Discover Cookeville, Tennessee’s natural beauty by exploring some of its stunning waterfall trails. From easy hikes to challenging treks, there’s a waterfall trail for every level of adventurer.
43 Wondrous Waterfalls Near Cookeville, TN
There is a difference between a waterfall and a cascade. Waterfalls free fall to the ground and cascades cascade over rocks. For this article, though, I am counting both waterfalls and cascades as the same thing.
This list includes waterfalls up to an hour and a half drive away from Cookeville, but most are much closer than that.
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s most visited parks, partly due to its location in the Cane Creek Gorge, which has created several waterfalls and cascades in the park.
1. Cane Creek Falls
Getting to the base of this waterfall requires holding onto a chain while working your way down a very rocky and steep hill. It isn’t a hike everyone will enjoy, but the hard work pays off as you are treated to a water-filled oasis.
2. Rock House Falls
Rock House Falls is beside Cane Creek Falls, but is much higher.
3. Cane Creek Cascades
You can view this cascade from above using the overlook or if you are adventurous, you can go out on the rocks and get close to the side of the waterfall.
If you do decide to get close to its base, use caution as the spray from the powerful cascade creates slippery rocks.
4. Fall Creek Falls
At 256 feet in height, this is one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern United States.
You can see this impressive waterfall clearly from the overlook, which isn’t far from a parking lot.
5. Coon Creek Falls (seasonal)
However, if you are able, I would recommend taking the short hike down to the base of the Falls. At the end of the trail, you will find plenty of rocks to sit on while you soak up the beauty of the surrounding area.
When we went in Mid-December, the seasonal Coon Creek Falls that flows beside Fall Creek Falls was flowing as well.
6. Piney Creek Falls
Only extremely skilled hikers should attempt to hike to the base of Piney Creek Falls, but the rest of us can view it from above.
Here is our post sharing everything there is to do in Fall Creek Falls State Park.
Virgin Falls Natural Area
Here, a challenging 8.1-mile trail will take you past all three waterfalls and several caves (closed to recreational use for white-nose syndrome prevention). However, the waterfalls are far apart so you could shorten the hike and view just one or two.
7. Virgin Falls
Virgin Falls is located where an underground stream emerges from a cave and then plummets into a sinkhole cave below.
8. Big Laurel Falls
Located around two miles from the trailhead.
9. Sheep Cave Falls
Located less than a mile from the trailhead.
10. Big Branch Falls
It is located roughly a mile and a quarter from the trailhead.
Burgess Falls State Park
Burgess Falls State Park is on the eastern edge of the Eastern Highland Rim. It is known for its four waterfalls but also contains a diverse forest containing over 300 tree species, including Eastern Hemlock, Tulip Poplar, Buckeye, and Beech.
11. Falling Water Cascades
In summer’s heat, you will see park visitors splashing around near the Falling Water Cascades.
12. Little Falls (Lower Falls)
Above Little Falls, you will see the remains of a swinging bridge just past the bottom of the falls.
13. Middle Falls
My picture doesn’t do well at showing this falls eighty feet in height.
14. Burgess Falls
From the state park trail, you can only view Burgess Falls from the top, but several times a year, the park’s system offers group kayaking rides to its base.
Window Cliffs Natural Area
It is located just a short way from Burgess Falls.
15. Unnamed waterfall
This 275-acre natural area contains several small cascades and a 20-foot waterfall; all appear to have no official names.
Cummins Falls State Park
Once upon a time, Cummins Falls was a local swimming hole known only to Jackson and Putnam Counties’ residents. Now it is so popular that you need a gorge access permit to hike to the base of the waterfall.
16. Cummins Falls
Cummins Falls is Tennessee’s eighth-largest waterfall by volume and height. It is located on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River.
City Lake Natural Area
17. City Lake Falls
At less than a 15-minute drive from downtown, this waterfall is the closest to Cookeville.
