Machine Falls is really beautiful and worth the slightly strenuous hike to get there! It was a little hard to find information about Short Springs and exactly where to go to do the hike. If you go follow Country Club Ln which turns into Short Springs Rd. then park at the water tower; the hiking trails are across the street.Absolutely awesome place:)
Nice beautiful scenic walk, but secluded at times. I enjoy walking the trail with family to be safe.
This is a favorite and is also found in the Tennessee Waterfalls book. it has five miles of trails that you may choose to hike. if you only want to see the waterfall you can take the direct route. It is a pretty good hike down and back up to this spot-but worth it. Take plenty of bottled water with you and enjoy it.
Excellent hike and worth it to get to the falls. The falls are very beautiful and a moderate hike to get there. We were able to take some beautiful photos. Highly recommended.
This is a wonderful place to visit if you are in Tullahoma and enjoy hiking, nature and waterfalls. There are several miles of trails in the area and several nice waterfalls. Some of the trails involve steep drops and can be difficult to hike if you have mobility limitations. However, the trail start at a level area and much of the Machine Falls loop can be hiked without any steep drops if you do not go all the way to the falls. There is a connector trail that cuts across to reconnect with the other side of the loop without going to the falls and the walk in the woods is wonderful. Short Springs Natural Area can be a little difficult to find. There are small signs and it is on most maps and GPSs. It is also near a much easier to visit waterfall, Rutledge Falls. The parking lot for the hiking trails is next to the very large water tower. The trail head for all of the trails is across the street (notice the pedestrian crossing markings on the street) just a few feet into the woods. The first sign you see will be for the Machine Falls loop which is a very nice 3 mile hike. All of the other trails branch off of this loop. As recommended, if you are going to the Machine Falls, take the left path returning on the right path. The reason is the descent down to the creek and the falls is very step when approach from the left. Going down this side is much easier than going up. There are a lot of rock to negotiate and several nice stairs to use. If you choose to finish the loop back to the parking lot (which I recommend) the climb out is steep but a steady level climb with no rocks or stairs. When you get to the bottom of the descent, you will see the wildflower trail branch off to the left and a sign next to the bridge crossing the creek. To get to the falls, which you cannot see from the bridge, I recommend staying on the right side of the creek until you are about halfway, then you will see some stepping stone rocks that you can use to get to the left side. By then you can see the falls but will have to cross the creek on stepping stones one more time to get to the base of the falls. Do not go all this way and not go to see the falls. t is beautiful and our pictures cannot capture how nice it is. The creek is shallow and if you take your time you can easily make it to the base. Return to the parking lot by continuing on the loop. There will be two more trails that branch off along the way. The first goes to another waterfall and the last is just a nice hike in the woods. There is also a side loop to yet another falls that branches shortly after you start hiking the Machine Falls loop trail. It rejoins the Machine Falls loop trail just before it descends into the Machine Falls area. Good hiking shoes and water are recommended.
I actually live near this area and it is very beautiful. If you hike just a little while you can see Machine Gun Falls. The waterfall is awesome and you can even swim in the creek if you like. Very nice for outdoor lovers.
WoW! What a great find! A friend recommended the Loop hike and we loved it! We walked the well marked trail and even got very close to the falls at both the top AND the bottom. It is some awesome scenery! One of the most awesome water fall and rock formation sites in SE Tennessee. I would compare it to Buggy Top or maybe Foster Falls. Our family had a blast. Bring drinking water and enjoy a very infrequently visited hiking opportunity.
Wonderful network of trails to several waterfalls - the largest and most impressive being Machine Falls. Fantastic in early spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.
We went with our two daughters 4 and 6 and hiked the Busby Falls trail. It was beautiful and had some great photo opportunities along with some wading/swimming spots. For adult experienced hikers there are some spots to get close to the bigger falls and the Machine Gun falls trail has the best waterfalls but we were told that the hike would be too much for the kids. Definitely make the trip if your within an hour, you will.be glad you did!
Sublime Machine Gun Falls!!! What an incredible treasure right here in Tullahoma! The short hike is very nice, very peaceful with few other hikers, a bit tricky as you get closer to the falls, but the view is worth every effort! Love to pack a lunch and picnic by the falls! It is so beautiful that we were even disappointed when we saw the Laurel and Grotto falls in the Smokies: small falls and crowded trails. Now we know that there is no need to travel all the way there when the best falls are just around the corner!