Rhea County, Tennessee

Waterfalls Near Dayton, TN

25 named waterfalls lie within 30 miles of Dayton, 4 of them inside 10 miles. Laurel Falls is the closest at 3.8 miles to the north. Virgin Falls earns the best visitor rating nearby (5.0 stars from 41 Google reviews).

Distances are straight-line from the town center. Driving routes are longer.

Photo of Fall Creek Falls in Van Buren County, Tennessee
Pictured: Fall Creek Falls, TN

Best Waterfalls Near Dayton at a Glance

Photo of Virgin Falls near Sparta, TN
Highest rated

Virgin Falls

5.0 stars from 41 Google reviews.

Photo of Falling Water Falls, a waterfall 0.2 miles from Slider Falls
Pictured: nearby Falling Water Falls (0.2 mi)
With recorded history

Slider Falls

Has a USGS description or naming history.

25 Waterfalls Near Dayton, Ranked by Distance

  1. Laurel Falls

    Dayton, TN · Rhea County · 3.8 mi north of Dayton
    4.4 (23 reviews)

    Laurel Falls is the closest named waterfall to Dayton, 3.8 miles to the north in Rhea County. It ranks 10th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton.

    Rating
    4.4 (23 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rhea County, TN 37321 (GPS 35.5476, -85.0241)
  2. Morphy Falls

    Dayton, TN · Rhea County · 3.9 mi northwest of Dayton

    Morphy Falls lies 3.9 miles northwest of Dayton in Rhea County, number 2 of 25 by distance.

    Address
    Rhea County, TN (GPS 35.5350, -85.0597)
  3. Snow Falls

    Dayton, TN · Rhea County · 3.9 mi north of Dayton
    4.3 (9 reviews)

    Snow Falls lies 3.9 miles north of Dayton in Rhea County, number 3 of 25 by distance. It ranks 11th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton.

    Rating
    4.3 (9 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rhea County, TN 37321 (GPS 35.5466, -85.0387)
  4. Crystal Falls

    Pikeville, TN · Bledsoe County · 9.5 mi west of Dayton

    Crystal Falls lies 9.5 miles west of Dayton in Bledsoe County, number 4 of 25 by distance. Its own nearest town is Pikeville.

    Address
    Bledsoe County, TN (GPS 35.5198, -85.1779)
  5. Hilliard Falls

    Pikeville, TN · Bledsoe County · 11 mi north of Dayton

    Hilliard Falls lies 11 miles north of Dayton in Bledsoe County, number 5 of 25 by distance. Its own nearest town is Pikeville.

    Address
    Bledsoe County, TN (GPS 35.6506, -85.0611)
  6. Stinging Fork Falls

    Spring City, TN · Rhea County · 16 mi north of Dayton

    Stinging Fork Falls lies 16 miles north of Dayton in Rhea County, number 6 of 25 by distance. Its own nearest town is Spring City.

    Address
    Rhea County, TN (GPS 35.7211, -84.9271)
  7. Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area

    Spring City, TN · Rhea County · 16 mi north of Dayton
    4.7 (84 reviews)

    Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area lies 16 miles north of Dayton in Rhea County, number 7 of 25 by distance. It ranks 5th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. 30-ft. waterfall over a rocky ledge, accessed by a moderate hike amid woods, moss & boulders.

    Rating
    4.7 (84 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rhea County, TN 37381 (GPS 35.7220, -84.9266)
  8. Lower Piney Falls

    Spring City, TN · Rhea County · 18 mi northeast of Dayton
    4.6 (28 reviews)

    Lower Piney Falls lies 18 miles northeast of Dayton in Rhea County, number 8 of 25 by distance. It ranks 9th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. Its own nearest town is Spring City.

    Rating
    4.6 (28 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rhea County, TN 37337 (GPS 35.7288, -84.8655)
  9. Upper Piney Falls

    Spring City, TN · Rhea County · 18 mi northeast of Dayton
    4.6 (97 reviews)

    Upper Piney Falls lies 18 miles northeast of Dayton in Rhea County, number 9 of 25 by distance. It ranks 4th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. Visitors can walk behind this scenic, 80-foot cascade accessible via a modest hike.

    Rating
    4.6 (97 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rhea County, TN 37337 (GPS 35.7310, -84.8635)
    Website
    gowaterfalling.com
  10. Ray Falls

    Spring City, TN · Rhea County · 22 mi northeast of Dayton
    2.3 (3 reviews)

    Ray Falls lies 22 miles northeast of Dayton in Rhea County, number 10 of 25 by distance. It ranks 16th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. Its own nearest town is Spring City.

