Twin Falls at Rock Island State Park

Just outside of McMinnville, Tennessee, where the Collins River and the Rocky River join the Caney Fork River, there is a large dam. Known as the Great Falls Dam, it generates power, creates a boating area upstream and releases water into the Great Falls area downstream.

Rock Island State Park, the area surrounding the dam offers hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, boating, biking, picnicking and lots of beautiful sights to see, and makes a nice day trip from Murfreesboro, only an hour’s drive away.

The park displays a variety of landscapes whose view changes substantially depending on where the visitor is on the river, and how high the river is at that particular time. Great Falls can be a torrent of rushing rapids, if the dam releases a large amount of water. During these times, a locked gate may keep people from descending to this area of the river gorge. The overlooks above, however, provide access to an impressive view.

Great Falls

When water levels are lower, a visitor may stand on dry land in serene stillness within the river bed, where powerful waters may have passed over just days before.

A large brick building that once housed a 19th-century cotton mill, powered by the river water, still stands by Great Falls.

Traveling downstream leads to Twin Falls, another beautiful feature of Rock Island State Park. On the primary side of the park, a visitor can walk to the cliffs at the top of these falls, though for a full view of Twin Falls, take a drive to the White County (north) side of the river, where trails lead to a view of these falls from across the river.

View from the Power House Road side of the river

Observing Twin Falls, one notices that they burst out of the side of the cliff face, about two-thirds of the way up a 120-foot cliff.

These falls did not exist until the construction of the Great Falls Dam, and the diversion of a canal to the power house, according to gowaterfalling.com. The dam—one of 29 dams in the Tennessee Valley Authority system, 19 of which are located in Tennessee, these aside from the dams under the control of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—put such additional pressure on the waters upstream that underground runoff that would typically go to the nearby Collins River had to find another route out. This water blasted out of the cliff face creating another area tourist attraction, Twin Falls.

Blue Hole Falls, photo courtesy of alltrails.com

Continuing downstream, the Rock Island State Park explorer then comes to Blue Hole Falls, another beautiful water feature on the river. Again, descending into the river gorge here can be quite treacherous, or quite pleasant, depending on the activity at the dam and powerhouse.

Even farther downstream, but still less than two miles from the dam, the water here can remain gentle even with vicious rapids upstream. Those wishing to enter the river to swim can do so on the gradually sloping, sanded beach on one side. Sharp, precipitous cliffs on the other side from the beach provide a contrast in topography and some nice scenery.

Here, some visitors fish or grill out or play on the shore as others swim in the river. A nearby boat launch gives boaters access to the water, just upstream from Center Hill Lake.

While not all parts of the river are suitable for casual swimmers at all times, the raging waters do attract some kayaking adventure seekers ready to ride the rapids. Rock Island State Park has even been home to the U.S. Freestyle Kayaking World Championships.

In fact, kayak champion Eric Jackson lives near the park, where he frequently floats. Also the founder of Jackson Kayaks, Jackson based his kayak manufacturing facility in White County.

Rock Island has plenty of shaded hiking area, with various picnic spaces scattered around.

The trails can range from the 2.6-mile Collins River Nature Trail, to a .15-mile trail that leads to a small family cemetery, not far from atop Twin Falls.

Most of those traveling to Rock Island State Park, other than the motorists coming from the west on Highway 287, first pass through the small village of Rock Island, Tennessee, a quaint cluster of houses, churches and antique shops located near the entrance to the park, yet another pleasant sight to see in the area.

It’s free to enter and explore the park. Tent, RV and cabin camping areas are available for rent; tent sites for $21 per night or 3-bedroom cabins for $140 per night.

For more information on lake levels in Tennessee and water generation schedules, visit tva.com. For more information on Tennessee State Parks, visit tnstateparks.com.
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IF YOU GO:

82 Beach Rd., Rock Island, Tennessee

Twin Falls Viewpoint: Take Power House Road until it dead ends into the parking lot for the viewpoint.

Area hours vary from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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