🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: See Four Waterfalls in One Hike at Fall Creek Falls, Learn Why the Plateau Is Full of Caves and Fossils at Cloudland Canyon, Try Flint-and-Steel Frontier Skills, Find Frozen Head's Old Homesites, Watch Hiwassee's Raptors at Feeding Time and Hike to Boar Head Gap the Day After Thanksgiving

Or: Seven New Ranger-Led Outings, From a Swinging Bridge to a Black Friday Overlook

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Sunday, November 8, 2026

Evening, neighbor. This list is all rangers and naturalists, and every one of them is new to Hundred-Mile Happenings. This Friday, Nov. 13, a Fall Creek Falls ranger leads a 2.5-mile hike past four waterfalls and over the swinging bridge. Down at Cloudland Canyon in Georgia, naturalists explain why the plateau is full of caves (four dates), show off Cumberland Plateau fossils (Nov. 22 and 29) and teach flint-and-steel frontier skills (Nov. 19 and 27). On Saturday, Nov. 21, Frozen Head shows pictures of the old homeplaces inside the park, then walks the CCC trail. On Thanksgiving afternoon, Nov. 26, Hiwassee lets you watch its birds of prey get their supper, free. And the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, Scott’s Gulf hikes a newly added trail to Boar Head Gap Overlook. What it means for you: most of these are free or just a few dollars, several need a sign-up, and three are on Eastern time, an hour ahead of us, so check the clock before you leave.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Fri., Nov. 13, 10 a.m.–noon (our time): 4 Waterfalls Hike, Fall Creek Falls. $3; sign-up required.
• Sun., Nov. 15; Thu., Nov. 19; Tue., Nov. 24; Sun., Nov. 29, 10–11 a.m. (Georgia time): Holey Ground: Caves and Karst, Cloudland Canyon. Program free; $10 parking.
• Thu., Nov. 19, 10 a.m.–noon, or Fri., Nov. 27, 1–3 p.m. (Georgia time): Frontier Skills at the Canyon Rim, Cloudland Canyon. $5 plus $10 parking.
• Sat., Nov. 21, 2–3:30 p.m. (Frozen Head time, Eastern): Frozen Head Homesites, Wartburg. Free; sign-up required.
• Sun., Nov. 22 or Sun., Nov. 29, 1–2 p.m. (Georgia time): Fossils of the Cumberland Plateau, Cloudland Canyon. $10 parking.
• Thu., Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving), 4–4:30 p.m. (Hiwassee time, Eastern): Birds of Prey Feeding, Delano. Free; space limited.
• Fri., Nov. 27, 10 a.m.–noon (our time): Boar Head Gap Overlook hike, Scott’s Gulf near Sparta. Listed $10 (includes a donation); check before you go.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: Cloudland Canyon, Frozen Head and Hiwassee are on Eastern time. They’re an hour ahead of Dunlap. So a 10 a.m. program at Cloudland is 9 a.m. our time, and the 4 p.m. Thanksgiving feeding at Hiwassee is 3 p.m. our time. Fall Creek Falls and Scott’s Gulf are on Central, like us. The Tennessee park pages don’t label a time zone, so we’re counting by each park’s county. Check before you go.

💦 See Four Waterfalls and Cross the Swinging Bridge in One Morning at Fall Creek Falls

If you’ve only ever seen Fall Creek Falls from the main overlook, this one is for you. Ranger Elijah leads a 2.5-mile hike from the Nature Center to the Fall Creek Falls Overlook and back, and along the way you’ll see four waterfalls: Fall Creek Falls, Raccoon Falls, Cane Creek Falls and Rockhouse Falls. You’ll also cross the swinging bridge over the Cane Creek Cascades.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to noon. Fall Creek Falls is in Van Buren County, on Central time like us. The page has no time-zone label, so check before you go.
• Where: Meet at the Nature Center Outdoor Kiosk, Fall Creek Falls State Park (park office: 2009 Village Camp Road, Spencer, TN 38585).
• How far: About 32 miles, roughly 45 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $3. Registration is required on the park’s event page.
• Who’ll love it: Families with older kids, photographers and anyone who wants the “greatest hits” of Fall Creek Falls in one walk.
• Good to know: Right after the swinging bridge come several flights of steps and a steady climb; then the trail levels off. Bring plenty of water and wear hiking shoes.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — 4 Waterfalls Hike)