    Rating
    2.3 (3 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rhea County, TN 37337 (GPS 35.7814, -84.8422)
  11. Cascades Rockhouse

    Spencer, TN · Van Buren County · 22 mi northwest of Dayton
    4.8 (6 reviews)

    Cascades Rockhouse lies 22 miles northwest of Dayton in Van Buren County, number 11 of 25 by distance. It ranks 14th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. Its own nearest town is Spencer.

    Rating
    4.8 (6 Google reviews)
    Address
    Van Buren County, TN 37367 (GPS 35.6632, -85.3491)
  12. Cane Creek Falls

    Spencer, TN · Van Buren County · 22 mi northwest of Dayton
    4.8 (74 reviews)

    Cane Creek Falls lies 22 miles northwest of Dayton in Van Buren County, number 12 of 25 by distance. It ranks 6th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. Accessed by a hiking trail, this hard-to-find, 85-foot waterfall features a peaceful swimming spot.

    Rating
    4.8 (74 Google reviews)
    Address
    Van Buren County, TN 37367 (GPS 35.6628, -85.3505)
  13. Fall Creek Falls

    Spencer, TN · Van Buren County · 23 mi northwest of Dayton
    4.8 (572 reviews)

    Fall Creek Falls lies 23 miles northwest of Dayton in Van Buren County, number 13 of 25 by distance. It draws more Google reviews than any other waterfall near Dayton. This striking 256-ft waterfall in a forest has an overlook with a trail down to its plunge pool.

    Rating
    4.8 (572 Google reviews)
    Address
    Van Buren County, TN 37367 (GPS 35.6659, -85.3558)
  14. Piney Creek Falls

    Spencer, TN · Van Buren County · 24 mi northwest of Dayton
    4.8 (33 reviews)

    Piney Creek Falls lies 24 miles northwest of Dayton in Van Buren County, number 14 of 25 by distance. It ranks 8th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. Its own nearest town is Spencer.

    Rating
    4.8 (33 Google reviews)
    Address
    Van Buren County, TN 38585 (GPS 35.6731, -85.3841)
  15. Laurel Falls

    Rockwood, TN · Rhea County · 25 mi northeast of Dayton
    3.2 (9 reviews)

    Laurel Falls lies 25 miles northeast of Dayton in Rhea County, number 15 of 25 by distance. It ranks 12th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. Its own nearest town is Rockwood.

    Rating
    3.2 (9 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rhea County, TN 37381 (GPS 35.8015, -84.7899)
  16. Hemlock Falls

    Spencer, TN · Van Buren County · 25 mi northwest of Dayton

    Hemlock Falls lies 25 miles northwest of Dayton in Van Buren County, number 16 of 25 by distance. Its own nearest town is Spencer.

    Address
    Van Buren County, TN (GPS 35.7348, -85.3527)
  17. Slider Falls

    Falling Water, TN · Hamilton County · 26 mi southwest of Dayton

    Slider Falls lies 26 miles southwest of Dayton in Hamilton County, number 17 of 25 by distance. USGS notes: approx. 10 ft. tall; on Falling Water Creek in Pickett Gulf, 1.8 mi. SW of Falling Water

    Address
    Hamilton County, TN (GPS 35.1932, -85.2838)
  18. Flatrock Falls

    Falling Water, TN · Hamilton County · 26 mi southwest of Dayton

    Flatrock Falls lies 26 miles southwest of Dayton in Hamilton County, number 18 of 25 by distance. USGS notes: approx. 25 ft. high; located just outside Falling Water Falls Natural Area on the Cumberland Escarpment, 2.4 mi. ENE of Fairmount, 6.7 mi. NW of Chickamauga Dam

    Address
    Hamilton County, TN (GPS 35.1933, -85.2842)
  19. Freudenberg Falls

    Falling Water, TN · Hamilton County · 26 mi southwest of Dayton

    Freudenberg Falls lies 26 miles southwest of Dayton in Hamilton County, number 19 of 25 by distance. USGS notes: Approx. 40 ft. high; located in Falling Water Falls Natural Area, 2 mi. SW of the community of Falling Water, 2 mi. ENE of Fairmount

    Address
    Hamilton County, TN (GPS 35.1938, -85.2858)
  20. Falling Water Falls

    Falling Water, TN · Hamilton County · 26 mi southwest of Dayton
    4.6 (107 reviews)

    Falling Water Falls lies 26 miles southwest of Dayton in Hamilton County, number 20 of 25 by distance. It ranks 3rd for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. Its own nearest town is Falling Water.

    Rating
    4.6 (107 Google reviews)
    Address
    Falling Water, TN 37377
  21. Rockstack Falls

    Fairmount, TN · Hamilton County · 26 mi southwest of Dayton

    Rockstack Falls lies 26 miles southwest of Dayton in Hamilton County, number 21 of 25 by distance. USGS notes: approx. 40 ft. high; located along Falling Water Creek, 1.7 mi. NE of Fairmount

    Address
    Hamilton County, TN (GPS 35.1937, -85.2977)
  22. Basin Falls

    Rockwood, TN · Cumberland County · 27 mi north of Dayton
    1.8 (4 reviews)

    Basin Falls lies 27 miles north of Dayton in Cumberland County, number 22 of 25 by distance. It ranks 15th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. Its own nearest town is Rockwood.

