Laurel Run Park

There is so much natural beauty to discover in this region -- I know I'll never be able to see it all. Here's a new discovery outside of Church Hill, TN -- Laurel Run Park. It's an absolute gem. It has to be one of the most scenic hikes in East Tennessee -- especially at this time of year when Laurel Run is flowing strong and the woods are full of wildflowers ready to bloom. If you love spring wildflowers, look no further. It's not that there a few wildflowers scattered here or there -- they're everywhere. They're not quite blooming yet -- I'd say give them another week and you'll see an amazing variety of spring wildflowers out at Laurels Run.

There are also two waterfalls to visit there: Laurel Run Falls (10' -- right photo) and Kiner Creek Falls (30' - top photo). Both are within 1/4 mile of each other -- with many more beautiful cascades and smaller waterfalls along the way (it's about a mile hike one way). Kiner Creek is a small watershed, so the best time to visit these falls is after a heavy rainfall. But if it is flowing, it's magnificent - one of the few waterfalls in this area that you can easily walk behind. Click here, here and here for more information and descriptions of Laurel Run Falls. Click here and here for more on Kiner Creek Falls.

Directions: Take I-26 toward Kingsport, TN to Exit 1 (Stone Drive - 11W), head west on 11W 8.5 miles until you reach Church Hill, TN. Turn left on Goshen Valley Road (Rt. 2367) go 0.8 miles and turn left on River Road. Continue 2 miles and turn left on Laurel Run Park Road and continue 1.3 miles to the park. Once at the park, bear right and park at the amphitheater. The trail follows an old logging road across the bridge. You'll immediately come to a foot trail climbing up into the woods on your left, don't take this -- it's steep and badly marked. You're better off continuing to follow the old logging road. You'll immediately come to another bridge - if there's lots of water -- that's a good sign. The old road tends to be pretty muddy (old shoes recommended), but offers a beautiful view of the creek, which you'll eventually cross (without a bridge! Can be kinda tricky...), and then a little ways further and you'll come to the first waterfall, Laurel Run Falls.

On to Kiner Creek Falls...Continue on the main trail a little further and you'll come to point where the creeks fork. Straight ahead (the smaller stream) is Kiner Creek. If there's no water flowing (which they say is often the case in mid-summer), then I'd just turn back. Assuming there's some water flowing, at this point you have a choice to make -- Option 1...You can cross Kiner Creek to your right and then make an immediate left following the "trail" that goes along the creek for a 1/4 mile to the falls. At times it's a trail, but much of the way it's a bushwhack. Stay near the creek if you go this way - keep pushing and you'll eventually emerge at Kiner Creek Falls. The benefit of this option is that you'll see a couple of waterfalls on your way -- the downside is that it's very tough going, very thick brush in places. Option 2...Or you can take the trail to the left, it will climb for a short distance and then switchback to the right - continue on another 1/4 mile or so; But this is where it gets tricky, there's not really a good trail going down the very steep bank to the right. If you listen closely, you'll hear the falls and if you look, you should see where past adventurers have traveled/slid. This is the most direct route. Whichever way you go, you're in for an adventure. Good luck!

By the way...If you continue on the upper trail past the falls, you will eventually enter Bays Mountain Park!