The Ultimate Bucket List For Anyone In Tennessee Who Loves Waterfall Hikes
By Meghan Kraft|Updated on May 05, 2022(Originally published April 30, 2022)
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Meghan Kraft
Author
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.
Waterfall hikes in Tennessee are about as numerous as barbecue joints and the biscuits made from your Grandma’s favorite family recipe, but that doesn’t mean that all hikes are created equal. Nope, there are some that are much, much better than others and we’ve made the ultimate bucket list for those of you who are looking to infuse your summer with a bit of watery fun. Below you’ll find an impressive array of the best hikes in Tennessee that lead to waterfalls. So pack your hiking boots and your camera, because some seriously gorgeous scenery awaits. We’ll see you in the woods, Tennessee!
Cane Creek Cascades is super easy to get to and is located just a short walk up from Cane Creek Falls in Fall Creek Falls State Park. Located in Pikeville, this is a great place to bring kids and folks who aren't looking to walk for as long. Learn more about this incredibly beautiful Tennessee waterfall.
At 8.3 miles, the Virgin Falls Trail is a bit larger and is much more heavily trafficked than the longer hikes on our list. Located near Sparta, you'll find the falls in Virgin Falls State Natural Area. You'll see some of the best views in Tennessee on this gorgeous waterfall trail.
We can't pick a single hike in Fall Creek Falls State Park, mainly because we'd recommend you visit each and every one of them if you can. The park is crisscrossed with trails of varying distances that you can pick and choose from depending on the day and the folks in your party. Plus, Fall Creek Falls happens to be the single tallest waterfall in Tennessee, and it certainly merits a place on your bucket list!
Burgess Falls can be accessed by Burgess Falls Trail, which is a little over a mile and located in Baxter, Tennessee. You can hike, walk, or bring Fido but we'd recommend visiting mainly from January to September. When it comes to the best hikes in Tennessee that lead to waterfalls, Burgess Falls is a definite contender.
Greeter Falls Loop, otherwise known as Greeter Trail, comes in at only 3.2 miles and features a beautiful waterfall at its crest. Altamont, Tennessee, truly is a stunning place to visit and we'd recommend trekking your way through from the months of March to October. We also love that Greeter Falls is an easy-to-access waterfall in Tennessee.
Located near Crab Orchard, Tennessee, Ozone Falls is only 1.3 miles and is a moderately visited trail that's great for hiking and camping. You'll also find Ozone Falls on our waterfall road trip through Tennessee.
Most folks haven't heard of Hen Wallow Falls, but the five-mile trail out in Cosby offers up one of the prettiest and least visited waterfalls in Tennessee.
It's less than a mile to Grotto Falls from the Trillian Gap Trailhead and the hike offers views of old-growth forest off of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. One of the coolest parts about this trail is that it's actually possible to walk behind this Tennessee waterfall.
10. Stinging Fork Falls
Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area, Tennessee 37381, USA
Located in Spring City, the hike to Stinging Fork Falls is heavily shaded and beautifully shrouded with green moss, making for one of the most serene spots in the state with a swimming hole beneath the falls.
Cummins Falls is perhaps the most popular waterfall hike in Tennessee due to its popularity as a swimming hole and close vicinity to Nashville. The out-and-back trail is four miles round trip and is a great spot for the beginner hiker.
12. Twin Falls
Twin Falls Drive, Twin Falls Dr, Johnson City, TN 37601, USA
Last, but not least, on our list of the best hikes in Tennessee that lead to waterfalls is Twin Falls. The hike to Twin Falls in Rock Island State Park is easy for most folks at only a mile round trip, but you'll want to make sure you can walk the stairs that hearken the beginning of the hike. Learn more about what makes Rock Island State Park such a must-see Tennessee destination.
What are your thoughts on these trails? Do you agree that they are some of the best hikes in Tennessee that lead to waterfalls? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments — we would love to hear from you! If you’re looking for another stunning waterfall trail in the Volunteer State, check out this unique canyon waterfall in Tennessee.
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best hikes in Tennessee
Beth C. |May 04, 2022
What's the tallest waterfall in Tennessee?
As mentioned in the article above, Tennessee is positively brimming with beautiful waterfalls, and many of them can be reached via a hiking trail. Fall Creek Falls, which also happens to be on the list above, is the tallest of them all. This 256-foot waterfall is positively breathtaking, and it also happens to be one of the tallest of its kind in the Eastern United States. Whether you're a fan of natural wonders or simply love a good waterfall hike in Tennessee, you'll agree that Fall Creek Falls is spectacular. Learn more about why a visit to Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee belongs on your outdoor bucket list.
