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Ozone Falls State Natural Area is a protected natural site located in Cumberland County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. Encompassing approximately 43 acres, the area is centered around the breathtaking Ozone Falls, a 110-foot plunge waterfall that cascades into a scenic gorge carved by Fall Creek. Known for its striking beauty and convenient roadside access, the falls gained national attention when Disney selected the location for scenes in the live-action film Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. The natural area is managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, maintained by Cumberland Mountain State Park, and forms part of Cumberland Trail State Park.
Geographical Setting
Ozone Falls lies along Fall Creek, which drains a section of the Cumberland Plateau situated between the Crab Orchard Mountains to the west and Walden Ridge to the east. The creek begins high within the Crab Orchard Mountains and flows for roughly a mile before leveling as it passes through the community of Ozone. Shortly after crossing beneath U.S. Route 70, the stream enters the protected natural area and plunges dramatically over Ozone Falls just south of the highway.
After descending the falls, Fall Creek cuts through a narrow gorge and continues southward for several miles before joining Piney Creek. This confluence occurs at the meeting point of Roane, Cumberland, and Rhea counties, placing Fall Creek within the Tennessee River watershed.
It is important to note that this Fall Creek is separate from the stream that forms Fall Creek Falls in Van Buren County, which belongs instead to the Cumberland River watershed.
Natural Features
The Ozone Falls State Natural Area includes both the waterfall and the gorge extending downstream from it. The gorge surrounding the plunge pool slopes inward, forming a distinctive half-dome shape along the rock walls. Several short hiking trails provide visitors access to viewpoints above the gorge, the waterfall’s overhang, and the base near the plunge pool. The trailhead is conveniently located along U.S. Route 70, making the site easily accessible to travelers and hikers alike.
Historical Background
Ozone Falls has been admired for centuries. Early 19th-century migrants crossing the Cumberland Plateau toward the Nashville region frequently described the waterfall in journals and letters home. At the time, the falls stood beside Walton Road, a major stage route linking East and Middle Tennessee and closely aligned with today’s U.S. Route 70.
In 1806, traveler Elijah Haley died while passing through the region. Soon afterward, his widow established a tavern nearby in what later became the community of Ozone. She would later assist in operating the Crab Orchard Inn several miles west.
Throughout the 19th century, the waterfall was known as McNair Falls, named for a local miller who operated a grist mill there during the 1860s. In 1896, the surrounding settlement of Mammy adopted the name Ozone, reflecting the area’s fresh, clean air—often attributed to the cooling mist generated by the falls. The new name was eventually applied to the waterfall itself.
The state officially established Ozone Falls State Natural Area in 1973 with an initial size of 14 acres. In 1996, the protected land expanded to its current 43 acres, ensuring long-term preservation of one of Tennessee’s most picturesque natural landmarks.
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