Waterfall Wonder by Southeast Tennessee Tourism Association

7/25/2019 Waterfall Wonder by Southeast Tennessee Tourism Association

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Waterfall Wonder

Waterfalls to visit in Southeast ennessee



Come explore the falling waters that have sculptedSoutheast ennessee’s scenic landscape. here’s just no

better way to experience the region’s lush green landscape

than by sitting on a warm boulder in the misty realm of a

waterfall or hiking alongside a cascading creek.

Waterfall Wonder features some of the most scenic and

accessible waterfalls on public lands in Southeast ennessee,

from impressive veils of water plunging over cliffs to

cascades tumbling over rocky outcroppings. his guide

spans the 10 counties of Southeast ennessee, from South

Cumberland State Park on the Cumberland Plateau, northto Fall Creek Falls State Park, south along sections of the

Cumberland rail in Dayton and the Greater Chattanooga

Area, and east to the Cherokee National Forest.

6. Ranger Creek Falls

7. Savage Falls

ORME

NIOTA

WALDEN

PALMER

JASPER

ETOWAH

ATHENS

BENTON

DAYTON

DUNLAP

KIMBALL

CALHOUN

DECATUR

RED BANK

LAKESITE

COALMONT

ALTAMONT

WHITWELL

NEW HOPE

DUCKTOWN

MONTEAGLE

CLEVELAND

RIDGESIDE

PIKEVILLE

ENGLEWOOD

CHARLESTON

EAST RIDGE

TRACY CITY

COPPERHILL

GRAYSVILLE

SODDY-DAISY

COLLEGEDALE

CHATTANOOGA

SPRING CITY

GRUETLI-LAAGER

SIGNAL MOUNTAIN

SOUTH PITTSBURG

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN

BEERSHEBA SPRINGS

POWELLS CROSSROADS

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R H E AR H E A

B L E D S O EB L E D S O E

M E I G SM E I G S

M C M I N NM C M I N N

S E Q U A T C H I ES E Q U A T C H I E

G R U N D YG R U N D Y

H A M I L T O NH A M I L T O N

B R A D L E YB R A D L E Y

M A R I O NM A R I O NP O L KP O L K

BLEDSOE

STATE

FOREST

FALL CREEK

FALLS

STATE PARK

SOUTH

CUMBERLAND

STATE PARK

FRANKLIN

STATE

FOREST

HARRISON BAY

STATE

PARK

PRENTICE COOPER

STATE

FOREST

CHESTER

FROST

PARK

RED CLAY

STATE

HIST PARK

CHEROKEE

NATIONAL

FOREST

Ocoee River

Ocoee Lake

Hiwassee

River

Piney

River

Chickamauga

Lake

Nickajack

Lake

Tennessee

River

Tennessee

River

Tennessee

River

Watts Bar

Lake

FOSTER FALLS

PARK

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¬ « 285

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£ ¤411

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£ ¤127

£ ¤41

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BOOKER T.

WASHINGTON

STATE PARK

HIWASSEE

OCOEE

STATE PARK

HIWASSEE

WILDLIFE

REFUGE

GRUNDY LAKES

STATE PARK

GRUNDY FOREST

STATE NATURAL AREA

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Blue Hole

Leashed DogsWelcome

ModerateHike

Easy Hike

DifficultHike

Restrooms

On the Cover:

Layla at Imodium Falls, Soddy-Daisy, N

Photo courtesy o Roger King

Icon Legend Waterfalls of Southeast ennessee

South Cumberland State Park

1. Foster Falls

2. Sycamore Falls and Bluehole Falls

3. Suter Falls and Horsepound Falls

4. Greeter Falls and Boardtree Falls

5. Laurel Falls

Cumberland Trail

9. Laurel Falls and Snow Falls

10. Imodium & Richey Ridge Falls

11. Big Soddy Creek Gulf Waterfall

12. Upper & Lower Piney Falls

Cherokee National Forest

13. Benton Falls

14. Gee Greek Falls

15. Coker Creek Falls

16. urtletown Falls

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8. Fall Creek Falls

Fall Creek, Piney, Cane Creek,

Cane Creek Cascades & Rockhouse Falls



Waterfalls within South Cumberland State Park

South Cumberland State Park is composed of approximately25,539 acres in nine separate sections of the park. Part of theCumberland Plateau, the area features spectacular waterfalls,blue holes, hiking trails, rock climbing and backcountrycamping.

