These 10 Waterfalls Around Tennessee Are The Perfect Spots To Cool Down This Summer
Many folks think of the Cumberland Plateau, the woodsy Great Smoky Mountains, and the expansive Mississippi River when the state of Tennessee comes to mind, but the Volunteer State has a few surprises in store. The rocky underbelly of the state lends itself to gushing water features and natural waterfalls that make for popular hiking experiences and camping opportunities. The next time you find yourself researching “waterfalls near me” in Tennessee, we hope this guide comes in handy. Learn more about 10 of the best waterfalls in Tennessee to visit below, and perhaps even plan a trip for yourself.
This 45-foot waterfall can be found in Fall Creek Falls, just above Cane Creek Falls. It's fairly difficult to find and only accessible by hiking trail, so make sure you plan your visit accordingly. This beautiful Tennessee waterfall is one that relatively few people have visited, but you're bound to fall in love with it immediately.
Found along the Falling Water River, Burgess Falls is accessible by way of a 1.1-mile out-and-back trail. Located near the city of Baxter, the trail to Burgess Falls is considered "easy" and is both family and dog-friendly. No matter the time of year you choose to visit, you'll find that Burgess Falls in Tennessee is positively breathtaking.
3. Laurel Falls
Laurel Falls, Laurel Falls Trail, Sevierville, TN 37862, USA
Laurel Falls is shared by North Carolina and Tennessee, and the 80-foot water feature is at its peak in mid-May. With both an upper and lower section for viewing, Laurel Falls remains one of the most popular destinations on the east side of the state. Learn more about what makes Laurel Falls Trail such a spectacular Tennessee hike.
This Sequatchie treasure is a 60-foot waterfall that plunges straight down into a clear and cool mountain pool. Foster Falls is only accessible by hike, though the trail is easy and well-trafficked. There's a nearby campground where you can book an overnight stay if you'd rather extend your trip. If you're planning on hiking with kids in Tennessee, Foster Falls makes for an excellent option.
Ozone Falls can be found in Cumberland County, Tennessee, and is located in the Ozone Falls State Natural Area and Cumberland Trail State Park. It's a popular waterfall for hiking and swimming. You'll also find Ozone Falls on this waterfall road trip in Tennessee that we crafted.
Machine Falls is accessible by the heavily trafficked Machine Falls Loop Trail in Tullahoma, Tennessee. At 4.5 miles long, it features a waterfall and miles of wooded trail. You can hike the loop trail year-round. The best part of all? Many people have never even heard of this stunning waterfall in Tennessee, so you may even have it all to yourself!
Fall Creek Falls is one of the largest state parks and the falls themselves drop 256-feet to the valley below. As the largest falls east of Mississippi River, they are a true sight to see. Learn more about planning your visit to see the tallest waterfall in Tennessee.
Piney Creek is a 95-foot waterfall that can be found along Piney Creek in Spencer, Tennessee. The 817-foot natural area presents one of the best outdoor hiking spaces in the state. If the idea of a secluded, wooded hike in Tennessee appeals to you, this might just be the ticket.
Located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the 20-foot high Abrams Falls isn't the highest waterfall in the park, but it makes up for it with an incredible amount of watery volume. It gushes year-round! Despite being a beautiful waterfall in Tennessee, it's also considered one of the state's most dangerous waterfall hikes.
Last, but not least, if you find yourself looking up "waterfalls near me" in the Nashville area, you'll want to set your GPS to Cummins Falls. Cummins Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Tennessee, especially for its proximity to Nashville. The one-mile hike to the falls rewards hikers with a gorgeous, gushing waterfall and swimming hole.
The next time you’re looking up “waterfalls near me” in Tennessee, we hope this list comes to mind! You can learn more about Tennessee’s natural wonders right here.
Address: Laurel Falls, Laurel Falls Trail, Sevierville, TN 37862, USA
Address: Foster Falls, Tennessee 37374, USA
Address: Ozone Falls, Tennessee 37854, USA
Address: Machine Falls, Tullahoma, TN 37388, USA
Address: Fall Creek Falls, Tennessee 37367, USA
Address: Abrams Falls, Tennessee 37882, USA
Address: Cummins Falls, Tennessee 38501, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
waterfalls near me
May 23, 2022
Beth C.
What are the best waterfall hikes in Tennessee?
As you learned in the article above, the Volunteer State is brimming with beautiful waterfalls. Moreover, many of them can be reached via a beautiful wooded trail. One of our favorite waterfall hikes in Tennessee is Cummins Falls. Not only is the trail to get there scenic and brief, but it also leads you to the perfect place to take a quick dip to cool off. It’s also a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch, as long as you’re sure to clean up and leave no trace from your fun-filled Tennessee day trip. Some other fun waterfall hikes in Tennessee worth checking out include Cane Creek Cascades, Virgin Falls, Fall Creek Falls, Burgess Falls, Greeter Falls, Ozone Falls, Abrams Falls, Hen Wallow Falls, Grotto Falls, Stinging Fork Falls, and Twin Falls. Learn more about these picturesque waterfall trails in Tennessee.
Address: Cane Creek Falls, Tennessee 37367, USA
Address: Burgess Falls, Tennessee 38544, USA
Address: Laurel Falls, Laurel Falls Trail, Sevierville, TN 37862, USA
Address: Foster Falls, Tennessee 37374, USA
Address: Ozone Falls, Tennessee 37854, USA
Address: Machine Falls, Tullahoma, TN 37388, USA
Address: Fall Creek Falls, Tennessee 37367, USA
Address: Abrams Falls, Tennessee 37882, USA
Address: Cummins Falls, Tennessee 38501, USA
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Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
