The Eagle Falls Trail is across the Edward Moss Gatling Memorial Bridge. There is a small parking area, but we found a bigger one just a short distance up the road that was an open paved area with billboard advertising along the edge. The trail follows the Cumberland River across from the park and gives a different view of the big falls. The roar of the falls is louder on this side as you pass by rock walls that echo it. The side trail for the base of Eagle Falls is not well marked, which means you might walk right by the turnoff. We missed it and realized it further down the path and had to backtrack. The turnoff is a sharp right around some rocks with two sets of stairs down to a boulder-strewn beach. It’s on the map, but it isn’t marked on the trail itself, so you have to watch for it. I would definitely recommend buying the larger park map (only $1 at the camp store) as there is more detail on it. It didn’t help us with yesterday’s hike, but it did with this one.

I am fascinated by the Big Leaf Magnolia tree. The seeds get scattered and grow all over, but actual big trees are not easily seen along trails. They grow really fast; we have seen 20-foot trees that are just an inch or two in diameter. The well-established trees seemed to sprout in a clump with several trees growing together. I read that the blossoms are enormous, 12 inches across and the fruits are bright red. We aren’t here at the right time to see these. Future trip!