Six of the Best Waterfalls in Tennessee
From the breathtaking 256-foot drop of Fall Creek Falls to the hidden wonder of Ozone Falls, these are the best waterfalls in Tennessee.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- Fall Creek Falls
- Burgess Falls
- Cummins Falls
- Blue Hole Falls
- Ozone Falls
- Twin Falls
- How to find affordable car insurance in Tennessee
- FAQs
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Walk long enough in eastern Tennessee’s craggy limestone hills, and you’re bound to come across a waterfall. But among the most spectacular of Tennessee's hundreds of waterfalls are Fall Creek Falls, Burgess Falls, and Cummins Falls.
From the Great Smoky Mountains to the Chickasaw Bluff,
Tennessee
is a great place to hike—but some of the state’s best hikes take you down thundering river gorges and past towering waterfalls. To help you explore Tennessee's most beautiful spots,
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Fall Creek Falls
Height: 256 feet
Hiking distance: 2.4 miles
Hiking difficulty: Moderate
The highest free-falling waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains is the namesake of
Fall Creek Falls State Park
—but it’s just one of four waterfalls within the park’s 29,800 acres. Take Highway 111 or Highway 30 to enter the park, where you can camp, visit the Nature Center, golf on one of Tennessee’s most beautiful courses, or hike to the base of the falls. Things to do near Fall Creek Falls
Stop by the
Old Times Cafe
in nearby Spencer
for some old-fashioned comfort food before or after your hike. Burgess Falls
Height: 136 feet
Hiking distance: 1.5 miles
Hiking difficulty: Moderate to high
Northwest of
Sparta
is Burgess Falls State Park
, where you can follow the south bank of a rocky gorge cut by Falling Water River. The trail passes a series of four waterfalls, each higher and more spectacular than the last, and ends at an observation deck overlooking the highest falls. Things to do near Burgess Falls
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, head up to Window Cliffs State Natural Area for a strenuous 5.4-mile round trip through the 274-acre nature preserve for a glimpse of a rugged natural stone bridge over Caney Creek. Or, if you just want to kick back with a cold drink after your trek to the falls, check out
Calfkiller Brewery
in nearby Sparta. Cummins Falls
Height: 75 feet
Hiking distance: 1 to 1.5 miles
Hiking difficulty: High
Cummins Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Tennessee, plunges 75 feet down two steep drops into a deep swimming hole in the heart of the rocky Tennessee hills. However, you’ll need
an access permit
to enter the gorge and hike to the falls—and it’s not recommended to bring kids under 5. Things to do near Cummins Falls
Just south of the park,
Cookeville
is home to antique malls, a historic railroad museum
, and a history museum
. If you’re a fan of the old and the educational, it’s worth the 19-minute drive. Pro Tip Keep in mind that rising water can make hiking near rivers dangerous! Whenever you’re hiking near Tennessee’s waterfalls, it’s a good idea to check weather updates and park information.
Blue Hole Falls
Height: 30 feet
Hiking distance: 1.4 miles
Hiking difficulty: Easy to moderate
Blue Hole Falls is just one of the waterfalls that surround the
Old Stone Fort
, an Indigenous site built over 1,500 years ago on a peninsula off the Duck River. Limestone cliffs and gorges in the area send the river churning down steep drops that once powered mills in the area. Things to do near Blue Hole Falls
Fishing, birding, and hiking along the Duck River aren’t the only reason to visit Blue Hole Falls. You can also visit the Old Stone Fort Museum near the park entrance to learn about archaeologists’ theories about who built the fort.
The waterfalls at Old Stone Fort State Archeological Park also happen to be less than five miles from
Manchester
, Tennessee, home of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
. If you happen to visit in June, roll both experiences into one! Ozone Falls
Height: 110 feet
Hiking distance: 0.6 miles
Hiking difficulty: Moderate
Fall Creek meanders down from the Crab Orchard Mountains in eastern Tennessee to a
110-foot plunge
in the heart of Cumberland County. The story goes that the falls got their name because of the pleasant atmosphere rising from the misty falls. If you’ve seen Disney’s live-action Jungle Book, you might recognize this spot—it was a key filming location for the movie! Things to do near Ozone Falls
While you’re in the area, check out the
Cumberland County Playhouse
, the Crossville Model Railroad Club
, and the Stonehaus Winery
in Crossville
!MORE: How to get bugs off your car: A handy guide
Twin Falls
Height: 80 feet
Hiking distance: 1.7 miles
Hiking difficulty: Easy to moderate
Located in
Rock Island State Park
, Twin Falls cascades down a steep rock cliff into the Caney Fork River just upstream from the Great Falls Dam. The 1.7-mile downstream trail is the easiest way to see the falls, but adventurous hikers can brave the rocky stairs of the mile-long Old Mill Trail, which moves down into the gorge itself. Things to do near Twin Falls
Fast-moving water on the Caney Fork makes for thrilling kayaking and canoeing opportunities—but don’t venture into the water unless you know what you’re doing! Conditions can quickly get dangerous, especially in the rainy season.
How to find affordable car insurance in Tennessee
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FAQs
What is the largest waterfall in Tennessee?
Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is not just the tallest waterfall in Tennessee—it’s taller than any waterfall east of the Rockies!
What part of Tennessee has waterfalls?
Most of Tennessee’s waterfalls are found in the eastern part of the state, where the Appalachian Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau create the steep cliffs and gorges that form waterfalls.
How many waterfalls are there in Tennessee?
Tennessee has so many waterfalls, nobody’s been able to make an exact count! The state has over 500 waterfalls, mostly along the Cumberland Plateau.
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