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State Natural Area · Plateau Tennessee
Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area
Van Buren County and Bledsoe County: 16,181 acres of state natural area under the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Photo: AppalachianCentrist (CC BY-SA 4.0)
What to know about Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area
The natural area covering most of Fall Creek Falls State Park in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties (resort facilities excluded), with gorges, waterfalls and pine-hardwood plateau forest.
How hunting works here: TWRA's SNA list says statewide seasons, but TDEC lists hunting under 'specific regulations' and the surrounding state park is hunted as Fall Creek Falls WMA with sign-in and check-in at park headquarters; check the park's huntable lands map before hunting.
The parent area is Fall Creek Falls State Park; its rules cover this ground as well.
Species open on Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area include deer, turkey and small game. Van Buren County holds the bulk of the area and falls in deer Unit 3.
The managing agency’s page for Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area carries the map, dates and permit details.
What to pack for Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area
Four items worth checking before this hunt, from the deer rifle hunting list.
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Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area seasons and rules for 2026-27
Listed species and the 2026-27 statewide seasons, followed by county-level rules.
Deer
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Aug 28, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Turkey
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Sep 26, 2026 to May 16, 2027. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Small game
Under statewide rules the 2026-27 seasons fall between Aug 22, 2026 to Jun 13, 2027. Covers squirrel, rabbit and other small game where the area allows them. This area’s own dates may be narrower than that.
Deer limits in Unit 3
Archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle, gun and Young Sportsman hunters may each take 3 antlerless deer per day here. The August hunt has no antlerless allowance. Bucks: 1 per day and 2 per season under statewide rules.
Blaze orange rule
Outside archery-only and turkey hunts, big game hunters need 500 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink on the head and upper body.
Statewide dates and limits from the 2026-27 TWRA hunting guide, checked October 9, 2026. Each WMA has its own dates and rules in the guide; the area listing wins where it differs.
In season at Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area today
Van Buren County is in bear hunting zone BHZ4. Private land baiting is allowed in Van Buren County with the bait license.
- Deer
- Turkey
- Ducks
- Waterfowl
- Canada goose
- White-fronted goose
- Brant
- Light geese
- Dove
- Woodcock
- Snipe
- Rails (virginia, sora)
- Gallinule and moorhen
- Crow
- Squirrel
- Rabbit
- Quail
- Grouse
- RaccoonYear-round
- Opossum
- CoyoteYear-round
- Bobcat
- Bear
- Feral hogYear-round
TWRA 2026-27 guide, checked October 9, 2026.
Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area map and neighboring areas
Look for the orange marker for Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area, an approximate center drawn from the TWRA hunting map. Gold points show the other public land within about 70 miles. For supplies, the nearest towns are Spencer (7 mi), Pikeville (11 mi), Sparta (19 mi).
Fall Creek Falls State Park
In Bledsoe County and Van Buren County, roughly 4 miles off as the crow flies. About 20,000 acres.
Bledsoe State Forest
In Bledsoe County and Cumberland County, roughly 7 miles off as the crow flies. About 8,289 acres.
Big Bottom Unit, Bridgestone Firestone WMA
In Van Buren County and White County, roughly 8 miles off as the crow flies.
Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness WMA
In White County and Van Buren County, roughly 9 miles off as the crow flies. About 17,000 acres.
Scott's Gulf Centennial Wilderness State Park PHA
In White County and Van Buren County, roughly 11 miles off as the crow flies. About 6,500 acres.
Processors, taxidermists and shops near Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area
Listings from Van Buren County and Bledsoe County and the counties that border it.
Distances are straight-line estimates. Hours change by season, so call ahead. Full services directory.
Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area area deer harvest by county
These are whole-county totals, not harvest from this area by itself. Of 95 counties, Van Buren ranks #66 for reported deer.
| County | Deer 2023-24 | Deer 2024-25 | Deer 2025-26 | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Buren County | 1,073 | 1,386 | 1,214 | #66 of 95 |
| Bledsoe County | 1,171 | 1,293 | 1,277 | #61 of 95 |
Total reported deer harvest by county, WMA harvest included, from TWRA Hunter’s Toolbox reports. Seasons run July 1 to June 30.
Hunting Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area: questions
How do I find Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area?
The area is in Plateau Tennessee, in Van Buren County and Bledsoe County. Maps and access points are on the official area page.
How big is Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area?
The managing agency gives 16,181 acres as its size.
What game is open on Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area?
Deer, turkey and small game. The area sets its own dates for each, sometimes tighter than the statewide ones.
Is a special permit required on Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area?
TWRA's SNA list says statewide seasons, but TDEC lists hunting under 'specific regulations' and the surrounding state park is hunted as Fall Creek Falls WMA with sign-in and check-in at park headquarters; check the park's huntable lands map before hunting. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation runs Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area, so its page lists any area permit. A valid Tennessee license is required either way.
Is Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area a quota hunt area?
Not in the current guide. Quota hunts can be added, so look at the listing every year.
What deer unit covers Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area?
Deer limits come from Unit 3, which covers Van Buren County. Three antlerless a day is the cap across Young Sportsman, archery, muzzleloader, straight-wall rifle and gun hunts, with no antlerless deer in the August hunt.
Can I bait or move whole carcasses from Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area?
As of 2026-27, Van Buren County is not a CWD county and is not in the Management Zone.
What public hunting land is close to Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area?
Nearest on this site: Fall Creek Falls State Park (about 4 miles), Bledsoe State Forest (about 7 miles) and Big Bottom Unit, Bridgestone Firestone WMA (about 8 miles).
Is there a deer processor near Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area?
Processors listed nearby include Oakes Processing, P3 Custom Meats and Ross Custom Slaughtering. Hours shift with the season, so call before heading in.
How do I check in a deer or turkey?
By midnight on the day it is taken, using the TWRA On The Go app, the website or a check station, and always before it leaves Tennessee.
Plan a hunt on Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area
Seasons, limits and area rules change every year. Check the 2026-27 TWRA guide and the Fall Creek Falls State Natural Area listing before you go.