I hiked to Stinging Fork Falls in early June, 2013. The round trip trail to the falls is about two miles. There is also a spur trail to Indian Point that will add about ½ mile to the round trip distance. The falls are located in a 783 acre natural area on Walden Ridge northwest of Spring City, Tennessee. The large gravel parking area is about five miles up Shut In Gap Road from TN 68. The falls consist of a plunge about 30 to 35 feet into a pool. Above the falls is a long series of cascades as the creek follows the sloping cap rock toward the falls.
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| Parking area on Shut In Gap Road |
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| The trail starts along the edge of a managed tree farm |
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| Nothing posted at the trail kiosk |
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| The trail finally enters the woods |
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| Upon entering the woods, the trail narrows to a foot path |
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| Mountain Laurel blooming along the trail |
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| The double blaze signifies a trail junction |
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| Indian Point |
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| The view from Indian Point into the gulf is obscured by the foilage |
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| Back on the main trail, now a foot path |
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| Stairs assist with the descent into the gorge |
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| More stairs to descend...and then ascend on the return |
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| More Mountain Laurel blooms |
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| There is a trail in here somewhere |
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| Looking up slope toward a series of switchbacks |
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| The open forest floor has been replaced with lots of ferns |
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| Climbing over fallen trees is part of the adventure |
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| More fallen trees and an obstructed view of the falls |
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| Part of the cascade above the falls |
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| The trail follows these rapids upstream to the falls |
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| More rapids and a rock shelter below the falls |
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| Fungi high rise |
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| Looking downstream below the plunge pool |
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| Stinging Fork Falls |
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| Closeup of the falls |
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| White blaze on the tree shows the trail |
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| The trail skirts this rock house |
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| Large boulder on the edge of the stream |
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| Looks are deceiving as the trail turns right and heads up hill instead of continuing downstream |
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| Without the blazes, the trail blends into the boulder field |
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| Some treads are missing on the stairs |
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| An obstructed view of the cascade and falls |
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| Another obstructed view of the cascade and falls |
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| The rocky path leads to yet another set of stairs |
There are some slick rocks to traverse on the lower part of this trail, so proper shoes or boots are imperative. Also, walking or hiking sticks come in very handy in several of the switchbacks down to the falls.
The park website is http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/stinging/.