Chasing Waterfalls: Exploring Tennessee’s Natural Wonders
Chasing Waterfalls: Exploring Tennessee’s Natural Wonders
Tennessee isn’t just about country music, honky tonks and barbeue (although those are all pretty great!) It’s also home to some gorgeous waterfalls, from ones that you can see roadside, to some that you’ll need to lace up your hiking boots to see.
As a hiking elopement photographer, I’ve traveled all over the place in search of picture perfect locations. These are just a few of the waterfalls in Tennessee that I recommend ANY nature lover check out when you feel like exploring!
Best Time of Year to Visit Tennessee Waterfalls
If you want to experience the magic in full bloom, the absolute best time of year to explore waterfalls in Tennessee is in the early spring. The waterfalls are flowing from the melting snow and spring showers bring plenty of rain to produce epic flows. Nature creates it’s own symphony with the sound of rushing water echoing through the valleys while the vibrant greenery is just starting to come to life all around you. It’s PEACE.
Top Tennessee Waterfalls to Explore
- Ruby Falls– tucked away underground beneath Lookout Mountain, this one has to go on your must-see list. While the journey to reach it isn’t free, it is half the fun!
- Fall Creek Falls– At 256′ Fall Creek Falls is not only the tallest waterfall in Tennessee, but it’s the tallest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. If you choose to hike to the base of it, you’ll definitely realize the height! You don’t HAVE to hike it if you don’t want to though. There’s an observation deck just a short walk from the parking lot.
- Cummins Falls– Nestled in the heart of the state, if you’ve seen an advertisement for summer fun in Tennessee, you’ve probably already seen Cummins Falls. Swimming is practically mandatory here! Due to the popularity, you do need to purchase a day-use permit in advance now if you plan on visiting Cummins Falls. Here’s a link to the Cummins Falls State Park website where you can purchase your permit online.
Most Accessible Tennessee Waterfalls
It doesn’t get any easier than this…you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your vehicle to see these waterfalls:
- Bald River Falls
- Ozone Falls
And here are a few waterfalls that offer beautiful sights without the need for extensive hiking:
- Twin Falls– There’s a trail here, but the best views are really just a short walk from the parking lot.
- Laurel Falls– rough paved trail to the waterfall. This one is a 2.4 mile hike and it is hilly in a few spots, but a little easier since it is paved. My entire family hiked it a few years ago on a Thanksgiving vacation to Gatlinburg. It’s a pretty popular spot, so if you want to avoid the crowds, you’ll want to go early! Also, you do have to pay to park in the lot here.
- Cane Creek Cascades– this waterfall is located right behind the nature center in Fall Creek Falls State Park– This one easily gets confused with Cane Creek Falls, which does have a small view from an accessible location, but the best views come from a hike with cables.
- Machine Falls– if you do the 2.4 mile loop hike, you’ll get a twofer and also see Busby Falls.
Waterfalls Near Nashville, Tennessee
- Machine Falls– 65 miles from downtown | Wear your waterproof shoes for this hike! There are several creek crossings on the 3.1 mile trail, but you’ll also get to see Busby Falls and Adams Falls.
- Piney Falls– 70 miles from downtown | 1.6 mile hike
- Lost Creek Falls– 70 miles from downtown | .2 mile hike
- Rutledge Falls– 75 miles from downtown | Located on private property, there is limited parking here. But how amazing of the owners to share this beauty with the rest of us?? | .30 mile hike
- Stillhouse Hollow Falls– 80 miles from downtown | 1.2 mile hike
- Burgess Falls– 80 miles from downtown | 1.2 mile hike
- Great Falls– 80 miles from downtown
- Cummins Falls– 85 miles from downtown | 2.4 mile hike
- Laurel Falls– 105 miles from downtown | 4.6 mile hike
- Cane Creek Falls– 110 miles from downtown | .4 mile hike
Rutledge Falls
Burgess Falls
Waterfalls Near Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Ruby Falls– 6 miles from downtown
- Glen Falls– 15 miles from downtown | 1.2 mile hike
- Rainbow Falls– 15 miles from downtown | 2.6 mile hike
- Rock Creek Falls– 20 miles from downtown | 4.2 mile hike
- Lula Lake Falls– 20 miles from downtown | 4.5 mile hike
- Cherokee Falls– 25 miles from downtown | 1.2 mile hike
- DeSoto Falls– 30 miles from downtown | 1.9 mile hike
- Foster Falls– 40 miles from downtown | 1.7 mile hike
- Blue Hole Falls– 50 miles from downtown | .50 mile hike
- Lower Piney Falls– 50 miles from downtown | 1.6 mile hike
Waterfalls Near Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Grotto Falls– 4 miles from downtown |3 mile hike (you can walk behind this one!)
