Tumblin' Fun Falls

11-14-05  I'm still not sure if Tumblin' Fun Falls is on private or public lands. You can get to the waterfall by bushwhacking through national forest, but the easiest way is through private property. My only visit was in August 2003 - I've been meaning to get back, but still haven't. The river level was high the time we went and it rained hard on the way adding to the gush. First, where is Tumbin' Fun? Get out your Cashiers quad topo map, locate the Thompson River and find the point where it crosses Hwy 281. Follow the river down to the word 'Thompson'. At this point, Mill Creek joins Thompson River from the left. The waterfall is up creek from there. You can see the elevation lines get closer together. If you keep following Mill Creek to the SW, it will cross 281 just above John's Jump. So I guess you could park at John's Jump and follow Mill Creek to the top of Tumblin' Fun Falls, but I'm not sure if any of that is private property.

Harry and I tried following Thompson River up from High Falls, but were met with 'No Trespassing' signs. This used to be Sweetwater Trout Farm, but now belongs to someone else. If you cross the Thompson safely above High Falls, you'll be on national forest property. Use your topo map and compass to manuever around or over the ridges to the waterfall. Some of the north side of Mill Creek is private, and you may find a rope leading to a close-up viewing area of the upper section of the falls.

back to the Thompson River page