northrup fall waterfalls hiking tennessee the edit

Northrup Falls Waterfall and Rock Houses in Jamestown, Tennessee

Photographer: Rosemary Fields

Colditz Cove State Natural Area

A 60′ waterfall with a roughly 2 mile hiking trail

Address: 2552 Northrup Falls Rd, Jamestown, TN

Coordinates: 36.35750, -84.86894


At a glance: Roughly 2 mile hiking trail with 60′ waterfall, bluff views and “rock houses” (shallow, open cave-like structures). Open to the public sunrise to sunset. Parking. Swimming. Pets allowed if leashed at all times.

Located in Colditz Cove State Natural Area, a 165-acre natural area, in Jamestown, Tennessee. 

Northrup Falls Trail is a roughly 2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail. Plunging 60+ feet over a protruding rock ledge into a scenic, narrow, gorge along Big Branch Creek, this waterfall was named after the family who settled here and operated a mill above the falls in the 1800s. 

These high cliffs and shallow, open cave-like structures at the falls were once used by cliff-dwelling Woodland Indians 3,000+ years ago. They primarily used these shelters during hunting season.



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