💦🐾 Triple Waterfall Hike at Short Springs with Simba the Adventure Pup! Tullahoma, TN 🌳🏞️

Hey trail fam! Ash here — and Simba the Adventure Pup and I are back with a waterfall-packed adventure in one of Middle Tennessee’s hidden gems: Short Springs State Natural Area in Tullahoma! 🐶💦🌲

This loop trail took us to not one… not two… but three gorgeous waterfalls — all in a shady, dog-friendly forest that felt like something out of a storybook. 📚✨

Whether you're chasing plunging falls, peaceful cascades, or just looking for a nature escape with your pup, this hike is for you!

📍 Trail Details

Location: Short Springs State Natural Area – Tullahoma, TN
Route: Machine Falls ➡️ Adams Falls ➡️ Busby Falls ➕ Laurel Bluff Trail
Distance: ~4.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate (some stairs, roots & stream crossings)
Dog-Friendly: Absolutely! Simba gives it all the paws 🐾🐾🐾🐾
Highlights: 3 waterfalls, fern-lined trails, cool creek breezes 💧🌿

🥾 The Loop Hike

We started early and followed a counter-clockwise loop that included:

💦 Machine Falls

The star of the show! This iconic Tennessee waterfall drops about 60 feet into a lush, shaded gorge. The descent to the base is a bit steep — but so worth it for the view. Simba loved the splash zone at the bottom (and I did too). 🐶🌊

🌊 Adams Falls

Next up, we followed the Adams Falls Trail for a peaceful walk to a gentle cascade tucked into the hillside. Less dramatic than Machine Falls, but super serene and a great spot for a quick pup water break.

🍃 Busby Falls

The final falls in our loop — Busby Falls flows down through a rocky slope surrounded by moss and shady trees. It’s a bit hidden, but once you hear it, just follow your ears!

We connected it all via the Laurel Bluff Trail, which follows the edge of the bluff with forest views and plenty of shade. Simba trotted happily the entire way, taking breaks for sips of stream water and leafy sniff sessions. 🐕🌿💧

🐶 Trail Tips for Dog Parents

✔️ Leash required — there are steep edges and narrow spots
✔️ Bring water for you and your pup — and maybe a towel too! 💦
✔️ Non-slip trail shoes = helpful for creek crossings 🥾
✔️ The trail is mostly shaded, but gets buggy in summer — bring spray!
✔️ Some parts can be muddy, especially after rain — we embraced it 😂

🚐 RV Travel Tips

• No camping at Short Springs, but there are great RV park options nearby in Tullahoma and Manchester
• Ideal as a half-day hike while traveling between Nashville and Chattanooga
• Plenty of free day parking at the trailhead — just arrive early on weekends to beat the crowd!

🎥 Watch the Full Adventure!


In this week’s video, we:

🎬 Hike the full loop through all 3 falls
🐾 Show Simba’s favorite splash spots
📸 Highlight trail features and tips for making the most of your visit

👉 Subscribe for weekly golden retriever-approved trails, RV stays, and scenic escapes
📲 Follow along at @lifeonpawsandwheels

✨ Why We Loved It

✔️ THREE waterfalls in one trip?! Yes please 🙌
✔️ Lush, shady forest the entire way 🌳
✔️ Dog-friendly and full of sensory fun for pups
✔️ A great mix of relaxing strolls and mini-adventures
✔️ Machine Falls is straight-up postcard worthy 🖼️

If you're road-tripping through Tennessee or just looking for your next dog-friendly hike, Short Springs is a must! Add this one to your waterfall bucket list. 🐾💦🍃

Until next time — happy trails, splashy paws, and trailhead tail wags!
– Ash & Simba 🌲🐶

Location: Tullahoma, TN, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hiking Fork Ridge Overlook to Waterrock Knob with Simba the Adventure Pup!

Image
Hey friends! Ash here from Life on Paws and Wheels, and today Simba (my golden retriever and trail-loving sidekick) and I are taking you on one of the most breathtaking hikes we’ve tackled on the Blue Ridge Parkway: the trail from Fork Ridge Overlook to Waterrock Knob in North Carolina! If you’re chasing big mountain views, cool breezes, and unforgettable overlooks, this moderately challenging hike is a Blue Ridge Parkway gem you’ll want to add to your list. 🗺️ About the Trail This ~2.4-mile roundtrip hike begins at Fork Ridge Overlook (milepost 435) and takes you up to the famous Waterrock Knob. Along the way, you’ll traverse forested ridges, rocky sections, and steep inclines — but trust me, the views from the top are 100% worth it. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping, panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains. On a clear day, you can see for miles, and the cool mountain air makes it a refreshing spot to rest, snap photos, and just take it all...
Read more

Hiking the Cat Gap Trail to John Rock Loop with Simba the Adventure Pup!

Image
Hey friends! Ash here from Life on Paws and Wheels, bringing you another pawsome adventure from the road. This time, Simba (my golden retriever and trail-loving sidekick) and I tackled the Cat Gap Trail to John Rock Loop in beautiful Brevard, North Carolina — a challenging but totally rewarding hike in the heart of Pisgah National Forest. If you love summit views, lush forest trails, and dog-friendly adventures, this iconic North Carolina loop hike definitely belongs on your bucket list! 🗺️ About the Cat Gap Trail to John Rock Loop This ~5-mile loop hike is rated moderate to strenuous thanks to some steep climbs and rocky sections, but don’t let that scare you off — the payoff at the top is spectacular. The trail winds through gorgeous forest, follows babbling streams, and eventually brings you to the John Rock summit: a massive granite outcrop with breathtaking panoramic views over the Pisgah mountains, Looking Glass Rock, and the surrounding wilderness. 🐾 Hiking with Simba: Dog-Fri...
Read more

Discovering Wintergreen Falls with Simba the Adventure Pup!

Image
Hey friends! Ash here from Life on Paws and Wheels, back with another gorgeous, dog-friendly hike from the road. This time, Simba (my golden retriever and adventure sidekick) and I explored the Wintergreen Falls Trail in Penrose, North Carolina — a hidden gem tucked inside the beautiful DuPont State Recreational Forest. If you love forest trails, peaceful waterfalls, and hiking with your pup, this one needs to be on your list! 🗺️ About the Wintergreen Falls Trail The Wintergreen Falls Trail is about a 3.1-mile roundtrip hike that leads you through lush forest to the peaceful and picturesque Wintergreen Falls. This trail is rated easy to moderate — it’s mostly gentle terrain with just a few mild inclines, making it a great option for casual hikers, families, and dogs. Along the way, you’ll enjoy shaded paths, serene woodland vibes, and the sound of rushing water as you get closer to the falls. At the endpoint, you’re rewarded with a beautiful view of Wintergreen Falls: a 20-foot cascad...
Read more