There are many beautiful waterfalls to discover while hiking in Eastern Tennessee. Here are some of the best hiking trails with waterfalls in the region. Plus a few you don't have to hike at all. I will have them grouped together in general areas for you. So, if you do it right you could see a few in one day from this list, or at least stay a few days in that area and see them all. Here is the list of some of the best of Tennessee’s waterfalls, or at least of east Tennessee area that is not considered the Chattanooga area, that will be a different blog in the future.
Best Waterfall locations in Eastern Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park- $14 entry fee per day.
The Great Smoky Mountains are known for their natural beauty. Offering amazing hikes, beautiful views, and a chance to reconnect with nature in a National Park area. The park itself offers several opportunities for waterfall viewing. Spending a week's vacation in this National Park is a great way to see many waterfalls and get in touch with nature. This area is busiest in the summer months.
Abrams Falls Trail - 5-mile round trip hike and has a 20-foot waterfall. The swimming hole can be considered difficult to swim in and warned against because people have drowned while trying to swim. You access this from the Cades Cove area.
Rainbow Falls Trail - This 5.4-mile hike is considered moderate-difficult at times, but the view is great with a stunning 80-foot waterfall. The trail continues on past the waterfall for another 4.5 miles. You can access the trail near Roaring Forks.
Grotto Falls Trail - Less than 3-mile hike awaits you here with access from the Roaring Forks area. It is considered one of the favorites in the National Park. Still give yourself 2 to 3 hours to explore this 25-foot waterfall.
Ramsey Cascades Trail - Round trip it is an 8-mile hike and is considered difficult and strenuous. It can take you up to 7 hours to do the hike. But the waterfall has a 100-foot drop, so it is quite special to see. The longer hike means less crowds for more of a secluded hike in a National Park. The trail access is located near the Greenbrier area.
Laurel Falls Trail - The easiest hike to a waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains with a 2.4-mile round trip hike which will just take you a little bit over an hour to do. The waterfall is about 80 feet tall, and Cove Mountain Lookout tower is also located here. This is one of the most popular waterfalls in the area.
Falls Creek State Park
These are part of the ultimate bucket list for anyone in Tennessee who loves waterfall hikes. They have camping, several swimming holes, close parking lots, along with a nature center, caves and so much more.
Fall Creek Falls - Near Spencer in the Falls Creek State Park. This is the farthest west I will go on my list of waterfalls. One of the highest waterfalls, one of the most impressive falls in the eastern United States at 256 feet tall, and the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. The hike is a short walk too, just 1 mile each way, taking about 30 minutes. A parking area is located close by.
Cane Creek Cascades is located close to Falls Creek Falls and with a 45-foot-tall waterfall this is beautiful. Overlook trail and several swimming places are nearby.
Cane Creek Falls is a little bit different then the cascades listed above. The waterfall is 85 feet tall. Located near the Cascades and Rockhouse Falls.
Rockhouse Falls is a 125-foot fall that is amazing to see. This is visible from Gorge Trail and a couple others in the area. The Overlook is only about a mile from the Nature Center.
Piney Creek Falls is a 95-foot waterfall that has a trail with an overlook and the trail also goes to the bottom of the waterfall.
Lost Creek Falls at 60 feet, this is a different waterfall, it plunges where water comes from a cave above the falls.
Coon Creek Falls is 250 feet tall and is adjacent to Falls Creek Falls, so you see them both from the overlook.
Waterfalls between Sparta and Crossville TN
These waterfall areas will make for a great day trip for anyone in the Eastern Tennessee area, but if you live near Sparta, Crossville, or Cookeville, it will be even better. If you are waiting to spend some time in the great outdoors, hikes to waterfalls are some of the best ways to do it.
Virgin Falls Trail - Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness. This is a strenuous 9-mile hike, located north of Falls Creek Falls State Park, at about 1 hour away. The trail is usually not too crowded because of the hike, so you get some great peaceful time here. It can take you 9 hours to get there and back if you take your time and enjoy it, so be prepared. This is another interesting waterfall as it also comes from a cave, drops into a 110-foot waterfall and then disappears into another cave. This area is an interesting geological feature.
Wildcat Falls near Sparta but not in the Virgin Trails area You can actually see it from the road but do hike down to the base and look up at it. Located on Route 70 between Sparta and Crossville, there is a place you can pull over and look at the waterfall. Just be extremely careful because this is a highway.
Rylander Cascades is part of the Lost Creek area mentioned above, but not actually in the Falls Creek State Park. This was once an underground stream. Park on Whites Cave Road in Sparta.
Burgess Falls Trail Located in Burgess Falls State Park, is a very wide waterfall at times due to rain, located near Sparta. It's not a long hike at all and considered an easy hike.
Cummins Falls can be seen from the overlook for free near Cookeville TN, north of Sparta, but hiking in Canyon or swimming you will need a permit.
Ozone Falls is located about 45 minutes east of Cookeville in the Ozone Falls State Natural area and Cumberland Trail State Park. Honestly, I toyed with the idea of placing this waterfall in the above category because it is also located in Fall River. This waterfall drains over the Cumberland Plateau. This is a 100-foot plunge waterfall with a ¾ mile rugged trail that starts off of Route 70. Fun fact, did you know this was the setting of the Disney’s Jungle Book movie?
Erwin TN- Cherokee National Forest Area
Erwin is the city nearby, where you can see several waterfalls, several of which you can see in one day. This is why I listed them all near Erwin, it is a good home base for these waterfalls. Erwin is a great place, close to both the Johnson TN area, and the North Carolina border. Some of the best waterfalls are in this area.
Rock Creek Falls - A challenging yet scenic hike that rewards with a small but beautiful waterfall. This is a 1.5-mile round trip hike that crosses the creek several times so you will get your feet wet. So be prepared.
Pine Ridge Falls - Is a nice short hike at 1.8 miles round trip, with a 25-foot waterfall. Tral can be muddy at times if there has been lots of rain and is located near the Sill Branch Falls
Martins Creek Falls - This is about a 2-mile hike, uphill at the start, but that's great when you leave because that means it's downhill. You can go to the bottom of the waterfall if you like but be careful it can be tricky. This will take you less than an hour.
Sill Branch Falls - This is a 2-mile round trip that takes you to a 20-foot waterfall. The best time to come is in the spring or fall, for the best amount of water flowing from the waterfall.
I will note that not too far away in Elizabethton TN (close proximity to Johnson City) is Blue Hole Falls, this is on a loop trail, honestly it is just 1000 feet away from the gate area. There is a small parking lot that offers easy access in this remote area, but many people visit this waterfall, and a few will jump in the cold water.
In addition, there are so many more to see in the Eastern Half of Tennessee locals suggest visiting Bald River Falls and other Wildcat falls in Tellico Plains, Meigs Falls in Townsend, Twin Falls near Walling, and Great Falls in Rock Island State Park Tennessee.
Remember, always take the necessary precautions when hiking such as wearing suitable footwear, carrying plenty of water, and informing someone of your hiking plans. Also watch out for bears, I have seen them several times in the Cherokee National Forest Area. Enjoy your adventure in the beautiful outdoors of Eastern Tennessee!
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Waterfalls are so much fun. A great list of places to visit!