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Short Springs Natural Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,071 Google reviews · Running trail in Tullahoma, Tennessee · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Short Springs Natural Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

LoopScenicHillyTrailhead parkingMile markersQuiet

Well-known locale featuring scenic waterfalls & nature trails in tranquil surroundings.

What runners say about Short Springs Natural Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,071 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“This area was so beautiful and well kept.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 20 mentions

“The wildflower path is beautiful Ive taken my children more times than I can count.”

🪧 well-marked 3 mentions

“Well-marked paths with a decent elevation gain and pretty accurate mileage on AllTrails.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“Not crowded at 10 am on a Friday.”

A great hike - especially if you have dogs! Not crowded at 10 am on a Friday. There are about 30-35 parking spaces available. Well marked trails. Some steep areas but us old folks did just fine! The falls were dry but we'll be back in the Spring when they're sure to be running!

★★★★★ — Jan , Nov 2025

So gorgeous!! Well-marked paths with a decent elevation gain and pretty accurate mileage on AllTrails. The waterfalls were gorgeous on the loop we hiked, particularly Machine Falls. Overall, a beautiful park that was well worth the one hour drive! Would definitely recommend.

★★★★★ — Morgan , Jun 2025

Didn’t have our hiking shoes and had our pups with us. So we hiked to the Machine Falls overlook. Beautiful! Next time we’ll go down to bottom. Lots of undergrowth along the trail, so be watchful of poison oak and ivy. Parking is limited.

★★★★★ — Lee , Jun 2025

We got to the parking lot around 9:30am on a Thursday. There were a few cars there but leaving around 2 or 3 the parking lot was full. According to posted sign, if the lot is full keep going. The loop for the waterfalls was good. There's not a lot to see except for the waterfalls.

★★★★★ — Cindy , Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,071 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 35 mentions

“lovely hike with views of a waterfall ☺️ i found some parts of the trail a little challenging.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 11 mentions

“Well-marked paths with a decent elevation gain and pretty accurate mileage on AllTrails.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 11 mentions

“This natural area is very popular so don't be surprised if the parking lot is full on a weekend or holiday.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Not crowded at 10 am on a Friday.”

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🔁 Loop trail 5 mentions

“The waterfalls were gorgeous on the loop we hiked, particularly Machine Falls.”

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📏 Mile markers 3 mentions

“Well-marked paths with a decent elevation gain and pretty accurate mileage on AllTrails.”

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Plan your run at Short Springs Natural Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitetn.gov
  • Phone+1 615-532-0436

Hours

Monday 8 am–5 pm
Tuesday 8 am–5 pm
Wednesday 8 am–5 pm
Thursday 8 am–5 pm
Friday 8 am–5 pm
Saturday 8 am–5 pm
Sunday 8 am–5 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Short Springs Natural Area

200 Short Springs Rd, Tullahoma, TN 37388

Get directions

Running trails near Tullahoma

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Busby Falls

4.8 ★★★★★ 43 reviews

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under a mile away

Short Springs Trailhead

4.5 ★★★★★ 10 reviews

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Loop

under a mile away

Adams Falls

3.2 ★★★☆☆ 9 reviews

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under a mile away

East Park Arboretum

4.6 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

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2.9 miles away

Frazier McEwen Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 110 reviews

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ShadedScenic

Greenway access, a playground, and picnic areas highlight this city park.

4.0 miles away

Rock Creek Greenway

4 ★★★★☆ 4 reviews

Tullahoma, TN

4.0 miles away

All running trails in Tullahoma, TN →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.