Lower Dennis Cove Falls

Two words that I'd use to describe Dennis Cove ... "remote" and "beautiful". I guess I could have also used the words ... "no" and "bridges". After parking and walking in a 1/2 mile or so, you reach the first of three creek crossings. These are very challenging in periods of high water. At this time of year, however, it's possible to rock hop (but still not entirely easy) or to simply wade across (which is what I did). The good news is that there's very little elevation gain from the parking area to the falls. After a brief hike following the third crossing, a short, unmarked trail to your right will lead down to the 10' waterfall you see above. For more information, click here. To see my photo of the 25' upper falls, click here.

Directions: Hampton, TN is located between cities of Elizabethton and Roan Mountain on Highway 19E. Once in Hampton, turn north onto route 321/67 toward Mountain City. Drive 0.8 miles and turn right immediately in front of the Citizen's Bank onto Dennis Cove Road. Take this incredibly curvy and steep road for about 5 miles. (At 4 miles in, you'll pass by a parking area on your left for the trailhead to Laurel Falls -- soon after that, you'll pass by Laurel Fork Lodge on your left). At 4.6 miles, if you look carefully to your right, you'll see a trail heading up into the woods which leads to Coon Den Falls. At 4.9 miles you'll see a gravel parking area on your left immediately before crossing a single lane bridge which leads to the Dennis Cove Campground. The trailhead is to the right of the bridge and is well-marked.