10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Tennessee (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of Tennessee's 88 named waterfalls, starting with Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area. The list spans the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge, Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment, and Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 55 publicly accessible Tennessee waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
-
1. Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area
Mount Pleasant, TN · Maury County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 562 photos of it on Google, about 3.6 for every review. 88% of its 154 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Reviewers single out its overlook, beautiful area, and beautiful scenery. 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.
-
2. Fall Creek Falls
Spencer, TN · Van Buren County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,508 photos of it on Google, about 2.6 for every review. 90% of its 572 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "This striking 256-ft waterfall in a forest has an overlook with a trail down to its plunge pool." The setting includes Buzzards Roost (summit, 1.2 mi). 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.
-
3. Burgess Falls
Baxter, TN · Putnam County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,482 photos of it on Google, about 3.4 for every review. 88% of its 434 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Prominent cascade waterfall spilling 136 ft. into a large limestone gorge enclosed by sheer walls." The setting includes Tibbs Hollow (valley, 1.3 mi) and Cane Hollow (valley, 1.4 mi). It is one of 26 named falls in the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge region. The nearest town is Baxter, about 8.0 miles to the north.
-
4. Bluehole Falls
Manchester, TN · Coffee County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 326 photos of it on Google, about 3.5 for every review. 94% of its 94 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). Reviewers single out its scenery. The setting includes Grindstone Hollow (valley, 0.5 mi) and Dark Hollow (valley, 0.9 mi). 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.
-
5. Benton Falls
Benton, TN · Polk County · Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 2,176 photos of it on Google, about 9.9 for every review. 91% of its 219 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). The setting includes Rattlesnake Hollow (valley, 0.6 mi). It is one of 18 named falls in the Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range region. The nearest town is Benton, about 4.0 miles to the northwest.
-
6. Cummins Falls
Dodson Branch, TN · Jackson County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 934 photos of it on Google. 80% of its 572 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). Its listing describes it as: "Sprawling, rocky nature area featuring a 75-ft. waterfall, hiking trails & scenic views." The setting includes Twelve Corners Hollow (valley, 1.6 mi). 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.
-
7. Ruby Falls
Chattanooga, TN · Hamilton County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 16,924 photos of it on Google, about 3.1 for every review. 73% of its 5,406 reviewers rate it five stars (4.5 average). Its listing describes it as: "145-foot-tall underground waterfall inside a limestone cavern in Lookout Mountain." It is one of 44 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment region. The nearest town is Chattanooga, about 2.5 miles to the northeast.
-
8. Ozone Falls
Rockwood, TN · Cumberland County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,456 photos of it on Google, about 3.4 for every review. 85% of its 432 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). The setting includes Renfro Hollow (valley, 0.3 mi) and Chestnut Orchard Hollow (valley, 1.4 mi). It is one of 44 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment region. The nearest town is Rockwood, about 7.1 miles to the east.
-
9. Foster Falls
Tracy City, TN · Marion County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,060 photos of it on Google, about 3.6 for every review. 87% of its 294 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). The setting includes Sugarcamp Hollow (valley, 1.5 mi). It is one of 44 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment region. The nearest town is Tracy City, about 6.4 miles to the northwest.
-
10. Machine Falls
Tullahoma, TN · Coffee County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,244 photos of it on Google, about 3.8 for every review. 82% of its 328 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). 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.
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. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More Tennessee Waterfalls
See all 88 waterfalls in the Tennessee waterfall guide, or browse by town: Mount Pleasant, Spencer, Baxter, Manchester, Benton, Dodson Branch, Chattanooga, Rockwood.
More Tennessee Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Tennessee?
Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 154 Google reviews. It is near Mount Pleasant in Maury County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 55 publicly accessible Tennessee waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
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.
Is Ruby Falls a natural waterfall?
Yes, it is a natural underground waterfall inside a limestone cave in Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga. It is reached by guided tour as part of a commercial attraction.