🕳️ Find Out Why Our Plateau Is “Holey Ground” at Cloudland Canyon

Ever wonder why there are so many caves, sinkholes and springs around here? A Cloudland Canyon naturalist explains it in a one-hour talk called “Holey Ground: Caves and Karst of the Cumberland Plateau.” The park says Cloudland is the only Georgia state park on the Cumberland Plateau and the only one with caves. You’ll learn why the region is riddled with holes and meet some of the creatures that live in caves.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Nov. 15; Thursday, Nov. 19; Tuesday, Nov. 24; or Sunday, Nov. 29, 10–11 a.m. Georgia is on Eastern time, so that’s 9 a.m. our time.
• Where: Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, GA. The listing doesn’t name a room; the park’s other programs meet at the Interpretive Center, so check before you go (706-657-4050).
• How far: About 57 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: No program fee is listed. A Georgia daily ParkPass is $10 per car.
• Who’ll love it: Curious kids, rock hounds, cavers and anyone who has ever had a sinkhole open up in the back pasture.
• Good to know: This is a talk, not a cave trip, so it’s an easy pick for grandparents and for chilly mornings.

👉 Read more (Georgia State Parks — Holey Ground: Caves and Karst)

🔥 Make Fire With Flint and Steel and Taste History With “Fire-Cake” at the Canyon Rim

Here’s a hands-on one. At Frontier Skills at the Canyon Rim, a Cloudland Canyon naturalist shows you how to twist cordage (rope) from natural fibers, how to start a fire with flint and steel, and how soldiers in the Revolutionary War cooked “fire-cake” over hot coals.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thursday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to noon, or Friday, Nov. 27, 1–3 p.m. That’s Eastern time, so subtract an hour for ours (9 a.m. or noon).
• Where: Meet a naturalist at the Interpretive Center, Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, GA.
• How far: About 57 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: $5 plus the $10 daily ParkPass.
• Who’ll love it: Scouts, homeschool families, history buffs and anybody who has always wanted to light a fire without a match.
• Good to know: The Nov. 27 session is the day after Thanksgiving, a good way to get the grandkids outside. Whether you need to sign up isn’t stated, so call 706-657-4050 first.

👉 Read more (Georgia State Parks — Frontier Skills at the Canyon Rim)

🏚️ See the Old Homeplaces Hidden Inside Frozen Head State Park

Before Frozen Head was a park, families lived and farmed in these hollows. At Frozen Head Homesites, Ranger Blayne shows a slideshow of the homesites inside the park and talks about the area’s history. Then the group walks the interpretive loop, talking about the Civilian Conservation Corps camp that was stationed there.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2–3:30 p.m. Frozen Head is in Morgan County, on Eastern time, so that’s 1 p.m. our time. The page has no time-zone label, so check before you go.
• Where: The Emory Room in the visitor center, Frozen Head State Park, 964 Flat Fork Road, Wartburg, TN 37887.
• How far: About 96 miles, roughly 2 hours 15 minutes. This is the long drive on the list; check your map app.
• Cost: Free. Registration is required.
• Who’ll love it: Family-history and genealogy folks, CCC fans and anyone whose people came from the Cumberland Mountains.
• Good to know: Part of it is indoors and part is a walk, so wear shoes for the trail and dress for the weather.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Frozen Head Homesites)