South Cumberland State Park Visitor Center

11745 US-41Monteagle, NPh. 931-924-2980Open Mon. through Sun. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CShttp://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/south-cumberlandStone Door and Savage Gulf Ranger Stations open on Sat. & Sun.

Foster Falls (60 feet)

Foster Falls Small Wild Area along Fiery Gizzard railSequatchie, N

Foster Falls is a spectacular 60-oot waterall plunging into adeep pool o water. It’s a quick and easy walk along a handi-capped-accessible trail to the overlook at Foster Falls. From

there, a more difficult trail leads to a suspension bridge at thebase o the alls (1 mile round-trip). Backcountry camping atFather Adamz Campground off the Climber’s Loop rail and

vehicle camping at Foster Falls. Reservations:http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/south-cumberland.

Directions:

From Chattanooga, take I-24 W to N-28 N in Jasper (exit155). Follow signs or US-41 N/N-150 toward racy City.Follow N-150 to the top o the plateau and proceed 3 milesto Foster Falls Road on the lef, which leads to the Foster Fallsparking lot.

From racy City, travel approx. 8 miles on US-41 S to FosterFalls Road. urn right to Foster Falls parking lot.

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GPS Waypoint:35.18177, -85.676



Sycamore Falls (12 feet) and Bluehole Falls (9 feet)

Grundy Forest State Natural Area along Fiery Gizzard railracy City, N

Tis moderate 2.6-mile round-trip hike starts as the GrundyDay Loop andtakes you past Bluehole Falls, Black CanyonCascades and some interesting geologic ormations. ake the

short 0.6-mile spur trail (Fiery Gizzard rail to arrive atSycamore Falls. ake a dip in swimming holes at bothwateralls.

Directions:

From Chattanooga, take I-24 W to exit 135 in Monteagle andcontinue right. urn right to ollow US-41 S toward racy City.Follow signs to Grundy Forest State Natural Area parking loton right.

Suter Falls (50 feet) and Horsepound Falls (25 feet)

Savage Gulf State Natural Area at Collins Gulf Near Gruetli-Laager and Palmer, N

From the parking area trailhead, take a short access trail and

turn lef onto the Collins Gul rail or a challenging 2-mileround-trip hike to Suter Falls. Watch or some interesting rockshelters and high bluffs along the way. From Suter Falls,continue on the Collins Gul rail an additional 3.6 miles(round-trip rom Suter Falls) into the gorge to arrive atHorsepound Falls, where local residents hid their ammunitionand horses rom the advancing Union Army during theCivil War.

Directions: From Chattanooga, take I-24 W to exit 155 (Jasper). akeN-28 N to Whitwell. urn lef on N-108 N toward

Gruetli-Laager. urn right on 55th Ave. Look or signsor Collins Gul parking area on the lef.

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GPS Waypoints:35.2463, -85.7549335.2504, -85.7506

GPS Waypoints:35.4109, -85.597435.429, -85.6022



Greeter Falls (50 feet) and Boardtree Falls (30 feet)

Savage Gulf State Natural Area in Stone Door AreaAltamont, N

Firescald Creek spills over Greeter Falls, which consists o a15-oot upper waterall and 50-oot lower waterall. It’s a2.25-mile round-trip hike along the Greeter Falls Loop rail to

experience both the upper and lower sections o Greeter Falls,as well as Boardtree Falls. A metal spiral staircase descends thebluff, leading to the lower section o Greeter Falls and a bluehole. From the Greeter Falls Loop rail, a 1-mile (round-trip)spur trail on the right heads down to a blue hole alongFirescald Creek.

Directions: From Chattanooga, take I-24 W to exit 135 in Monteagleand continue right. urn right to ollow US-41 S approx.5.5 miles toward racy City. urn lef on N-56 N. Aferpassing through Altamont, look or the Greeter Falls sign

on the right. Follow that road or less than a mile to theGreeter Falls parking lot.

Laurel Falls (25 feet)

Savage Gulf State Natural Area in Stone Door AreaBeersheba Springs, N

It‘s a short 0.3-mile round-trip hike rom the Stone DoorRanger Station to view the overlook o Laurel Falls, whereLaurel Creek drops 25 eet off a bluff with a hollowed-outamphitheater behind it into a pool o blue water. A longwooden staircase leads to the base o the alls. Look orremaining oundation stones rom a mill that onceoperated along the creek.

