Soak Creek Scenic River
Soak Creek originates in Cumberland County, Tennessee and flows down the Cumberland Plateau into a remote cliff-lined canyon of primitive Appalachian wilderness to its confluence with the Piney River near Spring City, Tennessee. This free-flowing river serves as a critical habitat for the iconic species of the Cumberland Plateau, and offers whitewater paddlers a scenic Class III descent when flows rise following rains. Hikers on the Cumberland Trail can also benefit from a recent land conservation purchase that borders Soak Creek creating a corridor between Piney Falls State Natural Area and Stinging Fork Natural Area.
Bledsoe & Rhea County
Soak Creek was designed in 2016 as a Class III Developed River Area. The affected segment of Soak Creek begins in Bledsoe County at its confluence with Georgia Branch continuing to a point downstream to its confluence with the Piney River in Rhea County.
Nearby Attractions
Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park
From Spring City, take State Route 68 north toward Crossville, or from Crossville travel south on S.R. 68. Look for a convenience store near the bridge over the Piney River. On the same side of S.R. 68 as the convenience store, the first cross street is Shut-In-Gap Road. Turn on there and travel about 1 mile to a parking area on the right by a picnic area at the Piney River. Park here for access to Soak Creek, which is a short walk continuing up Shut-In-Gap Road, across the bridge over the Piney River, to a gated jeep trail going up Soak Creek. Learn more about Cumberland Trail State Park.
Piney Falls State Natural Area
From Spring City take State Route 68 north toward Crossville, or from Crossville travel south on S.R. 68. As you get to the crest of the Cumberland escarpment, you enter the unincorporated town of Grandview. Look for a sign for Piney Falls State Natural Area and turn onto the Fire Tower Road (a.k.a., Hillary Road). The trailhead is on the right approximately one mile from Highway 68 or one-fourth mile before you get to the fire tower, which is located at the end of the road. Learn more about Piney Falls SNA.
Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area - Learn more about Stinging Fork Falls SNA.