Rock Island State Park
Rock Island State Park has some of the most impressive waterfalls I have ever seen. The park is located at the headwaters of Center Hill Lake Rock
18. Great Falls
19. Twin Falls
There is no trail access to the bottom of Twin Falls, but you can view them from the overlook at the end of Powerhouse Road.
If you want to get closer, you can take the stairs down to view them from the opposite side of the river. Be aware that the water in the gorge rises quickly when the dam is released. Visitors are advised to consult TVA’s Water Release Schedule before visiting the area.
Honorable mention: Blue Hole Trail
I can’t find anything that mentions the waterfalls and cascades I saw along the Blue Hole Trail in Rock Island State Park, let alone names for them. Perhaps these are only seasonal and we were there at just the right time.
This is one of the most beautiful hikes in the area. You head down a metal staircase attached to a rock cliff. After that, you work your way down a narrow path that has you crossing several small streams of water that have oozed their way out of the rocks above. At the bottom, you look up and see a wall of water falling out of the rock cliff into the Blue Hole.
Private Land But Permitted (Some With Fees)
20. Lower Waterloo Falls
21. Upper Waterloo Falls
Access to both Lower and Upper Waterloo Falls is available to the public through a River Access Ticket bought online at Waterloo Avenue and Events.
The ticket also gives you access to a picnic area and public washrooms. Visitors can bring coolers full of snacks and spend the day enjoying the falls.
22. Rutledge Falls
The owners of the property do not charge a fee to visit. You can park at Rutledge Falls Baptist Church and walk less than half a mile to the Falls.
Free access to this is such a gift so leave no trace. Even better, take a trash bag and gloves along and pick up what disrespectful people left behind.
23. Carmac Falls
Carmac Falls is located on the property of Evins Mill Resort. To access it, you need to visit their website, find the day trip package, and call the number found there. The package includes access to the trails to the top and bottom of the falls and permission to swim at its base. You also get a bagged lunch for two and access to a variety of other activities the lodge has to offer from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Savage Gulf State Park
I have seen beautiful pictures of this area and hope to hike it one day. It is a whopping 19,000 acres and contains seven waterfalls.
24. Greeter Falls
25. Broadtree Falls
26. Suter Falls
27. Horsepound Falls
28. Ranger Creek Falls
29. Savage Falls
30. Laurel Falls
Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area
31. Stinging Fork Falls
The hike to the falls is 1.9 miles round trip.
Piney Falls State Natural Area
This area is a National Natural Landmark best known for its old-growth forest. The trail to both waterfalls is just over a mile and a half round trip.
32. Lower Piney Falls
33. Upper Piney Falls
Lost Creek Falls State Natural Area
This area was used for several scenes in Walt Disney’s 1994 production of The Jungle Book.
34. Lost Creek Falls
35. Rylander Cascades
36. Dry Creek Falls
Colditz Cove
37. Northrup Falls
I love a waterfall that you can walk all the way around!
Frozen Head State Park
This state park is home to the extremely difficult Barkley Ultra Marathon, but in this article we are chasing waterfalls, not medals.
38. Debord Falls
It’s a relatively easy 1.2-mile hike.
39. Emory Gap Falls
Going to Emory Gap Falls after Debord doubles your hike and adds a few more hills, but it is worth it!
Roadside Waterfalls
40. Wildcat Falls (somewhat seasonal)
This waterfall is right off of I-70. Reviewers say the safest way to stop and see it is to park up the hill at Sunset Rock and then walk down to view it.
41. Roaring River Falls
This waterfall is less than a ten-minute drive from Waterloo Falls. The trail is super short; reaching the falls takes less than five minutes.
42. Ozone Falls
Found within Ozone Falls State Natural Area.
43. Middle Fork Falls
Right off the road near Olive, Tenn. There are no signs, but reviewers say GPS takes you right to the parking lot. From there, it is a short walk to the bottom of the Falls.
This list is certainly not all-inclusive as Cookville is said to have over 150 waterfalls within a 40-mile radius, but it should keep you busy for quite a while! Happy waterfall chasing!
More Tennessee Articles
Leave a Reply