Directions:

From Chattanooga, take I-24 W to exit 135 in Monteagle andcontinue right. urn right to ollow US-41 S approx. 5.5 milestoward racy City. urn lef on N-56 N toward Coalmont.urn right on Stone Door Rd. in Beersheba Springs and travel1.5 miles to Stone Door Ranger’s Station parking lot on lef.

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GPS Waypoints:35.4343, -85.6962435.436, -85.6936

GPS Waypoint:35.4468, -85.6536



Ranger Creek Falls (30 feet)

Savage Gulf State Natural Area in Stone Door AreaBeersheba Springs, N

From the Stone Door Ranger’s Station, it’s a rugged 6.6-mileround-trip hike into the Big Creek Gorge to see Ranger CreekFalls, the widest waterall in South Cumberland State Park.ake the Stone Door rail to the Big Creek Gul rail. At theintersection o Stone Door rail and Big Creek Gul rail,

check out Great Stone Door Bluffs and walk down throughthe Great Stone Door Staircase. At the bottom o the Staircase,ollow the trail 2-miles to the Ranger Creek Falls rail, whichleads to the waterall.

Directions:

From Chattanooga, take I-24 W to exit 135 in Monteagle andcontinue right. urn right to ollow US-41 S approx. 5.5 milestoward racy City. urn lef on N-56 N. toward Coalmont.urn right on Stone Door Rd. and travel 1.5 miles to StoneDoor Ranger’s Station parking lot on lef.

Savage Falls (30 feet)

Savage Gulf State Natural Area in Savage Gulf AreaPalmer, N

From the Savage Gul Ranger Station, it’s a 3.4-mile round-triphike to Savage Falls. Along the way, enjoy two swinging bridgesacross Boyd Branch and Savage Creek. ake the Savage DayLoop rail, turn lef at the Loop Junction, and turn lef on theSouth Rim rail, which leads to Savage Falls. Enjoy swimmingat the base o the alls. Savage Falls Campground offers eightbackcountry camping sites within 100 yards rom the alls.Reservations:http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/south-cumberland.

Directions: From Chattanooga, take US-27 N to N-111 N. Afer 47 miles,turn lef on N-399 W to the Savage Gul Ranger’s Stationparking lot.

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GPS Waypoint:35.422839, -85.660192

GPS Waypoint:35.4411, -85.5537



Waterfalls atFall Creek Falls State Park:

Fall Creek Falls State Park is ennessee’s largest and most- visited state park, encompassing more than 26,000 acres atopthe Cumberland Plateau. Te park is located 18 miles westof Pikeville and 11 miles east of Spencer. In addition to FallCreek Falls, the tallest waterfall in the eastern United States,the park features more than 34 miles of trails and multiple

waterfalls, an inn, restaurant, cabins and campsites, a golfcourse, pool, horseback riding and a nature center.

Fall Creek Falls State Park

2009 Village Camp RoadSpencer, N 38585423-881-5298http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/fall-creek-falls

Fall Creek Falls (256 feet)

Fall Creek Falls State Park Nearby to Pikeville, N

At 256 eet, Fall Creek Falls is the tallest waterall in the easternUnited States. It’s a quick and easy walk to the overlook at Fall

Creek Falls. Te Fall Creek Falls rail is a more challenging3-mile loop trail that leads to the bottom o the alls. Othertrails throughout the park offer views o Fall Creek Falls andother wateralls, including Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls,Cane Creek Cascades and Rockhouse Falls.

Directions:

From Chattanooga, take US-27 N to N-111 N. ravel 50miles and turn right on N-284 E to the entrance o Fall CreekFalls State Park.

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GPS Waypoint:35.66583, -85.35583



Laurel Falls (80 feet) and Snow Falls (35 feet)

Te Cumberland rail: Laurel-Snow State Natural AreaDayton, N

Te Laurel-Snow section o the Cumberland rail is an areao gorges cut into Walden’s Ridge, part o the CumberlandPlateau. From the trailhead, it is 1.7 miles to the split where the

Laurel Falls spur trail orks to the right and the Snow Falls spurtrail orks to the lef. ake the steep Laurel Falls spur trail 0.7miles to the base o the alls and continue on to the top o thealls and to two overlooks or a 6.6-mile round-trip hike romthe trailhead. Te hike to Snow Falls, which is located at theend o the Snow Falls spur trail, is a moderate 9.6 milesround-trip rom the trailhead.

