5 Must-See Waterfalls in Tennessee (2026)
If you only have time for five Tennessee waterfalls, make it these: the state's most visited falls, spread out so the list covers the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment and Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge.
How We Picked
These are the five most visited Tennessee waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Ruby Falls
Chattanooga, TN · Hamilton County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it is a must-see
With 5,406 Google reviews it is the single most visited waterfall in Tennessee, and it holds 4.5 stars. In short: "145-foot-tall underground waterfall inside a limestone cavern in Lookout Mountain." 10 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Subterranean waterfall and Laurel Falls. 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.
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2. Cummins Falls
Dodson Branch, TN · Jackson County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it is a must-see
With 572 Google reviews it is the 2nd most visited waterfall in Tennessee, and it holds 4.6 stars. In short: "Sprawling, rocky nature area featuring a 75-ft. waterfall, hiking trails & scenic views." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: The falls have a vertical drop of 75 feet. 2 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Dry Creek Falls and Burgess Falls. 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.
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3. Fall Creek Falls
Spencer, TN · Van Buren County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it is a must-see
With 572 Google reviews it is the 3rd most visited waterfall in Tennessee, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "This striking 256-ft waterfall in a forest has an overlook with a trail down to its plunge pool." Older records also call it Falls Creek Falls. 6 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Cane Creek Falls and Cascades Rockhouse. 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. Burgess Falls
Baxter, TN · Putnam County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it is a must-see
With 434 Google reviews it is the 4th most visited waterfall in Tennessee, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "Prominent cascade waterfall spilling 136 ft. into a large limestone gorge enclosed by sheer walls." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: The falls have a vertical drop of 136 feet. 3 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Rogers Falls and Cul-car-mac Falls. 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.
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5. Ozone Falls
Rockwood, TN · Cumberland County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it is a must-see
With 432 Google reviews it is the 5th most visited waterfall in Tennessee, and it holds 4.8 stars. Older records also call it McNair Falls. 7 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Basin Falls and Laurel Falls. 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.
A Route Linking All Five
Starting from the northernmost pick and always heading to the nearest remaining one, the five cover about 144 straight-line miles. Road distances are longer.
- Cummins Falls (start, near Dodson Branch)
- Burgess Falls, about 14 mi south
- Fall Creek Falls, about 29 mi southeast
- Ozone Falls, about 34 mi northeast
- Ruby Falls, about 67 mi 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.
Explore More Tennessee Waterfalls
See all 88 waterfalls in the Tennessee waterfall guide, or browse by town: Chattanooga, Dodson Branch, Spencer, Baxter, Rockwood.
More Tennessee Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one must-see 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?
These are the five most visited Tennessee waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state.
Can you see all five in one trip?
The five are about 144 straight-line miles apart in total when visited in the order suggested above. Most people split them across two or more days.
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.