This weekend we went backpacking at Virgin Falls State Natural Area located between Sparta, TN and Crossville, TN. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful locations in Tennessee and an excellent place to go camping. The hike in is a fairly easy 4 miles. There is plenty of water along the way and at the campsites. The scenery is absolutely spectacular. There are clean swimming holes around the falls and on the Caney Fork river as well as good fishing spots on the river. There really is nothing to complain about with this location.
We started from the First United Methodist Church in Tullahoma at about 8:30 AM and arrived at the parking area at the trail head at around 10:30 AM and started the hike. The parking area is well marked and there are several sign boards at the head of the trail. Strangely, there is not a camping registration.
The first 1/2 mile or so of the trail is fairly flat with a slight downhill slope. We soon encountered a river crossing with a cable handhold and then passed a small falls on the left. The trail continued to follow the river and after about a mile began a fairly aggressive descent and the trail became much rockier. About two miles down the trail we encountered Big Laurel Falls. This is a very impressive falls with an enormous cave/shelter area under and behind the falls. The Scouts explored the area behind the falls for a while and we ate our lunches. Some Scouts refilled their water supplies by filtering from the river. Soon after we arrived, a large Scout troop from Murfreesboro, TN arrived. We decided we better get on the trail and to the campsites before them so we didn't hang around too long.
After lunch we got back on the trail and continued a fairly steep rocky decent towards Virgin Falls. About 1.5 miles further down the trail we encountered a Y intersection where the Virgin Falls loop begins. We decided to go right (counterclockwise) so that we could take a look at Sheep Cave that was indicated on the trail map. About 1/4 mile down the trail we approached the cave. It is an enormous sinkhole that has a small waterfall dropping into it. There's a trail that takes you down to the boulder field at the bottom of the trail. Since we still wanted to get to camp before the large troop behind us and because we didn't have the equipment to safely explore the cave, we decided to continue on and plan to explore it on our next visit.
Another 1/4 mile down the trail we reached the first campsite at Virgin Falls at around 3:00 PM. There are four camping areas with established fire rings near the falls. The first was high on the hill across from the falls and had a fairly poor view of the falls. So, we decided to continue on closer to the falls and we were glad we did. We found two campsites close to each other that were about half way up the falls and a stones throw away from the falls. The view was absolutely spectacular and the sound of the falls drown out all other sounds. A giggle-free, snore-free restful night was almost guaranteed!!! Also, there was a cool moist constant breeze that originated from the falls and was like having an air conditioned campsite. It wasn't a particularly hot day (about 75 deg F) but it was still refreshing. This would be an ideal location in July or August.
We setup camp, gathered firewood and the boys explored the falls and surrounding areas. At the top of the falls is a wide shallow river area where some other campers were wading. The river originates from a cave at the top of the hill and some boys went back in it a little ways to explore. At the bottom of the falls, the water disappears into another cave. Some of the boys hiked down to this area and came back up soaked from the spray that the waterfall creates.
We started cooking supper around 4:30 PM. Most cooked on the fire. Some cooked on lightweight stoves. Mr. Smith had prepared Cornish hens ahead of time and froze them to be warmed on the fire before eating. It took longer than expected to defrost and cook them (over an hour) but it was definitely worth the wait. Yummm!
After supper we played Leave No Trace trivia around the campfire. This was an entertaining way to also complete some of their Camping merit badge requirements. I don't think anyone stayed up past 9:30 PM. The sound of the waterfall was too relaxing to resist.
We woke at first light after a very restful night without rain, cooked breakfast, packed up, and then started down the trail by 8:00 AM. The day was a perfect sunny Sunday morning. The trail was mostly uphill on the 4 miles out but it wasn't so bad that it slowed us down too much.
At about 11:00 AM we made it back to the vehicles and loaded up. The boys were all very hungry after the hike out and so we decided to stop at a Hardees in Sparta for burgers.
This is probably one of if not the best locations in Tennessee that we've visited. We will definitely visit it again and recommend it to everyone.
A trail map can be viewed here.
The trip map can be viewed here.
Dates: May 3-4, 2008
Total Miles: 8
Temperature (high/low): 77/45 deg F