Lost Creek State Natural Area — Attraction in Crossville

What a Gem!! Lost Creek Cave is one of the larger caves in Tennessee, with five entrances (including the large one in the sink), and seven miles of mapped passages. It is a popular recreational cave. It is also home to several rare species, including the federally protected Indiana bat. Because of the population decline of cave-dwelling bats, the cave is closed during the hibernation and swarming time of bats. Recreational access is allowed during other times of the year, but a no-cost permit must be obtained from the Nature Center at Fall Creek Falls. Geologically, this area is on the flank of the western Cumberland Plateau. It has several other collapse features on the landscape which define it as a transition between the harder sandstones of the Plateau proper, and the more soluble limestones found on the Highland Rim. The water, which creates Lost Creek Falls, is coming from the Dog Cove area, a large cove of appearing, then disappearing creeks, just north of the Lost Creek Natural Area. Almost all of the Natural Area is covered with a diverse community of mixed hardwoods, including Butternut, Tulip tree, Sycamore, Sweetgum, Hemlock, a variety of Oaks, and Hickory. Wildflowers are abundant in the Spring. Ferns and mosses are rich...

Magnificent area that is beyond gorgeous. I visit here about once a week. I do truly wish that people would stop littering here though. It's not lovely seeing cigarette butts, drink cans, napkins, tampons. You know, the usual stuff that goes in a trash bag when people aren't so lazy as to just throw it down. You're lazy. That's right. I said it. Fight me! Stop being lazy and useless. Your mama ain't in the forest to pick up after you so grow up and pick up after yourself! Still too lazy to do...

Had a great time hooking and exploring the natural beauty here! Seeing the different can entrances was so cool, but we were unable to enter due to it being closed for the Indiana Bats' hibernating season. We will return another time! Great trails, and great experience overall! There are NO restrooms or any other kinds of facilities here, however. So come prepared! The parking is very close, and the trails are short and easy overall, but steep in a...