Winding Stairs Park

The Winding Stairs Park is about an hour northeast of Nashville in Lafayette, Tennessee.  Its highlight is a winding waterfall that is a bit like a mini-canyon.  Families can splash around in the both the Canyon and the river below it.  There are a few trails - but it's easiest to go right from the parking lot to the "Cascades" (red) trail and then make a loop by returning on the "Red Oak" (blue) trail.  That makes for about a 1.7mile loop hike but it's steeper so it may take smaller kids more time than you think.  The creek about half way on the 1.7 mile loop is pure magic - loads of place to play and plenty of spots to have a picnic / snack.  There is an option to go down the very steep "Jacob's Ladder" but we did not.

If you do not want to hike, but you want to play in the waterfall, head directly left from the fork on the trail past the parking lot and follow the creek to the top of the waterfal (you will get there within 5-10 minutes).  It is very accessible but very slippery.  There are parts where I had to help my kids up / down because of the size of the rocks.

At the parking lot are covered picnic tables and a bathroom.  Visitors may want to take a picture of the map at the trail head as the trail is well-marked but I found it a bit confusing since you are likely going to switch trails.  

On a Saturday in June, we passed only 2 other families.