Machine Falls is an impressive 60 foot waterfall located inside the Short Springs Natural Area, located between Tullahoma and Manchester. Short Springs National Area contains several waterfalls, which can all be accessed from the same starting trail. When we visited in October, we walked the entire area. While there are signs denoting the loops they can be confusing and cross the same spots in several places, making it easy to get turned around. If you are directionally challenged like I am, you might want to bring drinking water with you.
During our visit Upper Busby Falls, Lower Busby Falls and Adams Falls were completely dry. Upper and Lower Busby Falls are on the same loop as Machine Falls, while Adams Falls can be accessed through a different loop trail. Unless visiting during peak water flow times (late Winter/early Spring), I would just visit Machine Falls and return the way you came. Then you can drive a short distance away and visit Rutledge Falls. If you are just visiting Machine Falls I would consider the trail easy, however if you complete the entire loop I would consider the trail moderate.
To visit Machine Falls, enter the Short Springs State Natural Area. You’ll want to park at the water tower parking lot, which is relatively small so arrive early to find a place to park. There are several signs stating that parking is not permitted in other areas and to return later if parking spaces are not available. After parking you will cross Short Springs Road. Many people have a hard time finding the trailhead from the parking lot. Look for the crosswalk on the road. Cross at the crosswalk and you’ll be at the trailhead entrance.
Stay on the white blazed trail and in about 15 minutes you’ll reach the wooden observation platform for Machine Falls, where you can look down upon Machine Falls from above. When we visited the platform was closed from storm damage.
If you stay on the trail and pass the platform you’ll descend down a rather steep set of wooden steps. You’ll see a wooden bridge crossing a creek. Don’t cross the bridge. Head toward the water’s edge to reach the base of Machine Falls. As a minimum your shoes will get wet if you want to view Machine Falls from the base. Work your way along the creek’s edge to a more natural dirt platform. From there you can climb down to the water. There are several vantage points that you can view the waterfall with only getting your shoes slightly wet. If you want a really good view or to walk up to the base, keep venturing forward until you reach the base.
The day we went it was very slippery so I only went about halfway to the base of the waterfall. Water shoes would be helpful, as my tennis shoes slipped quite a bit. We visited in October, which is low water flow for the waterfall, but it was still impressive reaching 60 feet high and almost as wide.
From here I returned to the white blazed trail and crossed the bridge. If it hasn’t rained recently or isn’t during peak water flow I would return to the parking lot as the rest of the waterfalls will be dry like they were on our trip.
On the other side of the bridge you can follow the sign to Adams Falls Loop (Orange marked trail). The path is relatively wide and easy to follow. Sadly we could see where Adams Falls should be, but it was completely dry.
Continue on the trail until you reach a sign with multiple options. Continue on to the Busby Falls Trail (Blue blazed trail). Cross over Bobo Creek using the wood bridge and make your way down to the water. Then follow the stream past multiple cascades and fallen trees and you should see Upper Busby Falls, followed by the Lower Busby Falls. Unfortunately the waterfalls were dry when we visited. From there you continue along the Busby Falls Trail until it meets up with the main trailhead, just a short walk from the parking lot. Here was where we encountered a snake on the trail. We just waited until it crossed and moved away from the trail before continuing to the parking lot.
While in the area, be sure to visit Rutledge Falls just a few minutes away. In addition to Rutledge Falls we also visited Ledford Mill Falls and Wetumpka Falls, two roadside waterfalls near Tullahoma.
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