Jackson Falls — Attraction in Vienna

This is an amazing place. It's amazing each time I go to the Shawnee no matter how far apart each spot is there's a different vibe. If you've traveled alot and you get off a plane and get out of the airport to breathe that first breath of air and it's either humid/less humid/ colder (let me get my jacket)/ warmer (let me take my jacket off)/ higher or lower in altitude (let me get that Oxygen tank or take this airport approved oxygen tank off me). The same goes for each spot in the Shawnee. I can take you to one spot in the Shawnee that we'll say is 80° and I'll take you 20 mins down the road to an area that's 50°. If you've you're a hiker from somewhere else then more than likely you know what I'm talking about. One thing I will point out is this is the place to view the stars and in my opinion the important stars are lined up perfectly east to west at this place and only at one certain spot which I won't give away. I will say it's the highest point in the area and the stars light up the forest. You can hike at midnight here till the sun comes up if you stay on the high outer ridge facing east. Great place but also can be dangerous. But that should go without saying being that this is snake heaven especially right now at the end of March you will see snakes and if you don't mess with them they won't mess with you (for the most part). As far as other animals we have seen bobcats out here, bears, poisonous snakes that we walk right past, hawks fishing for snakes, deer, armadillos believe it or not and of course us lovely humans. 😉 Stay safe and keep those kids safer. If you need advice feel free to...

We hiked down the the falls on the shorter loop next to the road. Beautiful scenery, falls weren't too impressive, more of a trickle in early June despite the rain a few days earlier, but we expected that. The trails are not well marked, you need to either know the area or bring a GPS! We used the AllTrails app and were exceptionally glad we did or we would have gone in the wrong direction more than once. There is a faster way to get down to the falls than going all the way around to Helispot, and we took this way back up to our car. I suggest if you want to get to the bottom quickly, you do the following: (1) drive past the parking area/trailhead and park on the side of the road about half a mile down, coordinates 37.505523, -88.681285 (caution, road is pretty bumpy but can be managed) (2) hike down from the road approx 100ft to the trail and go left, (3) pass over a wooden bridge, (4) at GPS coordinates 37.504375, -88.681905 clamber down the boulder trail to the bottom of the bluff (there is a red emergency & first-aid station @ the bottom). It may look impossible at first glance which is how we missed it, but it is not hard if you are physically able and saves you from having to walk over a mile further. (4) go northwest about a quarter mile, stay right along the bottom of the bluffs until you get to the falls. We learned of this way from a very kind older gentleman who was camping overnight @ the bottom...

Hi everyone, I'm a frequent climber in the area. This area is seeing a lot more traffic than it used to of late, and with it more accidents and even deaths, so I wanted to give a few quick reminders. Please be careful on top of the cliff line. DO NOT walk on the waterfall side of any of the bridges. Keep in mind to be very cautious with kids on your way down the dog-walk scramble. If you feel any doubt you or anyone in your family can get down safely, find another way down. It may require more hiking but there are ways to just walk down. Please do your best to stay on the trail and feel free to ask others for help if you are lost. Please PLEASE pack out your trash, including toilet paper used or not. If you are willing to pack out more trash than you brought in, we always try to contribute in such a way when we go down. Thank you for helping!

All are welcome, but we need to take care of...