Only three miles or so away from the beloved Rutledge Falls, in a heavily wooded Tennessee holler, Machine Falls plunges 60 feet down a jagged rock face to the enjoyment of many visitors.

The water from the falls, located in the Short Springs Natural Area in Coffee County—a couple miles northeast of downtown Tullahoma—empties into Normandy Lake, just downstream from the falls.

Natural Area visitors can find a parking lot on Short Springs Road next to a large water tower; this is actually located within the Tullahoma city limits. Cross the road for the trailhead leading to Machine Falls and other natural sights.

The first portion of the trail, on both the Trailhead Loop and the Machine Falls Loop, makes for an easy stroll through the woods. Offshoot trails lead to Bobo Creek and upper and lower Busby Falls, smaller waterfalls viewable from trail overlooks.

“I highly recommend doing these trails as well if you have enough time. They aren’t as heavily trafficked and are very pretty hikes,” reported hiker Chase Howell after a visit.

“There is also an alternate route to Busby Falls following Bobo Creek Trail, which is another loop trail that leads you down to Bobo Creek, where you can choose to do the 1.2-mile Laurel Bluff trail. This loops back to the Bobo Creek Trail,” he said.

Back on the Machine Falls Loop, continuing on this route will lead to a steep downhill staircase. Park officials have formed a staircase to make the significant descent in elevation more manageable, but it is quite steep in portions. Arriving at these stairs means a hiker is getting close to the jewel of the park.

A creek awaits at the bottom of this downhill climb. The remainder of the trip to Machine Falls is level, but travelers should prepare to get their feet wet during this leg of the journey. The last little stretch to the falls requires actually walking upstream through the creek.

“This hike is truly beautiful. Be prepared for a bit of an adventure trying to get down to the falls,” another visitor, Max Withrow, posted. “I would recommend bringing waterproof boots or shoes to get there as you might need to walk through some shallow water.”

Yes, hikers should be aware this section will most likely get their shoes wet. Mind the footing on the sometimes slippery rocks, but “it’s worth it,” a park visitor told a group of hikers almost to the falls.

Nearby this point, Normandy Lake is deep enough for boats to pull up and unload some Machine Falls visitors.

Arriving at the scenic feature, waterfall enthusiasts can climb up the rocks comprising the lower portion of Machine Falls, only approximately five feet, to a spacious ledge. The majority of the falls above this point pour down the rock face onto a very shallow pool atop this large ledge.

Machine Falls is an impressive, wide waterfall and the ledge below makes a nice place to have a break and cool off for a good photo op, to dip a youngster’s toes into the water or to explore some of the steep but scalable areas surrounding the falls.

The air in this lower basin area is significantly cooler than up top on the main trail.

For those who desire a longer walk, continue north from Machine Falls and take the Adams Falls trail for another hiking loop.

The natural area provides excellent contrast between the Highland Rim and Central Basin geology and vegetation, according to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, which manages the falls cooperatively with the City of Tullahoma and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

“When descending along the Machine Falls trail, a visitor can observe exposed black Chattanooga shale at mid-slope, which is a formation that delineates the Central Basin from the Highland Rim. Thickets of mountain laurel grow on the upper slopes under a dry oak-hickory forest canopy that is characteristic of Highland Rim vegetation. The lower slopes and riparian areas along Bobo Creek support towering sycamore, buckeye, magnolia, beech and tulip poplar trees with a rich shrub layer and herbaceous cover,” TDEC literature says.

Some report the area also makes a lovely spot to view wildflowers in the spring.

Parking can be limited at Short Springs State Natural Area. If the small parking area near the water tower has no spots available, officials ask hikers to leave and return at a different time rather than parking in non-designated areas. Consider visiting this attraction during weekdays.

“You’ll be lucky to find a [parking] spot. Recently, all overflow and off-pavement parking is prohibited in an attempt to limit ecodamage. Get there early, or on a weekday . . . I’ve had to skip the hike several times due to lack of parking,” Andrew Altschuler said.

Even during off times, expect to “see lots of families and dogs on the trail. Don’t expect solitude,” the visitor continued, but he added that it is a pretty hike to a beautiful, secluded waterfall.

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IF YOU GO:
Short Springs State Natural Area
Short Springs Road, Tullahoma
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Division of Natural Areas
615-532-0431
tn.gov/environment