🦴 Meet the Fossils Hiding in the Plateau’s Rock Layers at Cloudland Canyon

The rock under our feet holds old surprises. Cloudland Canyon’s Fossils of the Cumberland Plateau program introduces some of the most common fossils, and some not-so-common ones, that turn up in the plateau’s different rock layers. If you’ve ever picked up a funny-looking rock in a creek bed, this hour will help you name it.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Nov. 22 or Sunday, Nov. 29, 1–2 p.m. Eastern time, so noon our time.
• Where: Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, GA. The meeting spot isn’t listed, so check before you go (706-657-4050).
• How far: About 57 miles, roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: No program fee listed. $10 daily ParkPass.
• Who’ll love it: Young rock collectors, dinosaur-crazy grandkids and anyone who hunts creek beds.
• Good to know: On Sunday, Nov. 29, you can catch Holey Ground at 10 a.m. and Fossils at 1 p.m. on one $10 parking pass. Pack a lunch.

👉 Read more (Georgia State Parks — Fossils of the Cumberland Plateau)

🦅 Watch the Birds of Prey Get Their Thanksgiving Supper at Hiwassee

Here’s a quiet way to spend part of Thanksgiving afternoon. Hiwassee Scenic River State Park offers a behind-the-scenes look at how rangers care for the park’s birds of prey, right at feeding time. It’s a short half-hour program and it’s free, but space is limited.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving Day), 4–4:30 p.m. Delano is in Polk County, on Eastern time, so that’s 3 p.m. our time. The page has no time-zone label, so check before you go.
• Where: Meet at the park office, 404 Spring Creek Road, Delano, TN 37325.
• How far: About 80 miles, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free, with optional $5 or $10 donations. Sign up early; space is limited.
• Who’ll love it: Bird watchers, kids who need to run off some pie and families with visiting relatives.
• Good to know: Holiday programs can change. Call host Adam Holt at 423-263-0050 before you head out.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Birds of Prey Feeding)

⛰️ Skip the Black Friday Crowds and Hike a Brand-New Trail to Boar Head Gap Overlook

Trade the shopping lines for fresh air. Ranger Codi leads a 2.5-mile hike to Boar Head Gap Overlook, on one of Scott’s Gulf’s newly acquired trails. On the way you’ll see the Little Yellow Bluff Overlook and the remains of a dam that blew out in 2021, then climb a moderate hill to the big view.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Nov. 27 (the day after Thanksgiving), 10 a.m. to noon. White County is on Central time, like us. The page has no time-zone label, so check before you go.
• Where: Meet at the Virgin Falls Trailhead, 2080 Scotts Gulf Road, Sparta, TN 38583, then drive together to the Yellow Bluff parking lot.
• How far: About 50–60 miles, roughly 1¼ hours. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Sign-up choices are listed as $10 or $20 “Attendee + Donation.” It isn’t clear whether there’s a no-donation option, so check before you go (931-401-2079).
• Who’ll love it: Hikers who want a view few people have seen yet, and anybody trying to walk off the turkey.
• Good to know: Wear sturdy hiking boots, bring water and snacks, and a hiking stick helps. Dress for the weather.

👉 Read more (Tennessee State Parks — Boar Head Gap Overlook Hike)

Before you head out, a quick checklist:

• ✅ Mind the time zones. Cloudland Canyon, Frozen Head and Hiwassee are Eastern (subtract one hour). Fall Creek Falls and Scott’s Gulf are Central, like us.
• ✅ Sign up first for the Fall Creek Falls waterfall hike, Frozen Head Homesites, the Hiwassee feeding and the Boar Head Gap hike.
• ✅ Fri., Nov. 13: Four waterfalls at Fall Creek Falls, 10 a.m. Bring water; expect steps.
• ✅ Nov. 15–29: Cloudland Canyon programs. Keep $10 for the Georgia ParkPass; one pass covers the whole day.
• ✅ Sat., Nov. 21: Frozen Head Homesites, 2 p.m. Eastern (1 p.m. ours). Leave by about 10:30 a.m. our time.
• ✅ Thu., Nov. 26: Hiwassee birds of prey, 4 p.m. Eastern (3 p.m. ours).
• ✅ Fri., Nov. 27: Boar Head Gap hike, 10 a.m. our time; or Cloudland’s frontier skills, 1 p.m. Eastern.
• ✅ Fill up and pack a lunch. Need a gas stop, outfitter, feed store or a good diner on the way? Look on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these are free?

