Fall Creek Falls Activities June 14 th 21 st Welcome to Fall Creek Falls State Park! Summer vacation time is here and what a great place to spend it! The park provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some hiking, picnicking, boating, swimming, and wildlife watching while taking in the beautiful scenery. We encourage you to take advantage of the programs we have arranged for your enjoyment and enlightenment. *A parent or guardian must accompany youngsters 12 years old and younger. *Some craft programs may be limited to 30 participants due to limited supplies and space. First come, first serve. Sunday, June 14 th Pine Cone Bird Feeders Meet Courtney at the Rec. Hall to learn how to make your own bird feeder out of pine cones. Edible/Medicinal Plant Hike Meet Jonathan at the Nature Center for a short hike discussing some of the historical importance of our native plants. Ninja Meet Courtney at the Rec. Hall to test your quickness skills with this fun and challenging hand game! Motivation and laughter required. Pontoon Boat Tour Meet Cara at the Boat Dock for a pontoon boat tour around the lake. There is a limit of 8 Nature Scavenger Hunt Meet Jonathan at the Nature Center for a sense sharpening scavenger hunt. Pontoon Boat Tour Meet Cara at the Boat Dock for a pontoon boat tour around the lake. There is a limit of 8 2:45pm Mind Your Beeswax Meet Tommy at the Nature Center to learn the lifecycle and habits of honey bees. Ping-Pong Meet Courtney at the Rec. Hall to try your hand at a game of ping-pong.
Monday, June 15 th 9:00am Hike to the Base of Fall Creek Falls Meet Jonathan at the Main Overlook of Fall Creek Falls for a short but strenuous hike to the bottom of the falls. Along the way, we will discuss our park s forest ecology and geology. 10:45am Pelt Identification Meet Courtney at the Nature Center to learn about some furry creatures around the park. Under the Rock Meet Courtney at the Nature Center to search for some spectacular species of salamanders that this park has to offer. Supervision by park personnel is required prior to the movement of any rocks. This program is limited to the first 10 participants. Bike to Fall Creek Fall Overlook Meet Courtney at the Inn for a scenic lakeside bike tour to the Fall Creek Falls Overlook on the paved bike trail. This easy 4-mile ride is perfect for beginners and small children. Pontoon Boat Tour Meet Jonathan at the Boat Dock for a pontoon boat tour around the lake. There is a limit of 8 and a fee of $7 per seat. You must sign up at the Boat Dock. No refunds will be given for cash transactions or Pontoon Boat Tour Meet Jonathan at the Boat Dock for a pontoon boat tour around the lake. There is a limit of 8 and a fee of $7 per seat. You must sign up at the Boat Dock. No refunds will be given for cash transactions or Tuesday, June 16 th Turtle Rocks Meet Logan at the Rec. Hall to make and paint your pet turtle. 2:45pm 4:00pm or or Flora and Fauna of Fall Creek Meet Tommy at the Rec. Hall to become acquainted with examples of many of the different types of wildlife found in and around Fall Creek Falls State Park. Cable Trail Hike Join Logan at the Nature Center for a short but strenuous hike down the Cable Trail to the bottom of Cane Creek Falls. This is a great opportunity to experience the grandeur of one of our park s most prominent geological features. Wear sturdy shoes and bring along some water. Wednesday, June 17 th 9:00am Natural Bridge Excursion Meet Logan at the Nature Center for a short drive to the Wheeler Farm to view some spectacular geologic features. Please provide your own transportation. Carpooling is recommended. This will be a moderately strenuous 2-mile roundtrip hike to a natural bridge and shallow but beautiful waterfall. Wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring along some water. Bottle Cap Lures Meet Jon at the Rec. Hall to learn how to turn old bottle caps into cool fishing lures. Busy as a Bee Meet Jon at the Rec. Hall to learn about honey bees. or or
2:45pm 4:00pm Fire Starters Meet Jon at the Rec. Hall to make some wax based fire starter blocks to use at your next campfire. What Does the Fox Say? Meet Jon at the Rec. Hall to learn about one of our native fox species. Thursday, June 18 th 9:00am Field Games Meet Courtney at the basketball court in the Village for a morning filled with fun and games. Come and go as you please until 12pm. 7:45pm Ping-Pong Meet Devin at the Rec. Hall to try your hand at a game of ping-pong. Come and go as you please until 12pm. Cornhole Tournament Meet Devin at the Rec. Hall to play a fun game of cornhole. Come and go as you please until 12pm. or Hike to the Base of Fall Creek Falls Meet Courtney at the Main Overlook of Fall Creek Falls for a short but strenuous hike to the bottom of the falls. Along the way, we will discuss our park s forest ecology and geology. or Campfire Meet Jonathan at Picnic Shelter #3 (at the George Hole) to learn about fire building, park history, native wildlife, and more! Be sure to bring your roasting sticks and marshmallows. Friday, June 19 th 9:00am Beaver Lodge Hike Meet Courtney at the Youth Camp 2 gate for a hike to the Beaver Lodge. We will view and discuss beaver activity along the trail and get up close to a beaver lodge. This is a moderate hike, so bring along plenty of water and wear sturdy shoes. 10:15am Edible/Medicinal Plant Hike Meet Jonathan at the Nature Center for a short hike discussing some of the historical importance of our native plants. Bouldering Basics Meet Logan at the Rec. Hall to learn some basic bouldering techniques. Pine Cone Spiders Meet Logan at the Rec. Hall to make spiders out of pine cones. Pontoon Boat Tour Meet Jon at the Boat Dock for a pontoon boat tour around the lake. There is a limit of 8 Insects of the Dark Meet Jonathan at the Nature Center to discover what types of six-legged creatures patrol in the night. Pontoon Boat Tour Meet Jon at the Boat Dock for a pontoon boat tour around the lake. There is a limit of 8 3:15pm Trash Table Meet Courtney at the lobby of the Inn to talk trash. We will discuss how to properly dispose of waste and what you can do to help keep the park clean. Creek Critters Meet Jonathan at the Nature Center to explore the park s underwater environment. Be sure to wear shoes that you can get wet.
