Caney Fork Trail

Caney Fork Trail is a 6-mile one-way trail in Scott's Gulf Wilderness State Park, Tennessee. It is rated hard, has a natural surface and is open to hiking. This is a wonderful trail featuring a few waterfalls and riverfront views along the way. You can access this trail either from the trailhead down on the Scott’s Gulf Road, near the “Fork Hole”. Or you can park on top at the parking for the Holloway Connector Trail and take the 0.5 mile trail down. Or you can pick it up off of the Polly Branch Trail. But be advised that the beginning portion of the Polly Branch Trail, which is on TWRA, closes during big game hunts. 0.0 miles: The parking lot/trailhead is almost all the way to the “Fork Hole”, on the Scott’s Gulf Road. This is an rough road, so it is advised to do the trail and park instead up on top of the Plateau at the parking for the Holloway Connector Trail. The road is much better up there. 0.2 miles: Holloway Connector Trail comes in on left and Caney Fork Trail on left. Continue straight. 1.1 miles: Gunstock Branch Falls. This area is marked by large boulders and uprooted trees from a dam blow out in 2021 that sent a torrent of water down the canyon there. 3.0 miles: Bee Branch Falls. 3.7 miles: Lower Polly Branch Falls in on your right. Trail continues off to the right. But you may want to turn left to see the upper Jenny Branch Falls, Upper Polly Branch Falls, and head back to the parking lot. 4.3 miles: Copper Cascades. This is a large spring or resurgence that can be difficult to cross during high flow. 5.5 miles: Trail climbs out of the Caney Fork Gulf and ends at one of the burn demonstration areas managed by TWRA. Listed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (Tennessee State Parks).