Directions:

From Chattanooga, take US-27 N toward Dayton. urn lefon Walnut Grove Rd. Continue 0.7-mile and turn lef on BackValley Rd. In 0.7-mile, turn right on gravel road or Lau-rel-Snow State Natural Area. Proceed 1 mile to the parking loton Richland Creek Rd.

Waterfalls of the Cumberland Tail:

Te Cumberland rail traverses 190 miles of theCumberland Plateau, spanning 11 counties in Eastennessee. Tis developing trail system, which currentlyfeatures 15 segments, offers hikers access to remote areas withspectacular overlooks, waterfalls and wilderness experiencesthat are trademarks of the southeastern United States.

Cumberland Trail State Park

220 Park Rd.Caryville, N 37714423-566-2229www.cumberlandtrail.org

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GPS Waypoints: 35.5472, -85.0239635.54667, -85.03861



Richey Ridge Falls ( 18 feet) and Imodium Falls (25 feet)

(aka Little Possum Creek Falls)

Te Cumberland rail: Possum Gorge SegmentDoddy Daisy, N

It’s a short and easy walk rom parking to view Richey RidgeFalls, an 18-oot wet-weather cascade along the Cumberlandrail. From Richey Ridge Falls, continue on or a morechallenging 9-mile round-trip hike to Imodium Falls(aka Little Possum Creek Falls).

Directions:

From Chattanooga, ollow US-27 N through Soddy Daisy.Follow N-111 N and proceed 5 miles to the Jones Gap Roadexit and turn right. Immediately turn right on Heiss MountainRoad, go 0.5 mile. Look or the trailhead with Cumberlandrail signage. Parking is available along the side o the road.

Big Soddy Creek Gulf Waterfall

(30 feet)Connects to the Cumberland railSoddy-Daisy, N

It’s an easy 2-mile round-trip hike along an old mining roadto this slight but lovely waterall that tumbles over a rock walland into Big Soddy Creek. Tis amily-riendly trail ollowsalongside the cascading river and includes stops or wadingand skipping rocks.

Directions:

From Chattanooga, take US-27 N to Hwy. 111 N. ake BackValley Road exit and turn lef on Back Valley Road. Pass underhighway and ollow sign to parking area on the right.

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GPS Waypoints: 35.3469, -85.1755 35.3674, -85.1753

GPS Waypoint35.3066, -85.1795



Waterfalls within the Cherokee National Forest:

Home to the Ocoee and Hiwassee rivers, the CherokeeNational Forest – the largest tract of public land in ennessee- is a landscape defined by cascades, rapids and scenic waters.Te Forest also offers numerous opportunities for hiking,paddling, biking and camping.

Note: Dogs are allowed within most areas of the CherokeeNational Forest, but must be on leash at all times. Te Forest isa multiple-use forest, which means you may cross paths withhorseback riders, mountain bikers and four-wheelers on thetrail. Also, keep in mind that black bears reside in theCherokee National Forest and encounters may pose a threat.

Upper Piney Falls (80 feet) and Lower Piney Falls (40 feet)

Te Cumberland rail:Piney Falls Designated State Natural AreaGrandview, N

Tis 2.2-mile round-trip trail will take you to where LittlePiney Creek plunges some 80 eet over Upper Piney Falls intoa pool below, and then drops another 40 eet over Lower Piney

Falls. From the parking lot, ollow the trail along an old dirtroad or about a hal mile until you come to a ork in trail. Tetrail to the right leads to the ledge overlook o Upper PineyFalls (use caution on ledges!) and a trail to the lef leads to thebase o the alls down in the gorge. Tese two trails eventuallyconnect i you wish to hike the ull loop. Te Lower Falls is noteasily accessible by the main trail or viewing.

Directions:

From Chattanooga, ollow US-27 N to N-68 N in Spring City.Follow N-68 N into the Grandview Community. Look or asign or Piney Falls State Natural area and turn lef on

Firetower Road. ravel 1.5 miles to the parking areaand trailhead on the right.

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GPS Waypoint35.73111N 84.86361W

PhotoCourtesy of Ronnie Phipps



Gee Creek Falls (25 feet)

Cherokee National Forest: Gee Creek WildernessBenton, N

Gee Creek rail #191, which lies almost entirely within thecongressionally designated Gee Creek Wilderness, is an easy2.6-mile round-trip hike leading to a gorgeous double waterallthat plunges into a deep pool. Look or a concrete water dividerwithin the creek that was used in the late 1800s to wash mined

silica during the region’s mining era. Tis is a hiking-onlytrail. Recreation in congressionally designated Wilderness isintended to be primitive in nature and group size is limited to12 people. For more inormation, visit www.wilderness.net.

