7 Amazing Waterfalls in Tennessee

The state of Tennessee is home to over 500 waterfalls, most of which are located along the Cumberland Plateau and in the Appalachian Mountain Range in Eastern Tennessee.

This state is an excellent destination for waterfall seekers, so we’ve compiled a list of 7 of the most incredible waterfalls in Tennessee here.

And if you’re anything like us, you also like camping! That’s why we included the best nearby campsites to each of the Tennessee waterfalls.

Let’s dive in.

1. Ruby Falls

About the Falls: Ruby Falls is an incredible 141 foot waterfall located inside a cave! Ruby Falls is the nation’s tallest and deepest underground waterfall that’s open to the public.

When you visit Ruby Falls, you will descend 260 feet by elevator into Lookout Mountain and explore the cavern trail along the way to the waterfall. You can also take tours of the cave and venture on top of Lookout Mountain and explore the surrounding area. 

Location: Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain are located in Chatanooga, Tennessee. 

Great Nearby Campsite: Raccoon Mountain Campground is conveniently located just about 11 minutes from Ruby Falls and is a great destination in and of itself. At Raccoon Mountain campground you can explore 5.5 miles of underground caverns in Raccoon Mountain, go panning for gemstones, minerals, and arrowheads, or just relax at your full hookup campsite. 

Tennessee Waterfall Vibes Score: 10/10

2. Burgess Falls

About the Falls: Burgess Falls is a beautiful cascading waterfall on the Falling Water River in Burgess Falls State Park. This waterfall plunges 150 feet into a gorge and is accessed by a 1.1 mile well maintained trail.

This trail is heavily trafficked and has an elevation change of around 134 feet, so it’s not too strenuous. Burgess Falls trail passes 3 waterfalls and a butterfly garden and it’s suitable for the whole family – dogs included. Burgess Falls State Park was once inhabited by Native Americans of the Cherokee, Creek, and Chickasaw tribes, who used this area as their hunting grounds.

Later, the Falling Water River was home to a sawmill and a gristmill, and then used for hydro-electric power for the city of Cookeville. Now, it is a protected natural area and a must-see in Tennessee. 

Location: Burgess Falls State Park is located near Sparta, Tennessee about an hour and a half east of Nashville. 

Great Nearby Campsite: Camp nearby at Big Puckett’s RV Park and Campground located in Sparta, just about a mile away from Burgess Falls State Park. Big Pucketts also has a made-to-order restaurant with rave reviews, and the Sparta area is home to many Rivers and lakes for exploring, too!

Tennessee Waterfall Vibes Score: 8/10

3. Fall Creek Falls and Coon Creek Falls

About the Falls: Fall Creek Falls is the highest waterfall in Tennessee – a 256 food plunge waterfall, and Coon Creek Falls is a 250 foot plunge waterfall. These waterfalls are located within Fall Creek State Park. Fall Creek Falls and Coon Creek Falls share a drop basin, so it’s a two-for-one!

Coon Creek Falls is seasonal, so if you visit after a heavy rain you’ll have the pleasure of seeing both of these spectacular waterfalls. These waterfalls are accessed by hiking at 0.8-mile out-and-back trail with 288 feet of elevation change, rated as moderately difficult.

Fall Creek State Park is one of Tennessee’s largest and most popular state parks featuring cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams, forests, and more. 

Location: Fall Creek and Coon Creek Falls are located in Fall Creek State Park near Spencer, Tennessee. 

Great Nearby Campsite: Fall Creek Falls State Park has great RV camping options so you can stay and play. While you’re at the state park you can go hiking, visit the Nature Center for hands-on environmental education and programs, try your skill on the Canopy Challenge course, shoot a round of golf, and more. 

Tennessee Waterfall Vibes Score: 9/10

4. Walls of Jericho Falls

About the Falls: Walls of Jericho is a 7.5 mile out-and-back trail in Tennessee that ends in a stunning canyon waterfall. This hike is not for the faint-of-heart, with an elevation change of 1,400 feet.

