Covering thousands of acres, Fall Creek Falls State Park offers all sorts of outdoor recreation, from hiking and swimming to wilderness camping. The main attraction is without doubt the park’s namesake waterfall—the highest free-falling cataract east of the Mississippi River. Cascading 256 feet into Cane Creek, Fall Creek Falls is a dramatic natural wonder, easily accessed from a parking lot near the top of the falls. A short trail leads from the plateau to the base of the gorge, where visitors can jump into a cool plunge pool under the waterfall. Even if you don’t feel like swimming, the mist from the falls provides a natural cooling effect for those who make the journey to the bottom.