Directions:

From Chattanooga, take I-75 N to exit 20 (Cleveland) and turnright on US-74 E. ravel US-74 E or 6 miles to US-64 E. akeUS-411 N exit and travel approximately 14 miles. In Delano,turn right on Gee Creek Road and continue or 2.2 miles to thesigned trailhead, just beore a lef curve. Paved road becomesdirt road ending at FS rail #191 trailhead parking lot.

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GPS Waypoint:35.247, -84.5261

Benton Falls (65 feet)

Cherokee National Forest: Chilhowee Recreation AreaBenton, N

Located in the Chilhowee Recreation Area near the OcoeeRiver, the drive to Benton Falls ollowing the Ocoee Scenic

Byway is just as scenic as the waterall, offering overlooks oSugarloa Mountain and Parksville Lake. From the McCamyLake parking lot, take Benton Falls rail #131 or an easy3-mile round-trip hike to this stunning 65-oot-high waterall.Cool off rom your hike in the shallow pools at the bottomo the alls.

Directions:

From Chattanooga, take I-75 N to exit 20 (Cleveland) and turnright on US-74 E. ravel US-74 E or approx. 6 miles to US-64E. From US-64 E, ollow the Ocoee Scenic Byway and turnlef on FS Road 77. ravel approx. 7.5 miles to the Chilhowee

Recreation Area (McCamy Lake). rail begins to the lef o thebathhouse. Day use ee: $3

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GPS Waypoint:35.14048, -84.5961



GPS Waypoint35.19727, -84.37028

Coker Creek Falls (45 feet)

Cherokee National ForestCoker Creek, N

ake Coker Creek rail #183 or a 3-mile round-trip hike toCoker Creek Falls, a series o cascades ranging rom 5 to 45eet. Te trail ollows Coker Creek, a shallow creek perector summertime splashing.

Directions:

From Chattanooga, take I-75 N to exit 60 (Sweetwater). urnright on N-68 S and drive approx. 35 miles to Coker Creek.urn right on Ironsburg Road (County Rd. 628) and proceedapprox. 3.52 miles. urn lef on FS Road 2138 and ollowdownhill or approx. 0.92 miles to the Coker Creek Fallstrailhead parking lot.

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urtletown Falls(Upper 30 feet, Lower 40 feet)

Cherokee National Foresturtletown, N

urtletown Creek rail #185 is a moderate 3.5 mile round-triploop trail that ollows urtletown Creek and loops back toShinbone Ridge. Te hike eatures scenic views o the Hiwassee

River and overlooks o two major wateralls: Lower urtletownFalls (40’) and urtletown Falls (30’).

Directions:

From Chattanooga, take I-75 N to exit 20 (Cleveland) and turnright on US-74 E. ravel US-74 E or 6 miles to US-64 E andcontinue to Ducktown. ake N-68 N to urtletown and turnlef on Farner Rd. ravel approx. 2.8 miles to the gravel ForestService Road #1166 on the lef (not marked rom the road).Once on Forest Service Road #1166, continue approx. 1.5 milesuntil the road dead-ends at the Forest Service rail#185 trailhead.

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GPS Waypoint35.1639, -84.35276



Waterfalls and their surrounding areas are inherently

dangerous. Here are some safety tips:

• Please keep in mind the potential hazards of waterfalls.

Wear stable shoes and avoid slippery rocks or crossing in

dangerous places.

• Stay back from the waterfall’s edge, as people have been

injured or died trying to look over the edge for a better

view. Keep children away from dangerous ledges.• Many waterfalls are found in remote locations, so do not

rely on cell phone signals for safety.

• Do not jump off waterfalls or dive in waterfall pools

because of dangerous unseen objects below, including

logs and boulders.

• Black bears reside in the wooded areas of

Southeast ennessee, especially the Cherokee

National Forest. It is best for bears, visitors

and pets that a healthy respect and distance

is maintained. reat all bear encounters

with extreme caution. For more informationabout bear safety, visit:

www.Southeastennessee.com

tnstateparks com

Get the App

Waterfall Safety

produced by

www.fs.usda.gov/detail/cherokee/recreation

Documents

Waterfall Wonder by Southeast Tennessee Tourism Association