top of page

Excursions

Outdoor Focused Excursions

BurgessFallsOverlook.jpg

Burgess Falls State Park

Overlook & Trail Views

Location

4000 Burgess Falls Drive

Sparta, TN

Distance from Camp

8 miles

Notes

  • Located on the Falling Water River and known as the Queen with four waterfalls that cascade down from over 250 feet in elevation. The park is open from 8 AM – 4 PM. Closed when the river is high or when there is snow on the roads. Dogs welcome. 

burgessfallskayak_edited_edited.jpg

Burgess Falls Kayaking

Boat Launch and Guided Tours

Location

Cane Hollow Rd

Sparta, TN

Distance from Camp

12 miles

Notes

  • Cane Hollow Rd ends at a gravel boat launch on Center Hill Lake. From the launch, stay right on the waterway until you reach the falls. We also highly recommend booking with local guide service Kayaking Adventures of TN 

cumminsfallsweb.jpg

Cummins Falls

Overlook and Permit Required River Hike

Location

390 Cummins Falls

Cookeville, TN

Distance from Camp

14 Miles

Notes

  • Rugged, 282-acre day-use park located nine miles north of Cookeville on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River on the Eastern Highland Rim. Visitors must apply for a permit to access the river gorge and swimming areas. While you're in the area, stop in at the Old Mill Camp general store for deli, ice cream, t-shirts and more.

1010_edited.jpg

Fancher Falls

Kayak/Boat access only

Location

13800 Cookeville Boat Dock Rd

Baxter, TN

Distance from Camp

9 Miles

Notes

  • Also known as Taylor Creek Falls / 80′ high. From Cookeville Boat Dock, go left. The boat slips will be on your left. You will pass all of these. Turn into the first cove on the right – this will look like a really large fork. Keep paddling as you wind back into the cove, paddle to the narrow end to find this very hidden gem of a waterfall and swim hole.

IMG_8554.JPG

Cane Creek Park

Fishing, Paddle Boats, Ducks, and More

Location

201 CC Camp Road

Cookeville, TN

Distance from Camp

10 Miles

Notes

  • 56-acre lake, two fishing piers, paved trails, mountain bike trail, 18-hole disc golf course, pollinator fields, five playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, three picnic shelters and numerous picnic tables with charcoal grills.

IMG_2264.JPG

Center Hill Lake

Marinas, Boat Landings, and Restaurants

Location

Center Hill Lake

Distance from Camp

10 Miles

Notes

caneyriver.JPG

Caney Fork River Shuttle

Kayak or Float

Location

​1075 Wolf Creek Road

Silver Point, TN

Distance from Camp

18 Miles

Notes

  • Kayak or float down the Caney Fork River with your own gear and schedule a shuttle service, or reserve the whole package from one of the local outfitters such as Caney Fork Outdoors.

MeadowCreekPark_edited.jpg

The Outpost at Meadow Creek Park

Meadow Creek Park

Location

19195 Clark Range Hwy

Monterey, TN

Distance from Camp

28 Miles

Notes

  • The Outpost, operated by Outdoor Experience in Cookeville, offers bike rentals, kayak rentals, guided fly fishing, and guided rock climbing. A 300 acre park and trail system with a 90 acre lake.

IMG_E7136.JPG

Rock Island State Park

Twin Falls & Great Falls

Location

​82 Beach Road

Rock Island, TN

Distance from Camp

30 Miles

Notes

  • 883-acre park located on the headwaters of Center Hill Lake at the confluence of the Caney Fork, Collins and Rocky Rivers.

virginfalls.jpg

Virgin Falls State Natural Area

Strenuous Hike

Location

​2080 Scotts Gulf Road

Sparta, TN

Distance from Camp

32 Miles

Notes

  • Parking and hiking trails are provided. Dogs on leash allowed. The hike into Virgin Falls, which will total around 9 miles going in and out, should be considered a strenuous hike. The trail descends around 900 foot in elevation along a path that in many areas is rocky with uneven footing. Please allow 5 to 9 hours for the hike. And it is recommended to start the hike early in the day.

fallcreekfalls.jpg

Fall Creek Falls

16,181-acre natural area

Location

2009 Village Camp Rd Spencer, TN

Distance from Camp

47 Miles

Notes

  • Over 30 miles of hiking trails, a nature center, and picnic areas. Dogs welcome and fishing available.

blackmountain.jpg

Black Mountain Crest Loop Trail

Stunning views of the Cumberland Plateau

Location

Crab Orchard, TN

Distance from Camp

52 Miles

Notes

  • one-mile trail in a gorgeous forest setting that is accessible year-round. It shares a portion of the Cumberland Trail and passes through some pretty awesome rock formations. Watch your step! Along the trail, you will find several scenic overlooks with some stellar views! If you’ve been hoping to catch a mountain view of a sunrise or sunset, this is a great place to catch one. Dogs welcome.

