From roaring rapids to gentle cascades, Tennessee has over 870 spectacular waterfalls – perfect for the outdoor enthusiast seeking a new selfie spot.
Check out these eight roaring falls the next time you’re traveling through Tennessee.
Burgess Falls
Located within Burgess Falls State Park in Putnam County, this waterfall plummets 136 feet into a massive limestone gorge. You can view this waterfall and three others on the 1.5-mile River Trail – but bring your hiking boots; this path can be a bit challenging! If you’d rather paddle to the bottom of this waterfall, rent a boat or kayak from the Cane Hollow Recreation Area. Nearby, the Observation Deck & Amphitheater offers panoramic views of the lake (and falls) as well as the colorful butterfly garden.
Ruby Falls
An underground waterfall in Tennessee? You bet! Descend into the depths of Chattanooga’s Lookout Mountain on a glass-front elevator and take a guided cave tour. You’ll walk through extensive caverns, see unique rock formations, and marvel at the cascading falls. Beyond the waterfall, Lookout Mountain also offers a 40-foot climbing tower and ziplining (the views of the Cumberland Plateau are incredible).
Fall Creek Falls
Plunging 256 feet, Fall Creek Falls is the tallest free-fall waterfall on the east side of the Mississippi River. Located in Fall Creek Falls State Park, this waterfall is one of four. Enjoy a hike with views of cascades, streams, gorges and lush timber areas and make your way to the falls on two different trails: Fall Creek Falls Base Trail or the Rocky Point Overlook Trail.
Machine Falls
Lace up your hiking boots and hit the 1.5-mile loop trail that leads to Machine Falls. Just an hour from Nashville within the 420-acre Short Springs Natural Area, this secluded waterfall drops 60 feet with a width that is almost equal to its length. You can extend this hike on the Adams Falls and Laurel Bluff/Bobo Creek Loops, which is about four miles total. FYI: You’ll wade through a stream the last portion of the trail, so dress accordingly!
Ozone Falls
Want to feel like you’ve stepped on the set of a Disney movie? Head over to Ozone Falls in Cumberland County – this spot was featured in the 1994 film The Jungle Book. Plunging 110 feet over a sandstone rock into a deep pool, Ozone Falls is one of the most-visited waterfalls in Tennessee due to its close proximity to Interstate 40. The hike is pretty short (just .3 miles out and back), so it’s the perfect detour if you’re in the area.
Cummins Falls
While Cummins Falls in Cookeville is one of the most scenic swimming holes in the United States, getting there is an adventure. On your way to this waterfall, you’ll have to climb rocks, wade through water, and make it through a few challenging hiking passages on the 2.4-mile out-and-back trail. Hiking not your thing? No problem! You can also view the 75-foot falls from the Cummins Falls Overlook.
Northrup Falls
Located in Fentress County’s 165-acre Colditz Cove State Natural Area, the secluded Northrup Falls is one of Tennessee’s hidden gems. On the hike there, you’ll meander through an oak-hickory forest and pass by towering rock walls. At the end of this easy 1.4 trail, you’ll see this 70-foot waterfall, surrounded by rock formations, plunging into a turquoise pool – don’t forget your camera for this one!
Conasauga Falls
Deep in the Cherokee National Forest, the 90-foot Conasauga Falls tumbles peacefully down three tiers into an Instagram-worthy creek. Enjoy a short hike through wooded areas to reach the falls (be careful; some areas of the trail are steep). During the spring, wildflowers add a dash of color to the scenery. In the winter, the falls freeze into a stunning sculpture of ice.
