The Most Breathtaking Natural Area In Tennessee You’ve Never Heard Of
Short Springs State Natural Area is located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and is one of the least visited but most stunning places in the entire state. Just a short drive outside of Nashville, Short Springs State Natural Area features miles and miles of trails as well as some of the most sublime waterfalls and the most scenic trails. With incredible scenery like this, though, we don’t think it’ll be crowd-free for long….
Short Springs Natural Area, outside of Tullahoma, is a true hidden gem that often gets lost in the shadows of Tennessee's more visited parks in the Cumberland Plateau.
The park features multiple trails -- The Machine Falls Loop is 1.6 miles and takes you right to the base of this gorgeous waterfall pictured here.
Fun history fact: Short Springs was once the water supply for the town of Tullahoma before the Nomandy Dam was built, creating Normandy Lake.
The park has two main creeks running through it -- the Machine Falls Branch, and Bobo Creek, both of which have trails that will take you across and along their banks.
One of the unique features of Short Springs Natural Area is that it sits between two geologies. The Highland Rim and Central Basin zones, divided by the park's Chattanooga shale, feature completely different vegetation areas. Pretty cool!
More waterfalls? That's right, folks. Bobo Creek is home to the Upper and Lower Busby falls, and both can be seen from the Bobo Creek trail.
Short Springs is known for its wildflowers. Even uncommon plants like large flowered trillium and barren strawberry grow in abundance here.
What are you waiting for? Check it out today! The parking for the trail heads can be found at 1 Powell Rd in Tullahoma.
This beautiful town in Tennessee is also a fabulous place to explore. Have you been?
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