15 Best Waterfalls in Tennessee (2026 Updated)
Of the 88 named waterfalls in Tennessee, these 15 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Benton Falls, Virgin Falls, and Bluehole Falls. The list spans the Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range, Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment, and Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge.
How We Picked
We ranked the 56 publicly accessible Tennessee waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Benton Falls
Benton, TN · Polk County · Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 8th most reviewed in the state, with 219 reviews. 91% of reviewers give it five stars. 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.
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2. Virgin Falls
Sparta, TN · White County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 41 reviews. 95% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 44 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment region. The nearest town is Sparta, about 9.6 miles to the northwest.
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3. Bluehole Falls
Manchester, TN · Coffee County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 94 reviews. 94% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention swimming hole, stone fort, dog friendly, and easy hike. It is one of 26 named falls in the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge region. Little Falls is only 0.2 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Manchester, about 0.9 miles to the east.
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4. Rutledge Falls
Manchester, TN · Coffee County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 82 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 26 named falls in the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge region. Machine Falls is only 2.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Manchester, about 5.0 miles to the northeast.
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5. Laurel Falls
Roan Mountain, TN · Carter County · Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 28 reviews. 96% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention riverside trail, lengthy hike, hike difficulty, and rocks. It is one of 18 named falls in the Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range region. Coon Den Falls is only 1.6 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Roan Mountain, about 6.4 miles to the southeast.
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6. Fall Creek Falls
Spencer, TN · Van Buren County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 572 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "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. It is one of 44 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment region. Cane Creek Falls is only 0.4 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Spencer, about 8.4 miles to the northwest.
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7. Burgess Falls
Baxter, TN · Putnam County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 434 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "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. 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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8. Ozone Falls
Rockwood, TN · Cumberland County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 432 reviews. 85% of reviewers give it five stars. Older records also call it McNair Falls. It is one of 44 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment region. Basin Falls is only 2.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Rockwood, about 7.1 miles to the east.
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9. Northrup Falls
Jamestown, TN · Fentress County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 45 reviews. 91% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 44 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment region. Magendanz Falls is only 1.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Jamestown, about 5.8 miles to the northwest.
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10. Foster Falls
Tracy City, TN · Marion County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 294 reviews. 87% of reviewers give it five stars. 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.
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11. Great Falls
Spencer, TN · Warren County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 39 reviews. 87% of reviewers give it five stars. Older records also call it Horseshoe Falls. It is one of 26 named falls in the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge region. The nearest town is Spencer, about 10.0 miles to the southeast.
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12. Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area
Mount Pleasant, TN · Maury County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 10th most reviewed in the state, with 154 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention steep trail, shallow pool, elevation gain, and easy hike. It is one of 26 named falls in the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge region. Rattlesnake Falls is only 1.2 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Mount Pleasant, about 6.0 miles to the northeast.
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13. Cane Creek Falls
Spencer, TN · Van Buren County · Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 74 reviews. 85% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Accessed by a hiking trail, this hard-to-find, 85-foot waterfall features a peaceful swimming spot." It is one of 44 named falls in the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment region. Cascades Rockhouse is only under 0.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Spencer, about 8.7 miles to the northwest.
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14. Bald River Falls
Madisonville, TN · Monroe County · Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 62 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 18 named falls in the Great Smoky Mountains and Unaka Range region. The nearest town is Madisonville, about 17 miles to the northwest.
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15. Little Falls
Manchester, TN · Coffee County · Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 11 reviews. It is one of 26 named falls in the Highland Rim and Central Basin Edge region. Bluehole Falls is only 0.2 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Manchester, about 0.9 miles to the east.
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: Benton, Sparta, Manchester, Roan Mountain, Spencer, Baxter, Rockwood, Jamestown.
More Tennessee Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Tennessee?
Benton Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 219 Google reviews. It is near Benton in Polk County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 56 publicly accessible Tennessee waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands.
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.