Tennessee has an incredible collection of state parks—59 in total—and I’ve been on a mission to visit each one. The farthest-flung park I’ve made it to so far is Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, located in Middle Tennessee in a town called Manchester. It's about a four-hour drive from our northwest corner of the state.
While mapping out the route, I noticed that according to Google Maps, there’s a nearby place called Bugscuffle. Only in Tennessee! The quirky town names are half the fun of exploring this state. But I digress.
Old Stone Fort is part of the waterfall trail network that runs through Middle Tennessee. It often gets overlooked in favor of more famous spots like Fall Creek Falls and Burgess Falls, but don’t let that fool you—Old Stone Fort boasts three waterfalls of its own.
During our visit, I only had time to see two of them, plus a dam. I had Patrick with me, as well as Rufus, our dog who—let’s just say—missed the leash training memo. Trying to scout good photo angles while managing a wiggly dog and keeping an eye on an energetic eight-year-old made for a memorable (and slightly chaotic) adventure on the slippery rocks.
We spent one night at the park, tent camping. The weather wasn’t ideal—incredibly humid for May—and setting up camp in muggy conditions is always a bit of a challenge. We arrived in the late afternoon, set up our tent, and took a quick walk. Just off the campground is a short trail that leads to the dam—a pleasant stroll. From there, it’s a short hike to Blue Hole Falls, our first waterfall of the trip.
The next morning, after a quick breakfast, we set out early and found a charming old wood and steel bridge, now open only to foot traffic. It wasn’t marked on the park map, and it felt like discovering a secret spot. That little detour was one of my favorite parts of the trip.
As the day heated up, the humidity became too much, so we retreated to the car for some air-conditioned exploring. We drove to another part of the park and hiked around the earthen fort. This trail gives you views of Step Falls and Big Falls, with the option to take either a high or low route. We took the high trail most of the way, which offers elevated views of the waterfalls below.
I paused along the way to photograph the falls and will say this: be very cautious. Some areas along the trail have steep drop-offs, and the rocks near the water are extremely slick. It’s easy to get caught up in chasing the perfect frame, but it’s not worth a twisted ankle—or worse.
We’d originally planned to stay a second night, but as storm clouds rolled in, I made the executive decision to call it. The idea of being stuck in a two-person tent with a wet dog and a stir-crazy child didn’t sound appealing. When I told Patrick we were heading home, he was actually relieved. Both boy and dog passed out in the car and slept most of the way back—and then some once we got home.
I stayed up a little longer to shower and offload my photos. Editing, though? That could wait until the morning.
Waterfall Photography Tips & Tricks
If you're planning to photograph waterfalls—especially in Tennessee's lush and often slippery state parks—here are a few tips that might help:
Bring a Tripod: Waterfall shots often benefit from long exposures to capture that silky smooth water effect. A tripod is essential for steady shots.
Use a Polarizing Filter: This helps reduce glare from the water and can bring out rich colors in the foliage and rocks.
Shoot on Overcast Days: Cloudy skies help avoid harsh shadows and blown-out highlights. If it’s sunny, try early morning or late afternoon for softer light.
Be Careful Where You Step: Wet rocks and mossy surfaces are incredibly slick. Wear shoes with good grip and never sacrifice safety for a better angle.
Use Live View or Phone Apps: If your camera or phone has a live view or remote app, it can help you frame tricky shots without having to lean over ledges.
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