Rock Island State Park is an 883 acre park located on the headwaters of Center Hill Lake at the confluence of the Caney Fork, Collins and Rocky Rivers. The rugged beauty of the park includes the Caney Fork Gorge below Great Falls Dam. These overlooks are some of the most scenic and significant along the Eastern Highland Rim. Great Falls is a 30 foot horseshoe cascading waterfall, located below the 19th century cotton textile mill that it powered over 100 years ago. Rock Island became a Tennessee State Park in 1969.

The Caney Fork River Gorge contains scenic overlooks, waterfalls, deep pools and limestone paths perfect for hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking and exploring. The park’s whitewater sections attract professional freestyle kayakers from around the world. It also features a natural sand beach and boating access on Center Hill Lake.

from  http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/rock-island

From one visit to the next, Rock Island State Park is always changing — from season to season to season throughout the park, but also in the gorge from the timing and intensity of water releases from the dam.

There are many scenic trails: easy walks along the gorge and/or through the woods, and some steep and potentially slippery trails  going into the gorge.

For this shoot, we will be exploring two trails on the north side of the gorge in the morning, the downstream and upstream trails (areas).  The focus will be on water features and hopefully emerging wildflowers.

We will break for lunch at the Rock Island  Market & Cafe, then enjoy the leisurely, but scenic Collins River loop trail.

Members can sign up for the hike and find more detailed information on the members’ site.