happyly approved

Tom T Hall Cabin

390 Buck Ridge Road, Oneida TN 37841

24 hours

$$$

road-trips, outdoor-adventures, parks

We love Tom T Hall cabin so much that we've stayed there a total of 3 times over the years.  It's gorgeously appointed, set on 13 private acres, includes a beautiful small pond (with canoe!), wraparound porch, and hot tub.  It has a fire pit, horseshoe game, and Traeger grill.  It boasts 3 bedrooms, two baths, a lovely fireplace and a huge dining table in the main room.  It's dreamy and relaxing and perfect for quality family time.  Best of all, it's near Big South Fork, which is one of my favorite getaways from Nashville.  Oneida will be the closest town for groceries and provisions.

Big South Fork is a perfect weekend getaway from Nashville, and it’s less well known and populated than the Smokies.  A National Recreation area, it boasts gorgeous rivers, huge rocks, dazzling white water rivers, caves, and unique vistas.  Hiking tips:

  • Download the free AllTrails maps for up to date trail information

  • Many trails in or near Big South Fork do not have cell reception, so if you need the AllTrails map on hand, you will need to download the map using the paid version in advance

  • We’ve seen bears in the area; be prepared

  • Bring plenty of water, be prepared for changing weather, check yourself for ticks

Angel Falls - Big South Fork

Hiking distance: 4.0 miles

Drive from cabin: 11.6 miles / 24 minutes

Angel Falls Trail is one of the most kid-friendly hikes given that it is largely flat though a bit long at 4 miles.  My 5 year old handled the 4 miles out and back fine.  The trail is well marked and trodden.  It’s an out and back with the major highlight being Angel Falls.  It’s a short drive from Oneida, Tennessee and is accessible year-round.  The beaches at the beginning of the trail make for a great picnic as do the large boulders at the turnaround point.  Restrooms are at the trailhead.

Find the trailhead where Hwy. 297 crosses the Big South Fork River.  The trail starts just off the parking lot and heads along the river to the north.

Note: Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on a leash.

Northrup Falls

Hiking distance: 1.4 miles

Drive from cabin: 41.3 miles / 59 minutes

Northrup Falls is fairly accessible and remotely located and boasts a ~64-foot waterfall with a blue-ish pool at the base.  It’s located not too far from Jamestown, Tennessee in the Colditz Cove area, which is 165 acres approximately two miles east of Allardt in Fentress County (and very near the historic town of Rugby).  My 5-year-old daughter and I tackled the loop in about an hour early on a weekday morning and found the place to ourselves.  What I love about this waterfall is that the trail circles behind the waterfall, so you can experience it from all angles.  Stunning!  In addition to the waterfall highlight, there are interesting rock cave formations and the area is extremely green and lush.

Honey Creek Loop - Big South Fork

Hiking distance: 4.4 miles

Drive from cabin: 26.6 miles / 50 minutes

The Honey Creek Loop would be my favorite hike I’ve experienced in Tennessee, except that it is a little too tough for young kids so it won’t claim that “favorite” title until my children are old enough to enjoy it.  I would not take your toddlers or young kids or even your pets on this loop, as there are several slippy rocks, ladders, ropes required to traverse boulders, etc.   My friend completed this with her tweens and teens and they did just fine.

At the parking lot, cross the road to the start.  Do not proceed to the path from the parking lot, as you will want to trek counter-clockwise.

I’d advise you to download AllTrails map layers as it is easy to get lost in some places.  While the trail is decently marked in places, we found ourselves off track a few times on accident.  Trail blazes on this trail are random arrows, blazes of green.  I would not trek alone on this one with only yourself and a teen/tween.

There are plenty of campsites along this trail but some of the boulder crawls will make it tough to carry a backpack for camping. 

Tips: Plan for an hour for each mile.  Wear grippy shoes and plan to get your feet wet – and watch out for your ankles (you don’t want to twist them).  Make time to climb up to the Honey Creek Overlook, which boasts a gorgeous view of the Big South Fork River and Area.  Plan for enough time to explore all the caves, waterfalls, and resting spots adequately.

Directions: Located within the Big South Fork NRRA in Oneida, Tennessee. Take Hwy. 27 south 11 miles, turn right onto Mountain View Road and follow signs for 5.3 miles to Burnt Mill Fork Bridge Trailhead, continue across bridge and travel 3.5 miles, turn right to Honey Creek Trailhead.

Natural Bridge and Hazard Creek - Pickett State Park

Hiking distance: 2.4 miles

Drive from cabin: 25.7 miles / 43 minutes

Pickett CCC Memorial State Park lies within the 19,200-acre Pickett State Forest and is adjacent to the massive 120,000 acre Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Though it's small compared to its towering neighbor, it's worth a visit.

There are tons of hiking trails (more than 58 miles!) from day-use to longer multi-day backpacking trails (note: a backcountry camping permit is required through the park office).  My family did the short "Natural Bridge and Hazard Cave Loop" and it was well worth it and only 2.4 miles- diverse with sandstone bluffs, natural bridges, and diverse plant life.

Beyond the hiking trails, there are five rustic cabins, a recreation lodge, a ranger station and a 12-acre lake where there is a designated swimming area and beach.

We weren't there at night, but apparently Pickett is a certified dark sky viewing location!  According to the website, "In 2015, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park and Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area earned Silver-tier International Dark Sky Park designation. It became the first state park in the Southeast to gain this prestigious recognition. Visitors can enjoy sweeping, rich views of the night sky similar to those found in many of the Western states."

Princess Falls - Daniel Boone

Hiking distance: 2.4 miles

Drive from cabin: 33 miles / 50 minutes

Princess Falls is an easy 2.4 mile out / back trail which leads to some gorgeous falls.  You can enjoy the sandy beach-like area below the falls – there is great swimming/splashing and there is even a cave-like overhang.  It makes for a great family picnic spot.  You can also enjoy the view above the falls, which boasts a lovely rocky river-like area that’s a bit slippery if you’re not careful.  While the trail to get to the falls is relatively easy (my four-year-old had no problem), there isn’t much to see besides a smaller falls along the way.  The trail hugs the Cumberland River most of the way so it can be hot/muggy in the summer months.  Still, it’s shaded and easy and the path is clear.  Plan to spend time at the falls enjoying their beauty but know that the actual walking is easily done within an hour.  Note that the start of the trail goes straight from the sign in the parking lot, but if you wish you can do the first part of the path on a lower sandy trail right alongside the river.

Middle Creek Loop

Hiking distance: 3.4 miles

Drive from cabin: 26 miles / 45 minutes

Middle Creek Loop is best done clockwise and is relatively easy and great for the whole family.  It starts out as just a pretty regular stroll through the woods on a well-marked trail.  However, you quickly see huge rock formations that feel otherworldly through the entire middle mile of the trail.  The cavernous overhangs are stunning and provide about a 10-degree temperature drop if you wander towards them.  A few have trickle-like water from them, but the trail is dry beyond that.  My daughter and I saw a bear on the trail, so do be prepared.  On a late afternoon, there were no other people to be seen.

Features

Waterfall Swimming Nature
Thoughtfully captured by:
The happyly team

Recommended Gear