10 Best Waterfall Hiking Locations in Tennessee (2026 Updated)
These 10 Tennessee waterfalls are reached on foot and rated highly by the people who hiked them, led by Bluehole Falls, Laurel Falls, and Fall Creek Falls. The list spans the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge, Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range, and Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment.
How We Picked
We started with the 12 publicly accessible Tennessee waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Bluehole Falls
Manchester, TN · Coffee County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why hike it
Reviewers describe the hike with words like "easy hike", "easy access", and "kids", so it suits most hikers. It is rated 4.9 stars by 94 Google reviewers. 6 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Little Falls and Big Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 26 named falls in the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge region. The nearest town is Manchester, about 0.9 miles to the east.
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2. Laurel Falls
Roan Mountain, TN · Carter County · Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range
Why hike it
Expect effort: reviewers mention "hike difficulty". It is rated 5.0 stars by 28 Google reviewers. 1 more named waterfall is within 5 miles (Coon Den Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Potato Top, a summit 0.2 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 18 named falls in the Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range region. The nearest town is Roan Mountain, about 6.4 miles to the southeast.
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3. Fall Creek Falls
Spencer, TN · Van Buren County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why hike it
On the trail: "This striking 256-ft waterfall in a forest has an overlook with a trail down to its plunge pool." It is rated 4.8 stars by 572 Google reviewers. 4 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Cane Creek Falls and Cascades Rockhouse), so there is more to explore nearby. Buzzards Roost, a summit 1.2 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 44 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment region. The nearest town is Spencer, about 8.4 miles to the northwest.
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4. Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area
Mount Pleasant, TN · Maury County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why hike it
Reviews are mixed on difficulty, mentioning both "easy hike" and "steep trail" and "elevation gain". It is rated 4.8 stars by 154 Google reviewers. 1 more named waterfall is within 5 miles (Rattlesnake Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 26 named falls in the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge region. The nearest town is Mount Pleasant, about 6.0 miles to the northeast.
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5. Cane Creek Falls
Spencer, TN · Van Buren County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why hike it
On the trail: "Accessed by a hiking trail, this hard-to-find, 85-foot waterfall features a peaceful swimming spot." It is rated 4.8 stars by 74 Google reviewers. 4 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Cascades Rockhouse and Fall Creek Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 44 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment region. The nearest town is Spencer, about 8.7 miles to the northwest.
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6. Machine Falls
Tullahoma, TN · Coffee County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why hike it
Reviews are mixed on difficulty, mentioning both "easy hike" and "steep trail" and "climb down to falls". It is rated 4.7 stars by 328 Google reviewers. 5 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Ovoca Falls and Rutledge Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 26 named falls in the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge region. The nearest town is Tullahoma, about 3.9 miles to the southwest.
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7. Hen Wallow Falls
Newport, TN · Cocke County · Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range
Why hike it
On the trail: "A hike through a lush forest with rhododendrons leads to this waterfall that fans out at the base." It is rated 4.7 stars by 114 Google reviewers. 1 more named waterfall is within 5 miles (Ramsey Cascades), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 18 named falls in the Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range region. The nearest town is Newport, about 15 miles to the north.
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8. Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area
Spring City, TN · Rhea County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why hike it
On the trail: "30-ft. waterfall over a rocky ledge, accessed by a moderate hike amid woods, moss & boulders." It is rated 4.7 stars by 84 Google reviewers. 3 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Stinging Fork Falls and Lower Piney Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 44 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment region. The nearest town is Spring City, about 4.2 miles to the southeast.
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9. Rainbow Falls
Olivet, TN · Hardin County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why hike it
It is rated 4.7 stars by 50 Google reviewers. It is one of 26 named falls in the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge region. The nearest town is Olivet, about 13 miles to the north.
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10. Cummins Falls
Dodson Branch, TN · Jackson County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why hike it
On the trail: "Sprawling, rocky nature area featuring a 75-ft. waterfall, hiking trails & scenic views." It is rated 4.6 stars by 572 Google reviewers. 1 more named waterfall is within 5 miles (Dry Creek Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. It is one of 26 named falls in the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge region. The nearest town is Dodson Branch, about 4.9 miles to the northeast.
When to Visit Tennessee's Waterfalls
Tennessee's wettest months generally run from winter into spring, so falls are usually fullest from about January through May. Spring also brings wildflowers in the Smokies and on the plateau's gorge slopes, and it is the favorite season for many visitors. Summer is hot and humid, with thunderstorms that can briefly swell creeks; it is also the main swimming season at sites like Cummins Falls and Foster Falls. By late summer and early fall, many plateau falls, including the big ones, can thin dramatically during dry spells. October brings fall color and heavy crowds, especially in the Smokies around Gatlinburg. Winter offers solitude and occasional ice formations on north-facing ledges, though mountain roads may close for snow.
Before You Go
Tennessee's state park system manages many signature falls, including Fall Creek Falls, Burgess Falls, Cummins Falls and the South Cumberland area that includes Foster Falls, along with numerous state natural areas. In the east, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee National Forest hold most falls; check the national park's current parking requirements before visiting. Ruby Falls is a private commercial attraction with ticketed cave tours. Some popular state park gorges use permits or capacity limits in busy seasons, so check ahead. Flash floods are a serious hazard in narrow gorges, which can rise rapidly after storms upstream. Wet sandstone and limestone ledges are slippery, and cliff edges at the plateau rim are often unfenced. Ticks and copperheads are common in warm months.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. Hiking with children? Read waterfall hikes with kids.
Explore More Tennessee Waterfalls
See all 88 waterfalls in the Tennessee waterfall guide, or browse by town: Manchester, Roan Mountain, Spencer, Mount Pleasant, Tullahoma, Newport, Spring City, Olivet.
More Tennessee Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hiking waterfall in Tennessee?
Bluehole Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 94 Google reviews. It is near Manchester in Coffee County.
How was this list made?
We started with the 12 publicly accessible Tennessee waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager.
How many waterfalls are in Tennessee?
Our directory lists 88 named waterfalls in Tennessee. See them all, sorted by town, in the Tennessee waterfall guide.
Why does the Cumberland Plateau have so many waterfalls?
Its hard sandstone caprock sits on top of softer shale and limestone. Streams erode the soft layers faster than the caprock, leaving ledges that water plunges over into deep gorges.