From the roiling spray of waterfalls to cascading gorges and rock houses, you’ll be in awe when exploring Tennessee waterfalls. With so many stunning natural spots to visit, you’re sure to find one that fits your taste and budget.
Tennessee’s state parks are home to a number of jaw-dropping waterfalls that will take your breath away. Whether you want to go on an easy hike or a challenging adventure, these state parks have you covered.
Blue Hole Falls is a series of waterfalls that tucks away deep in the mountains of Tennessee. It is a popular local gathering spot in the summertime, but it’s best to visit during off-peak times.
The waterfalls have a nice swimming hole in the middle and it can be fun to jump off the top or from the cliff on the left. The area is a great place to climb or rappel as well!
The hike to Blue Hole Falls begins at the base of Holston Mountain. Park on Panhandle Road and follow it for less than a mile to the main waterfalls. Then continue on the trail for a short while until you reach two other waterfalls.
Falls Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s largest and most popular state parks, encompassing more than 29,800 acres. It’s home to several waterfalls including Fall Creek Falls, which at 256 feet is considered the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains.
There are many trails in the park. The most famous is the trail to Falls Creek Falls, but there are plenty of others to choose from as well.
Another popular area in the park is Cane Creek Cascades, which are a 45 foot waterfall behind the nature center. They are a popular swimming spot, and a suspension bridge crosses Cane Creek just above them.
Cane Creek Falls aren’t the tallest of the falls in the park, but they have a nice drop into a deep plunge pool. These falls are a good place to stop, especially if you’re driving along the scenic Little River Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
If you’re looking for a scenic waterfall that will take your breath away, you should check out Baker’s Bluff Falls. This cascade is located along the Natchez Trace Parkway and offers a great view of farmland and river below.
The best part is that it’s only a short drive from Nashville.
It’s also one of the prettiest waterfalls in Tennessee. Visitors can enjoy a swim in the natural pool below the falls or hike to the top for a more expansive view.
It’s a fascinating geological feature and is a unique day trip from Chattanooga or Nashville. It’s also a popular spot for photographers because of the natural caves found along the trail.
A dramatic plunge into a deep gorge, Foster Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Southeast. Located within South Cumberland State Park, this 80-foot plunge is a popular destination for hiking and rock climbing.
Easily accessible from the parking area, a universally accessible trail leads visitors to a viewing platform of the top of the falls. Hikers can cross a swaying suspension bridge to catch a close-up view of the falls and azure pool below.
The falls are situated within a 178 acre tract of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Foster Falls Small Wild Area (SWA). This is also the southern end of the Fiery Gizzard Trail, which is a 12.5 mile long hike through the Grundy Forest SWA to nearby Denny Cove.
If you’re looking for one of the most unique waterfalls in Tennessee, look no further than Twin Falls. It’s located in Rock Island State Park, and it’s easy to get to by car.
Unlike Great Falls, which was created by the dam that created Caney Fork River, Twin Falls is a result of the Collins River seeping into caverns on the bluffs above it and then spilling down to the nearby Caney Fork.
There are a few ways to see the falls, but the easiest is by parking at the Twin Falls Overlook and walking along the riverbed. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also hike the 1.6-mile Downstream Trail, which is a natural, moderate lollipop that starts at the bottom of the stairs next to Twin Falls and follows the bluff line river border.