Frozen Head Homesites and the Hiwassee Birds of Prey Feeding are listed as free. The Cloudland Canyon caves and fossils talks list no program fee, but Georgia charges a $10 daily ParkPass per car. The Fall Creek Falls waterfall hike is $3, Frontier Skills is $5 plus parking, and the Boar Head Gap hike lists $10 or $20 sign-up options that include a donation.

Which one is closest to Dunlap?

Fall Creek Falls, about 32 miles. Scott’s Gulf is about 50–60 miles, and Cloudland Canyon about 57. Hiwassee is about 80 miles, and Frozen Head is the farthest at about 96.

Do I need to sign up?

Yes for the Fall Creek Falls hike, Frozen Head Homesites, the Hiwassee feeding (space is limited) and the Boar Head Gap hike; use the Read more links. The Cloudland Canyon listings don’t mention a sign-up, so call 706-657-4050 to be sure.

Which are best with kids?

The Hiwassee birds of prey feeding is short and exciting. The Cloudland caves and fossils talks are indoors-friendly and only an hour. Frontier Skills is hands-on. The waterfall hike has steps and a climb, so it’s best for kids who already like hiking.

Can I do more than one in a day?

Yes, at Cloudland Canyon. On Sunday, Nov. 29, the caves talk is at 10 a.m. and the fossils program at 1 p.m. (Eastern), on one $10 parking pass. On Thursday, Nov. 19, the caves talk and Frontier Skills both start at 10 a.m., so you’d pick one.

Why are some times Eastern and some Central?

Cloudland Canyon is in Georgia, and Frozen Head (Morgan County) and Hiwassee (Polk County) are in East Tennessee’s Eastern zone, one hour ahead of Sequatchie County. Fall Creek Falls (Van Buren County) and Scott’s Gulf (White County) are Central, like us. The Tennessee park pages don’t label a time zone, so I counted by county and marked it check before you go.

What if the weather turns bad?

State park programs can change or be canceled for weather. The parks say schedules may change, so call the park or check the event page the morning you go.

🔗 Other Resources

• Tennessee State Parks — 4 Waterfalls Hike, Fall Creek Falls (Nov. 13)
• Georgia State Parks — Holey Ground: Caves and Karst of the Cumberland Plateau
• Georgia State Parks — Frontier Skills at the Canyon Rim
• Georgia State Parks — Fossils of the Cumberland Plateau
• Georgia State Parks — Cloudland Canyon events calendar
• Georgia State Parks — ParkPass ($10 daily)
• Tennessee State Parks — Frozen Head Homesites (Nov. 21)
• Tennessee State Parks — Birds of Prey Feeding, Hiwassee (Nov. 26)
• Tennessee State Parks — Boar Head Gap Overlook Hike, Scott’s Gulf (Nov. 27)
• Dunlap.Directory — local businesses and services

🌅 Take It Easy, and Pick the One That Fits

You don’t need to do all seven. If you want something close to home, sign up for the four-waterfall hike at Fall Creek Falls this Friday. If you’d like a gentle day out, go to Cloudland Canyon on Sunday, Nov. 29 for caves in the morning and fossils after lunch. And if the house is full of relatives over Thanksgiving, take them to watch the raptors eat on Thursday or hike Boar Head Gap on Friday. Jot down three things: Georgia, Frozen Head and Hiwassee are an hour ahead of us; sign up first where it’s required; and check before you go. And for more calm, useful news from right here at home, keep reading Dunlap.Today and find local help on Dunlap.Directory.