After an absence of several years, I visited Short Springs State Natural Area, located near Tullahoma, in mid-February.
The 420-acre natural area is situated in the transition zone between the Highland Rim and the Central Basin, a fact reflected in its geology and vegetation. It’s known as one of the best spring wildflower locations in Tennessee, featuring trout lilies, Virginia bluebells, Dutchman’s breeches, trilliums, and others.
The primary destination for most visitors is the very picturesque Machine Falls, reached most directly by a 1.2-mile round trip hike.
Before Normandy Dam was built, the park’s namesake, Short Springs, was the water supply for Tullahoma.
Over the years since its designation as a state natural area in 1994, several new trail routes have been added to Short Springs, currently totaling approximately 5 miles. I’ve not hiked the Laurel Bluff Trail, a 1.4-mile loop, or the 1.1-mile Adams Falls Trail loop. On this visit, I hiked in on the Busby Falls Trail and returned via the newer section of the Machine Falls Loop, which follows close to the creek for a ways before climbing out, for a total of approximately 2 miles. The most rugged part of the hike is a section where the trail drops about 100 feet in elevation shortly before reaching Machine Falls. Though I believe improvements have been made to that section since the early days when I first visited.
Short Springs State Natural Area is a very popular place. Parking, across the road from a big water tower, is rather limited, and it’s against the rules to park in an undesignated area. So, I would strongly advise you to plan your visit on a cold day, during the week, or at the very least, early in the morning. And certainly not on a holiday weekend.
More information, including directions and trail map.
Search Short Springs State Natural Area on Google Maps.
Text and photos by Bob Butters