Tennessee Day Trip: Rock Island State Park

Tennessee's Rock Island State Park is located at the headwaters of Center Hill Lake at Walling, Tennessee, at the confluence of the Caney Fork, Collins, and Rocky Rivers.  Walling is at the intersection of Highway 287 and Highway 136 between Sparta and McMinnville.

Great Falls at Rock Island State Park

The 883-acre park is in the Caney Fork Gorge below Great Falls Dam.  Great Falls is a 30-foot horseshoe cascading waterfall once powered a 19th century cotton textile mill more than 100 years ago.  The park features scenic overlooks, waterfalls, deep pools, hiking paths, swimming (natural sand beach), fishing, kayaking, exploring, and boating access to Center Hill Lake.  

You know that we never overlook at good place to eat.  One of Tennessee finest restaurants is located on the bluff overlooking the Caney Fork River--the Foglight Foodhouse.  We've eaten here three times and it would have been more except for the distance from White House, about 120 miles.

Foghouse owner/chef Edward Philpot attracts diners from all over Tennessee who think the drive is worth it.  Edward prepares some of the best Cajun food you'll ever eat, but his menu includes a variety of American dishes including steak, fish, chicken, pasta, vegetables, and desserts.  His desserts are made fresh daily.  The latest one we enjoyed was chocolate-raspberry bread pudding. Yum!.http://foglight-foodhouse.com/


Take this day trip.  You'll be glad you did.  Walling is easily accessed from Cookeville, McMinnville, Sparta, or Smithville.  If you plan to eat at Foghouse Foodhouse, remember it's only open for dinner and opens at 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday thru Thursday and 5-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.  They are closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations are not required. It's located on Powerhouse Road, just off Hwy. 136 a few hundred yards north of the Caney Fork River bridge.