- Laurel Falls– 12 miles from downtown | 2.4 mile hike
- Rainbow Falls– 8 miles from downtown | 2.7 mile hike
- Ramsey Cascades– 14 miles from downtown | 8 mile hike
- Hen Wallow Falls– 24 miles from downtown | 4.4 mile hike
- Abrams Falls– 25 miles from downtown | 5.2 mile hike
- Indian Creek Falls– 38 miles from downtown | 1.6 mile hike
- Tom Branch Falls– 40 miles from downtown | 1.6 mile hike
- Mingo Falls– 50 miles from downtown | .30 mile hike
Tennessee State Parks With Multiple Waterfalls
- Burgess Falls State Park– 3 Waterfalls
- Burgess Falls- 1.2 mile hike When you take the trail to this waterfall, you’ll get a bird’s eye view since the trail overlooks the waterfall. If you’d like to see it from the bottom, you’ll have to take a kayak. That access point is outside of the park in the Cane Hollow Recreation Area.
- Middle Falls- located on the Burgess Falls Trail
- Falling Water Cascades- located on the Burgess Falls Trail
- Fall Creek Falls State Park– 6 Waterfalls
- Fall Creek Falls- If you want to see the waterfall from the bottom up, the hike isn’t long (1.2 miles roundtrip) but it is steep, rocky, and has a few stairs. Depending on recent weather, sometimes you might get lucky and see a second bonus waterfall: Coon Creek Falls
- Coon Creek Falls isn’t always flowing when Fall Creek Falls is, but when it is, it’s a sight to see 2 massively tall waterfalls right next to each other.
- Rockhouse Falls 1 mile hike Located next to Cane Creek Falls
- Cane Creek Falls- 1 mile hike Located next to Rockhouse Falls
- Cane Creek Cascades .40 mile hike
- Piney Creek Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall with the main drop measuring in at 80 feet. Use the Piney Falls trail to reach this hidden gem, but be aware that the trail isn’t marked all that great. 2 mile hike
- Frozen Head State Park– 2 Waterfalls
- Emory Gap Falls 2.4 mile hike
- Debord Falls 1.2 mile hike
- Old Stone Fort State Park– 2 Waterfalls
- Big Falls
- Bluehole Falls– .50 mile hike
- Rock Island State Park– 5 Waterfalls
- Twin Falls– short distance from parking lot
- Badger Falls
- Badger Flat Falls
- Great Falls
- Lower Great Falls
- South Cumberland State Park– 8 Waterfalls
- Horsehair Falls
- Foster Falls– These falls are beautiful, and the forest that surrounds them makes it feel like a magical forest. The best part is the swinging bridge that you have to cross on the trail! See photos from an elopement I photographed in Foster Falls.
- Denny Falls
- Yellow Pine Falls
- Sycamore Falls– 2.1 mile hike
- Hanes Hole Falls
- Blue Hole Falls
- Collins River– 4.5 mile hike
- Savage Gulf State Park– 7
- Greeter Falls– if you’re looking for a waterfall with a spiral staircase, you’ve found it! Standing at an impressive 50 feet tall, this is probably the most well known waterfall in Savage Gulf State Park. It’s stunning plunge into a turquoise pool below makes it a popular spot in the summer months because swimming is allowed here.
- Suter Falls
- Boardtree Falls
- Ranger Creek Falls
- Savage Falls– swimming is allowed here, so make sure to wear a swimsuit under your hiking clothes if you do this hike on a hot summer day!
- Horsepound Falls
- Laurel Falls -yes Tennesee has 2 waterfalls with this name! This one has lots of stairs, but you’re rewarded with an impressive view of the 40 foot tall waterfall.
Know Before You Go
Keep in mind when exploring waterfalls that they tend to be steep slick hikes, and that while waterfalls are beautiful, they can also be dangerous. Always heed warning signs, stick to the designated trails and never underestimate the power of nature.
I personally always like to have my hiking poles with me, even when I feel silly because nobody else has them. I can’t even tell you how many times they’ve save me from a misstep or a slide on top of a wet rock.
It’s never a bad idea to have a downloaded map of the trail that you plan on hiking. I use AllTrails for every single hike that I do. It’s also helpful to check out recent reviews and see if there have been any trail closures.
It’s always important to adhere to the Leave No Trace guidelines when exploring the outdoors. As tempting as it is to take home a souvenir or leave your mark on nature, it’s essential to remember that our actions can have a lasting impact on these delicate ecosystems. By adhering to Leave No Trace guidelines- like packing out trash and respecting wildlife- we can ensure that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy Tennessee’s waterfalls just as much as we do today. Read more about Leave No Trace.
Happy exploring!
Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or first-time explorer, there is no denying the allure of natural wonders, especially the breathtaking wonder of the rush of water. Believe me, I know! I spend every chance I can get in the great outdoors. So go ahead, chase those waterfalls, and let Tennessee’s beauty fill your soul with wonder and your heart with the contentment that comes from being in nature!