6:45pm Cornhole Tournament Meet Logan at the Rec. Hall to play a fun game of cornhole. The Heavens Above! Would you like to learn about the night sky, the use of telescopes, star wheels, and binoculars, and why the seasons occur? Join us at the lobby of the Fall Creek Falls Inn for a short trip to the telescope viewing area to learn about all of these things and observe distant galaxies, planets, exploding stars, and beautiful star fields through several large telescopes. Thanks to the members of the Astronomy in the Parks Society for providing this program. Saturday, June 20 th Make an Owl Join Jonathan at the Rec. Hall to learn about and make your own owl with materials provided. 10:45am 12:45pm 1:00pm Invasive Hop Meet Jonathan at the Rec. Hall to learn about and play a game of how invasive species take over native species. Trash Table Meet Courtney at the George Hole to talk trash. We will discuss how to properly dispose of waste and what you can do to help keep the park clean. Solar Viewing Meet at the Fall Creek Falls Inn to view Sol, our own life giving star, through a specially designed telescope. Viewing will last until. Pontoon Boat Tour Meet Jon at the Boat Dock for a pontoon boat tour around the lake. There is a limit of 8 2:00pm 2:15pm Lakeside Hike to Fall Creek Falls Meet Logan at the lobby of the Inn for a moderate 4-mile, roundtrip hike on a paved trail to the top of Fall Creek Falls. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with some of our park s native plants and animals and learn about the park s history. Tie-Dye Meet the Friends of Fall Creek Falls at the Rec. Hall to brighten up your wardrobe! There will be a fee of $1 per person, or $5 if you wish to purchase a white shirt from the Friends. Cash only can be accepted. Snake Show Meet Courtney at the Nature Center to get up close and personal with some of the park s more elusive residents. Pontoon Boat Tour Meet Jon at the Boat Dock for a pontoon boat tour around the lake. There is a limit of 8 6:45pm Hey Deer! Meet Jonathan at the Rec. Hall to learn about White Tailed Deer. The Heavens Above! Would you like to learn about the night sky, the use of telescopes, star wheels, and binoculars, and why the seasons occur? Join us at the lobby of the Fall Creek Falls Inn for a short trip to the telescope viewing area to learn about all of these things and observe distant galaxies, planets, exploding stars, and beautiful star fields through several large telescopes. Thanks to the members of the Astronomy in the Parks Society for providing this program. 7:30pm Live Musical Entertainment Meet at the Rec. Hall for an evening filled with musical entertainment provided by Just Country. Admission is $3; kids 6 and under are free.
Sunday, June 21 st 9:00am Paw Paw Trail Meet Jonathan at the Nature Center for a moderate hike along the Paw Paw Trail. This will be a good time to view some trees, birds, and other interesting sights. Bring along plenty of water. Bean Animal Meet Courtney at the Rec. Hall to create an animal using beans. Skull ID Meet Jonathan at the Nature Center to learn what our local critters have in their heads. Pontoon Boat Tour Meet Cara at the Boat Dock for a pontoon boat tour around the lake. There is a limit of 8 2:00pm Birds of Prey Meet Courtney at the Rec. Hall to learn about our state s raptors. Pontoon Boat Tour Meet Cara at the Boat Dock for a pontoon boat tour around the lake. There is a limit of 8 3:15pm Photography Lessons Join Jonathan at the Nature Center to learn how to take pictures of flowers and waters or whatever you see. Bring a camera and we will practice key techniques to capture an image you would love to keep. Billiards Tournament Meet Courtney at the Rec. Hall to participate in a pool tourney. Cool Nature Fact Did you know that the last star in the handle of the Little Dipper is Polaris, the North Star? From our perspective, this star stays in the same location in the sky year round because it is in line with the Earth s axis. It can be easily located in the night sky by lining up the two stars in the pan of the Big Dipper that are farthest from the handle. They serve as a pointer that can direct you to Polaris, which was a very important star for early navigation. The night sky is among the many topics discussed in the Fall Creek Falls 2½-day or 5-day Environmental Education Program for school groups. For more information, contact Ranger Matt Brown at matthew.brown@tn.gov. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Authorization No. 327158, February 2015