cove, the quiet half of the day

Denny Cove is 685 acres of plateau-top forest and deep sandstone cove, added to South Cumberland State Park in 2017. For most visitors, the draw is rock climbing. More than 100 established sport climbing routes sit along nearly three miles of cliff line, and the sandstone here is some of the best in the Southeast. Most routes fall in the 5.11 to 5.12 range. Peak climbing conditions are cooler months, since much of the cliff line stands above the tree canopy and gets full sun.

Climbing is not the only reason to go. From the gravel parking lot, the main trail drops through plateau-top forest for about half a mile to the rim of the cove. A short spur to the right leads to a double overlook with views into the gorge and the Fiery Gizzard system below. The left overlook has the better summer view.

Keep going past the overlook and the Waterfall Trail drops into the cove and runs about a mile to Denny Falls, a 70-foot double-drop waterfall at the end of the trail. The last stretch gets rocky and involves real scrambling. Trekking poles help. This isn't the trail for young kids or anyone uncomfortable on uneven rock.

A few practical notes: Denny Cove is day use only, the gate closes 30 minutes after sunset, and there are no restrooms at the parking lot. Climbers need a free daily permit through Tennessee State Parks climbing registration. The gravel access road is about three-quarters of a mile and fine for any passenger car.

Foster Falls, the other half

Less than two miles north, Foster Falls sits right off US-41. A short boardwalk leads to the overlook, and a rocky trail with stone stairs drops down to the base of the falls, crossing a wire suspension bridge. Strong swimmers can swim out to the base of the falls, and after a decent rain there's a second cascade to the right that you can spot from the water.

Like Denny Cove, Foster Falls is also a major sport climbing destination, with more than 150 routes along its own cliff line. The Climbers Loop trail traces the base of the bluffs for about a mile and offers a rougher alternative to hiking back the same way you came.

One honest note: all the waterfalls on the plateau, including Foster Falls, can slow significantly or stop entirely during dry stretches. Water flow is best in spring and after heavy rain. Even on a drier day the bluff scenery and the climbing are worth the drive, but if you're coming specifically for the falls, check recent rainfall first.

Doing both in one day

The two trailheads are less than ten minutes apart by car. Most people who do them together start at Denny Cove in the morning while it's still cool, especially if you plan to walk down to Denny Falls, then drive up to Foster Falls for the afternoon. Pack lunch. There's a picnic area at Foster Falls but nothing at Denny Cove.

Total time for both, hiking only and not climbing, runs four to six hours depending on how long you linger at each waterfall.

Foster Falls, Denny Cove, and the Fiery Gizzard Trail are all part of the same park system. If you've done the loop at these two and want more plateau hiking, Savage Gulf is another tract of the same park worth a full day of its own.

Where to stay

Both trailheads are approximately 30 minutes from The Getaway on Ranger Creek, our glamping property on 18 wooded acres on top of the plateau in Coalmont, Tennessee. We have a geodesic dome with pond views, a Scandinavian cabin, and a glamping tent with a deck. Two more cabins are opening soon. Use code FOSTER10 for 10 percent off your direct booking. Must be booked through our website for the code to apply.