See one of Florida’s fabulous but little known waterfalls on a short walk just north of Lake City.
Take a quick detour from I-10 to see a spectacular root-beer-colored cascade, which plummets more than 10 feet over a deep lip of limestone and flows away over limestone boulders at the bottom of a ravine.
Falling Creek Falls was the site of the first settlement in this area, and this short accessible boardwalk trail offers easy access to the scenic view.
Resources
Overview
Location: Lake City
Length: 0.6 mile loop and spur
Trailhead: 30.257817, -82.668633
Fees / Permits: Free
Restroom: Yes
Land Manager: Suwannee River Water Management District
Phone: 386-362-1001
Dogs are not permitted.
There are restrooms, picnic tables and a playground at the trailhead, as well as several historic structures from the original settlement of Falling Creek.
Directions
From I-10 exit 301 drive north on US 41; immediately turn right on Falling Creek Rd (CR 131) and drive 0.8 mile to the trailhead parking area on the right.
Dogs are not permitted.
It’s a short stroll from the trailhead through an open meadow into the lush woods surrounding Falling Creek, a tributary of the Suwannee River. A well-built boardwalk winds through a floodplain forest of bald cypress, sweetgum, and magnolia.
You hear the falls well before you see them. At not quite 1/4 mile, you reach an observation platform overlooking the burbling tannic water.
Stand and enjoy the cool rush of air and the ambiance of one of Florida’s rare natural waterfalls before you continue to the end of the boardwalk for a pretty picture – the waterfall framed by the forest.
Return along the boardwalk, and turn left at the junction with the boardwalk you saw coming in.
The boardwalk ends and drops you down on a trail in an upland forest, upstream from the falls, where you’ll hear the burble of water through rocky rapids.
The footpath affords a few views of the waterway before it turns away and heads deeper into the woods.
Emerging in an open grassy area, it swings right and drops you off at the children’s playground and restrooms at one end of the parking area.
Trail Map
Explore More
Slideshow
See our slides of Falling Creek Falls
Nearby Hikes
Other fascinating geologic features nearby
Disappearing Creek at Camp Branch
On the Disappearing Creek Loop off the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River, watch Camp Branch burble through rapids and cascade into a giant sinkhole
Florida Trail, Bell Springs to Big Shoals
4.6 miles. Showcasing Florida’s only Class III whitewater and other spectacular geologic features, this is one of the most scenic segments of the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River.
Official Website
Is this area prone to ticks?
Anywhere along the Suwannee River basin is fair game for ticks. Always worth wearing light colored pants and spraying repellent for ticks on shoes, socks, lower legs.
Is it known for ticks would be a better question. We are from up North in much and didn’t prepare for hiking but might like to see the falls
The good news: it’s been cold so they should be torpid or dead. Just avoid the area April-June when ticks hatch. This time of year is the best time to avoid ticks. Anywhere in Florida can have ticks, but we’ve seen more along the Suwannee than most places.
Will I be able to get in this place on Thanksgiving coming from lower Florida
As long as it isn’t flooded, it is open daily.
Please note that no dogs are allowed!
That’s new. Thanks for the heads up.