Sparta is a great area to go waterfalling. There are so many waterfalls in the area. I took my kids to Sparta during Spring Break to check out some of the waterfalls. There were so many to see that we didn’t have time to see them all.
We were able to see all of the waterfalls listed below in one day however. Hopefully we’ll be able to schedule a visit to the area before too long and check out even more.
This trip is comprised of all easy trails that are family friendly.
Twin Falls
Located inside Rock Island State Park, is Twin Falls, an 80 foot waterfall best known for its unique formation, where water seeps out of the gorge wall rather than flowing over it like most waterfalls. Twin Falls is visible from the overlook parking area.
From the parking lot, you can walk down the stairs to get a closer look at Twin Falls. The Downstream and Upstream Trails are located here. If you go to the right you can see Twin Falls from a more front facing angle rather than the slightly side view from the overlook and the bottom of the stairs.
Great Falls
Great Falls is a 30 foot horseshoe cascading waterfall, which is located below the 19th century cotton textile mill that it powered over 100 years ago. Great Falls is visible from an overlook located at the end of a parking lot. It is a series of waterfalls that are fanned out, which resemble many smaller waterfalls are rolled into one really wide one. The view from the overlook is fantastic.
Lost Creek Falls
Lost Creek Falls is a 40 foot waterfall that flows directly into a sinkhole located inside Lost Creek State Natural Area. Lost Creek begins from large spring, drops over the falls, and then disappears underground. In 1993 Disney filmed scenes for their live action version of “The Jungle Book” here, using both the waterfall and cave entrance.
Lost Creek Falls is only a 0.2 mile out and back hike from the parking area. The waterfall can be reached by walking down stairs that lead to a short path to the base of the waterfall. The trail has blue blazes to follow that lead to the waterfall.
Cane Creek Cascades
Cane Creek Cascades is my favorite waterfall at Fall Creek Falls State Park. It is easy to get to and you can view the cascade from many different angles including the top and the base.
To view this waterfall, park at the Betty Dunn Nature Center and look for the wooden steps behind the building. Take the steps all the way to the bottom and you’ll be at an overlook for Cane Creek Cascades. The stairway is open at the side so you can climb out and venture closer to the waterfall and even climb down to the base.
Rockhouse Falls/Cane Creek Falls
Rockhouse Falls is an impressive 125 feet waterfall. It is right next to Cane Creek Falls, an 85 foot waterfall. This overlook gives you two waterfalls at the same location. This is always a win in my books!
Rockhouse Falls and Cane Creek Falls are both accessible from the Betty Dunn Nature Center, as well as Cane Creek Cascades (listed above).
There are three different ways you can use to view these waterfalls. The first is a roadside overlook, which doesn’t give the greatest view, but everyone can see it this way. Rockhouse Falls is the smaller (width-wise) waterfall on your right. The second is from the Cable Trail, which will take you to the base. The roundtrip for this strenuous trail is 0.3 miles. The third is the Gorge Trail, which you can access from the Woodland Trail after crossing a swinging bridge. All three trails have views of Rockhouse Falls and Cane Creek Falls.
Fall Creek Falls
There is an overlook for Fall Creek Falls that is right off of the parking area, which gives you an excellent view of the waterfall.
Fall Creek Falls is normally an impressive waterfall, however during low flow it’s almost a trickle. However in Fall Creek Falls State Park, there are three other waterfalls so I would definitely check it out.
You can go to the base of the waterfall by following the orange blazes of the Base of Fall Creek Falls Trail, which heads off from the overlook and continues for a half mile downhill that will take you to the base of the falls at the bottom of the gorge. Please note that this trail to the base is listed as Very Strenuous.
Piney Creek Falls
Piney Creek Falls is a pretty waterfall that is easily viewable from a 0.2 mile trail that takes you to an overlook located just a few minutes away from the parking area. Piney Creek Falls is an unusually shaped waterfall that is quite interesting. There is some obstruction of the waterfall from trees surrounding it, but it is still very scenic and peaceful.
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