4 Gorgeous Tennessee Waterfalls You Have to See

Chasing Waterfalls in Tennessee

Exploring waterfalls in Tennessee is among our favorite ways to spend a sunny summer day. While the list of waterfalls to see seems endless, we’ve listed a few of our favorites that we’ve visited so far. If you’re looking for a quick hike or have an entire day for exploring, the list below has something for you. Add these waterfalls to your list for the summer or any time of year really!

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Ozone Falls

Located in Cumberland County, approximately 1 hour from Knoxville, a visit to Ozone Falls is a perfect activity for a sunny day. This Tennessee waterfall is impressive, both for its height at 110 feet and the fact that you can walk behind it. The parking area is very limited (just a small pull off on the side of the road), but the walk to the falls takes just a few minutes. It’s worth a quick stop if you’re short on time but still looking to get your nature fix!

Cummins Falls

Next, we have our very favorite of the Tennessee waterfalls we’ve visited so far, and it will be a tough one to beat. Cummins Falls State Park is a true hidden gem located in Cookeville, Tennessee. The 75-foot waterfall and idyllic swimming hole make this the perfect destination for a beautiful summer day. There are 3 miles of trails to explore, and plenty of places to enjoy a picnic on the rocks. Keep in mind the trail to the base of the waterfall will have you wading through the river, so we’d advise bringing some shoes along that you don’t mind getting wet. Don’t forget towels if you plan on swimming!

Pro Tip: This place can get packed during peak season. If you don’t mind forgoing some sleep, it is definitely worth rising early to experience this place without the crowds. We recommend planning to get to the falls around 9am, but keep in mind you’ll want to allot an hour or more to hike to the falls from the parking lot. For reference, the photo above was taken around 9:30am in late June, and we had the place to ourselves.

Abrams Falls

The Abrams Falls trailhead is accessible from the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road. The drive through Cades Cove is at the top of many itineraries for the Great Smoky Mountains for good reason. Hiking to Abrams Falls (5.2 miles roundtrip) is a perfect way to make a day of it. While this Tennessee waterfall is shorter than the others on our list, the pool at the base of the waterfall offers a great place to relax and take in the beauty of the area.

Laurel Falls

You’ll find the trailhead for the Laurel Falls trail past the Sugarlands Visitor Center as you drive towards Cades Cove. A good portion of the 2.6 mile trail is paved and the roundtrip will take you approximately 2 hours to complete. Be prepared though, this trail can be quite crowded in peak season. An early start is advising to mitigate the headache of parking and traffic on the trail. Still, this Tennessee waterfall is lovely, and it is a convenient option from Gatlinburg.

No Shortage of Waterfalls to Explore in Tennessee

Tennessee is home to hundreds of waterfalls to explore, and this list just scratches the surface. We’ve hiked to many waterfalls in Tennessee, and there are still so many more on our list to see. Check back regularly as we update on our latest adventures chasing waterfalls. Have a favorite waterfall that you’ve visited in Tennessee? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

Check out some other ideas for what to add to your summer list here.