    Rating
    1.8 (4 Google reviews)
    Address
    Cumberland County, TN 37337 (GPS 35.8520, -84.8324)
  23. Ozone Falls

    Rockwood, TN · Cumberland County · 29 mi northeast of Dayton
    4.8 (432 reviews)

    Ozone Falls lies 29 miles northeast of Dayton in Cumberland County, number 23 of 25 by distance. It ranks 2nd for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. Its own nearest town is Rockwood.

    Rating
    4.8 (432 Google reviews)
    Address
    Cumberland County, TN 37854 (GPS 35.8801, -84.8111)
  24. Virgin Falls

    Sparta, TN · White County · 30 mi northwest of Dayton
    5.0 (41 reviews)

    Virgin Falls lies 30 miles northwest of Dayton in White County, number 24 of 25 by distance. It ranks 7th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. Its own nearest town is Sparta.

    Rating
    5.0 (41 Google reviews)
    Address
    White County, TN 38583 (GPS 35.8392, -85.3308)
  25. Pilot Falls

    Lake Tansi, TN · Cumberland County · 30 mi north of Dayton
    3.4 (8 reviews)

    Pilot Falls lies 30 miles north of Dayton in Cumberland County, number 25 of 25 by distance. It ranks 13th for review count among waterfalls near Dayton. Its own nearest town is Lake Tansi.

    Rating
    3.4 (8 Google reviews)
    Address
    Cumberland County, TN 38572 (GPS 35.8934, -85.2161)

Where the Waterfalls Are

Dayton sits in or near the Cumberland Plateau and Escarpment area of Tennessee. The plateau is Tennessee's waterfall heartland. Fall Creek Falls drops into a deep, forested gorge in one of the state's largest parks, with an overlook above and a trail down to the plunge pool. Foster Falls, in Marion County, falls over a sandstone rim into a cliff-lined amphitheater, and Ozone Falls in Cumberland County plunges off a ledge close to the highway. Along the escarpment above the Tennessee River valley, Rhea and Hamilton counties hold numerous gorge falls, including Falling Water Falls near Chattanooga. Ruby Falls, inside Lookout Mountain, offers a cave tour to an underground waterfall rather than a hike. Read the Tennessee waterfall guide.

By direction from Dayton: 7 to the north, 7 to the northwest, 5 to the northeast, 5 to the southwest, and 1 to the west. They are spread across Rhea County (9), Van Buren County (5), Hamilton County (5), Cumberland County (3), Bledsoe County (2), and White County (1). The average distance is 20.4 miles.

By Distance

Within 10 miles of Dayton

Laurel Falls (3.8 mi), Morphy Falls (3.9 mi), Snow Falls (3.9 mi), Crystal Falls (9.5 mi)

10 to 20 miles of Dayton

Hilliard Falls (11 mi), Stinging Fork Falls (16 mi), Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area (16 mi), Lower Piney Falls (18 mi), Upper Piney Falls (18 mi)

20 to 30 miles of Dayton

Ray Falls (22 mi), Cascades Rockhouse (22 mi), Cane Creek Falls (22 mi), Fall Creek Falls (23 mi), Piney Creek Falls (24 mi), Laurel Falls (25 mi), Hemlock Falls (25 mi), Slider Falls (26 mi), Flatrock Falls (26 mi), Freudenberg Falls (26 mi), Falling Water Falls (26 mi), Rockstack Falls (26 mi), Basin Falls (27 mi), Ozone Falls (29 mi), Virgin Falls (30 mi), Pilot Falls (30 mi)

Nearby Towns With Waterfalls

Waterfalls Near Dayton: FAQs

How many waterfalls are near Dayton, TN?

25 named waterfalls lie within 30 miles of Dayton: 4 within 10 miles, 5 10 to 20 miles, 16 20 to 30 miles. Distances are straight-line from the town center.

What is the closest waterfall to Dayton?

Laurel Falls in Rhea County is the closest, about 3.8 miles north of Dayton.

What is the best-rated waterfall near Dayton?

Virgin Falls has the highest Google rating among nearby falls with at least 10 reviews: 5.0 stars from 41 Google reviews. The most reviewed is Fall Creek Falls.

Which counties are the waterfalls near Dayton in?

Rhea County (9), Van Buren County (5), Hamilton County (5), Cumberland County (3), and Bledsoe County (2).

How does Dayton compare with other Tennessee towns?

Dayton ranks 3rd of the 42 Tennessee towns in our directory for the number of waterfalls within 30 miles.