IMG_1406.JPG

Greeter Falls & Blue Hole

1 mile hike round trip

Location

556 Greeter Falls Rd

Altamont, TN

Distance from Camp

70 Miles

Notes

  • Greeter Falls is the main waterfall in the Savage Gulf area of southeastern Tennessee.

skydiving.jpg

Skydiving

Skydive Tennessee

Location

807 Williams Northern Blvd

Tullahoma, TN

Distance from Camp

79 Miles

Notes

  • Veteran owned and operated with most of the staff being current and former military skydivers and freefall instructors.

Indoor Focused Excursions

midtownsocial.PNG

Saturday & Sunday Breakfast/Brunch

Locally Owned Breakfast, Brunch and more

Location

Cookeville, TN

Distance from Camp

7+ Miles

Notes

  • Midtown Social, 565 S. Jefferson St, opens at 11am. Great brunch and mimosas!

  • Megs Bread, 52 S. Cedar Ave, opens at 9am. Natural-leavened bread and pastries.

  • Greenlife Smoothie, 541 S. Willow Ave, opens at 11am (10am weekdays). Delicious smoothies, falafel, hummus, salad and more.

  • Grandma's Pancake House, 405 S. Willow Ave, open 6am-2pm seven days a week.

calfkiller.jpg

Sips and Tastings

Speakeasies, Craft Breweries, Local Wineries

Location

Middle TN

Distance from Camp

3+ Miles

Notes

Baxter-Downtown2023.jpeg

American Farmhouse

Shopping Small

Location

119 Broad St

Baxter, TN

Distance from Camp

3+ Miles

Notes

  • American Farmhouse, known for affordable new and vintage treasures, boho fashion, nature themes, and more.

baxtertraindepot.jpg

Train Depot Museums

Local Train History

Location

Baxter and Cookeville

Distance from Camp

3+ Miles

Notes

lighthouse-pic-2017-400x400.webp

Center Hill Lake Restaurants

Marinas, Boat Landings, and Restaurants

Location

Center Hill Lake

Distance from Camp

10+ Miles

Notes

Appalachian-Center-for-Craft-Etrance.jpg

Appalachian Center for Craft

Fine Art Craft School Gallery & Shop

Location

1560 Craft Center Drive

Smithville, TN

Distance from Camp

16 Miles

Notes

  • The Appalachian Center for Craft is a campus of the nationally accredited School of Art, Craft & Design. The Artist in Residence Program (AIR) allows emerging professional artists to live and work in its immersive studio environment. The Gallery features artwork created by more than 150 regional and national artists and is open to the public.

ThrivePark.jpg

Thrive Family Fun Center

Indoor Trampoline Park, Arcade and Climbing Walls

Location

Distance from Camp

9 Miles

Notes

  • Open 7 days a week (check website for hours) and offers both hour-long and day passes.

Other Excursions

ckvlwestside_edited.jpg

Cookeville Historic West Side

Restaurants, Shopping, and Galleries

Location

Middle TN

Distance from Camp

7 Miles

Notes

  • The Historic WestSide boasts a unique collection of shops, mom 'n' pop restaurants, antiques, and art studios. Guests can refer to our personalized email "Things to do" attachment, for more specific dinning recommendations.

the-sparta-drive-in.jpg

Drive In Movies

Fridays and Saturdays

Location

220 Roberts-Matthews Highway

Sparta, TN

Distance from Camp

16 Miles

Notes

  • Open Friday and Saturday. Gates open at 6pm, show starts at dusk. Cash and CC accepted. Click learn more for pricing and movie listings.

ArtProwl.jpg

Art Round Tennessee

Year-Round Art Focused Activities

Location

Cookeville, TN

Distance from Camp

7 Miles

Notes

  • Art Round Tennessee (ART), was formed to steer ART Prowl and to develop public art. ART Prowl flourishes as an annual art studio and pop-up gallery tour. Each November, it takes over Cookeville's WestSide and downtown, representing approximately 50 local artists and offering powerful and lasting personal experiences for all visitors. Also, look for their First Friday events. Highly recommend!

CkvlTheatre.jpg

Cookeville Theatre Company

Year-round Live Productions and Events

Location

Cookeville, TN

Distance from Camp

7 Miles

Notes

  • Click Learn More to check the Cookeville Theatre Company's website and/or for current productions and events.

bottom of page