Laurel Run Waterfall Trail Reopens with New Bridge

Hawkins County receives state tourism grants to build pedestrian crossing over river.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 4:23pm

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The Laurel Run Park waterfall trail in Hawkins County, Tennessee has reopened with a new 40-foot long, 6.5-foot wide pedestrian bridge. Previously, hikers had to cross a river to access the falls, which became dangerous after heavy rain. The Hawkins County Board of Commissioners secured two grants from the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development to purchase the bridge materials and fund its construction.

Why it matters

The new bridge improves accessibility and safety for visitors to the popular Laurel Run Park waterfall, which is also part of a partnership to connect the park with nearby Kingsport's Bays Mountain Park trail system.

The details

The Hawkins County Parks Director said that when asked, the majority of Laurel Run Park attendees said they wanted a bridge over the creek to access the waterfall. The first $100,000 grant in 2024 paid for the bridge materials, while a second $100,000 grant in late 2025 covered the construction costs. Kingsport also contributed $5,000 as the local match for the 2024 tourism grant.

  • The trail closed for construction earlier this month.
  • The Laurel Run Park Facebook page posted about the trail's reopening on Wednesday.

The players

Hawkins County Board of Commissioners

The county government body that secured the state tourism grants to build the new pedestrian bridge at Laurel Run Park.

Tennessee Department of Tourism Development

The state agency that awarded two $100,000 grants to Hawkins County to fund the materials and construction of the new bridge at Laurel Run Park.

Kingsport

The city that contributed $5,000 as the local match for the 2024 tourism grant, as part of a partnership to connect Laurel Run Park with Kingsport's Bays Mountain Park trail system.

John Young

The Hawkins County Parks Director who said the majority of Laurel Run Park attendees wanted a bridge over the creek to access the waterfall.

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What they’re saying

“When I asked Laurel Run Park attendees what would benefit them the most at the park, the vast majority said they wanted a bridge at the creek.”

— John Young, Hawkins County Parks Director

The takeaway

The new pedestrian bridge at Laurel Run Park improves accessibility and safety for visitors to the popular waterfall, while also strengthening the connection between the park and the broader regional trail network in partnership with Kingsport.