These are the Tennessee waterfalls that draw the biggest crowds, measured by Google review volume and led by Ruby Falls. Popular does not have to mean packed if you time it right.
For every waterfall we track nearby, see the full list of waterfalls in Tennessee, or browse by town: Chattanooga, Dodson Branch, Spencer, Baxter, Rockwood. You can also compare our best waterfalls in Tennessee and most beautiful waterfalls in Tennessee.
How we picked: Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 71% of all Google reviews of Tennessee waterfalls.
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1. Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls near Chattanooga takes the top spot, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 5,406 reviews.
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5,406 Google reviews make it the most visited waterfall in Tennessee, about 52% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. That is 9.5 times as many as Cummins Falls in second place. Visitors have shared 16,924 photos of it. It averages 4.5 stars, with 73% five-star reviews. "145-foot-tall underground waterfall inside a limestone cavern in Lookout Mountain." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Chattanooga, about 2.5 miles to the northeast.
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2. Cummins Falls
Cummins Falls, near Dodson Branch, is next up, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 572 reviews.
Jackson County, TN 38501 (GPS 36.2495, -85.5716)
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572 Google reviews make it number 2 in Tennessee, about 6% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 934 photos of it. It averages 4.6 stars, with 80% five-star reviews. "Sprawling, rocky nature area featuring a 75-ft. waterfall, hiking trails & scenic views." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Dodson Branch, about 4.9 miles to the northeast.
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3. Fall Creek Falls
Fall Creek Falls, near Spencer, is next up, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 572 reviews.
Van Buren County, TN 37367 (GPS 35.6659, -85.3558)
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572 Google reviews make it number 3 in Tennessee, about 6% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 1,508 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 90% five-star reviews. "This striking 256-ft waterfall in a forest has an overlook with a trail down to its plunge pool." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Spencer, about 8.4 miles to the northwest.
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4. Burgess Falls
Burgess Falls near Baxter is worth the drive, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 434 reviews.
Putnam County, TN 38544 (GPS 36.0440, -85.5983)
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434 Google reviews make it number 4 in Tennessee, about 4% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 1,482 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 88% five-star reviews. "Prominent cascade waterfall spilling 136 ft. into a large limestone gorge enclosed by sheer walls." The nearest town is Baxter, about 8.0 miles to the north.
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5. Ozone Falls
Ozone Falls near Rockwood is worth the drive, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 432 reviews.
Cumberland County, TN 37854 (GPS 35.8801, -84.8111)
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432 Google reviews make it number 5 in Tennessee, about 4% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 1,456 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 85% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Rockwood, about 7.1 miles to the east.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most visited waterfall in Tennessee?
Ruby Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.5-star rating from 5,406 Google reviews. It is near Chattanooga in Hamilton County.
How was this list made?
Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 71% of all Google reviews of Tennessee waterfalls.
How many waterfalls are in Tennessee?
Our directory lists 88 waterfalls in Tennessee. See every one, with filters and a map, on the Tennessee waterfalls page.
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.
Summary
Ruby Falls near Chattanooga is our top pick for most visited waterfalls in Tennessee, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 5,406 reviews. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and trail access, water levels and road conditions vary through the year, so confirm current conditions before you drive out.
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.
For more options, see every waterfall on the Tennessee waterfalls page, read 15 Best Waterfalls in Tennessee, or check our waterfall safety tips before you go.