Caney Fork Gorge Trail

Rock Island State Park

A beautiful limestone gorge runs between the Great Falls Dam and the Twin Falls. This is a popular area for rock hopping, swimming and fishing. The area is populated with Great Blue Herons, wildflowers and waterfalls.

Directions:

From Nashville: Take I-40 E to Exit 239, Lebanon/Watertown, and take a right on Hwy. 70 toward Watertown. Proceed for 33 miles until you reach the town of Smithville. Turn right on Hwy. 56 and proceed for 10 miles and take a left on Hwy 287. Drive 10 miles on Hwy. 287 and the park entrance will be on the left.

From South Nashville or Chattanooga: Take I-24 South from Nashville or I-24 North from Chattanooga and exit at Hwy. 55 in Manchester, the McMinnville/Tullahoma exit. Proceed North on Hwy. 55 toward McMinnville. In McMinnville, Hwy. 55 will turn into the 70S bypass. Continue on the bypass through McMinnville and go 12 miles North of McMinnville and take a left on Hwy. 136. Go about 1 mile and take a left on Hwy. 287 to the entrance which will be on the right.

From Knoxville: Take I-40 West to Cookeville and exit at Hwy. 111 in Cookeville. Proceed West on Hwy. 111 through Sparta. Just outside of Sparta take Hwy. 70S. Go approximately 12 miles on 70S and turn right on Hwy. 136. Go about 1 mile and take a left on Hwy. 287 in Rock Island and proceed for about three miles to the park entrance which will be on the right.