The Walls of Jericho hike features an upper and lower falls. The lower falls flows out of a cave, and the upper falls at the end of a hike plunge into a pool with a cave. This trail borders Tennessee and Alabama and will take you from Tennessee, into Alabama, and back into Tennessee to reach the waterfall. The “Walls” are a bowl-shaped amphitheater that is up to 200 feet tall.

Legend has it that Davy Crockett spent time exploring this area, and the name “Walls of Jericho” came from an itinerant preacher in the 1800s who gave baptisms in this very spot. 

Location: The Walls of Jericho Trailhead is located near Belvidere, Tennessee, close to the Alabama border off of highway 16. 

Great Nearby Campsite: Fairview Devil’s Step campground is a campground located in Tims Ford State Park, about 28 miles from the Walls of Jericho trailhead. This state park sits on Tims Ford Lake, one of the most picturesque lakes in Tennessee and a premier bass fishing destination. 

Tennessee Waterfall Vibes Score: 10/10 – if you can manage the hike, this is a must-see!

5. Cummins Falls

About the Falls: Cummins Fall is a 75 foot plunging and cascading waterfall within Cummins Falls State Park. This waterfall is accessed by a 2 mile round trip trail with a 334 foot elevation gain rated as moderate.

Dogs are allowed on this trail on a leash. However, it’ss not recommended to bring children due to the rugged and steep nature of the hike. The base of Cummins Falls makes for a great swimming hole! You can swim and relax a bit after the hike in!

Location: Cummins Falls is located within Cummins Falls State Park near Cookeville, Tennessee. 

Great Nearby Campsite:  Old Mill Camp and General Store at Cummins Falls is located right outside the state park. The campground features an old-timey general store with any supplies you may need and even has live music on the weekends. Old Mill Camp is a great location for exploring Cummins Falls State Park. 

Tennessee Waterfall Vibes Score: 10/10

6. Carmac Falls

About the Falls: Carmac Falls is a 90 foot tall cascading waterfall located on the Evins Mill property near Smithville, Tennessee. Evins Mill is a private event venue, so to access the falls you will need to be a guest of Evins Mill.

Don’t want to stay the night? They offer ‘day tripper’ passes for those who want to access the falls. Getting to the falls is a 1-mile out-and-back trail with 90 feet of elevation gain rated as easy.

Location: Carmac Falls and Evins Mill are located near Smithville, Tennessee. 

Great Nearby Campsite: Rock Island State Park is a 20-minute drive away from Carmac Falls that has great RV and tent campgrounds. Rock Island State Park is an 883-acre park including the rugged Caney Fork Gorge.

This gorge features scenic overlooks, waterfalls, deep pools and limestone paths. Your stay at this state park can include boating, swimming, hiking, and waterfall viewing to your heart’s content.

Tennessee Waterfall Vibes Score: 8/10

7. Twin Falls

About the Falls: Twin Falls is located in Rock Island State Park in the Caney Fork Gorge. So, while you’re there visiting Carmac Falls, don’t miss this waterfall! Twin Falls is an 80-foot cascading waterfall that pours down the walls of the gorge and was created on accident when damming the Caney Fork River.

Although channels were dug for the water, it chose it’s own path, creating these falls. The hike to Twin Falls is 1.6 miles round trip and is accessible for all hiking skill levels. 

Location: Twin Falls is located in Rock Island State Park in Rock Island, Tennessee. 

Great Nearby Campsite: Rock Island State Park features 50 RV campsites with hookups and a variety of other options for exploration, so stay and play! 

Tennessee Waterfall Vibes Score: 8/10

Plan your Trip To These Waterfalls in Tennessee

Tennessee is a beautiful and rugged state with endless waterfall and outdoor exploration activities. Many of the waterfalls in this list are within a few hours of each other, you could easily spend a week (or longer) waterfall-hopping in Tennessee, enjoy!

If you’re traveling with an RV, trip planning to Tennessee is essential.

We use RV Trip Wizard to route our cross country trips.

It allows us to avoid steep passes, tolls, and tunnels – making travel day way less stressful! Try RV Trip Wizard Free for 7 Days.

Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA

To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).

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As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.

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