Looking for easy waterfall hikes in Tennessee? Well, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll be including easy, roadside and wheelchair accessible trails and even break them down into areas to make finding waterfalls in your area a piece of cake.
Given the size of Tennessee, we’ve broken all our our Easy waterfall hikes into several sections.
In this post, we will focus on the Southeast portion of the state including the areas around the cities of Manchester, Chattanooga, and Tellico Springs.
We also have Easy Tennessee Waterfall Hikes for the Northeast corner of Tennessee and the East Central section of Tennessee. The East Central page covers Wartburg, Crossville, Cookeville, Sparta, and Spencer. While the Northeast section covers Kingsport, Bristol, Erwin and more.
Please note: Each waterfall has a link to a separate page detailing directions, trail description and additional information.
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park/Manchester
Step Falls
From the visitor center at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, you will start down the trail that goes around the side and behind the center. Take the left fork where it splits, which will lead you along the river. Take one of the lower side trails to get a better view of Step Falls.
Follow the lower trail in the same direction you were heading until you hear the waterfall. You can see the waterfall from the trail, or you can follow some side trails further down to the river.
While we were there, we saw several people swimming and jumping into the wading pool below the falls.
Return to the main trail to continue to the other waterfalls in the Park. While the main trail is technically a loop, if all you want to do is see waterfalls, it is faster to return to the visitor’s center fork and go to the other side to view the other waterfalls located inside the park.
Blue Hole Falls
Cascading over a horseshoe shaped cliff, Blue Hole Falls, with a 60 foot width, is the widest waterfall in Old Stone State Park. Located downstream from the dam, the right side of Blue Hole Falls has a nice flow year round.
To reach Blue Hole Falls, start at the pathway by the visitor center that goes around the side and behind the center. When the trail splits, you will want to take the right fork.
Almost immediately you will come to a side trail which will allow you to view the dam. The side trail is very steep. If you take it you will get a good view of the dam, but it is not necessary and you may choose to skip viewing the dam. Continue on the main trail down the river.
A short distance away you will reach Blue Hole Falls. Take a lower side trail to see the waterfall better. Continue further down the trail if you want to view Big Falls.
Big Falls
After viewing Blue Hole Falls, continue south on the Enclosure Trail another 100 yards you will reach the remains of a paper mill, one of three that were built in this general area. Built in 1879, this mill supplied newsprint to newspapers throughout the Southeast. Just past the remains you’ll see Big Falls, take a lower side trail down to see the waterfall better.
Tullahoma
Rutledge Falls
Depending on which path you take to reach Rutledge Falls, it is between a 0.3-0.5 mile hike round trip with an elevation gain of 22 feet. The trail to the overlook of the waterfall is easy. You just stay on the main trail and it leads to an overlook of the waterfall. If you want to get to the base of the waterfall from here, you’ll need to climb down and over a few rocks.
The base of Rutledge Falls is a good swimming hole with clear water, however it is very cold. There is an easier trail if you want to go to the base of the waterfall. There is a small trail that branches off to the left (heading toward the home before you reach the statue) for a gradual hike down to the riverbed. From there you can easily walk back upstream to the bottom of the falls.
Machine Falls
Machine Falls is located just five minutes away from Rutledge Falls. Machine Falls is an impressive 60 foot waterfall located inside the Short Springs Natural Area, which contains several waterfalls that can all be accessed from the same starting trail.
From the main trailhead you’ll reach the observation platform in about 15 minutes hiking the white blazed trail. To reach the base, pass the observation platform and descend down a rather steep set of wooden steps. You’ll see a wooden bridge. Do not cross this bridge, but head toward the water’s edge to reach the base of Machine Falls. Your feet will get wet as you walk along on the tops of rocks in the creek (and in the creek) and around the corner to the base of the waterfall.
Wetumpka Falls (also known as Shipman’s Creek Falls or Moonshine Falls)
Wetumpka Falls is a multi-tiered 20 foot waterfall that is located roadside near the city of Tullahoma. Wetumpka Falls is technically located in Wartrace, but is just minutes from Tullahoma.
The waterfall has two sections. The smaller, tiered upper section is a five feet tall, which flows into the main waterfall and plunges 15 feet into a tiny slot canyon. Some people include the lower tiers as part of the waterfall and classify it as 40 feet tall.
Ledford Mill Falls
Ledford Mills Falls is located at Ledford Mills, which is now a a three-room bed and breakfast and antiques shop. If the shop is open you can view the waterfall from there, however if it is closed you can walk along the roadside and view the waterfall from the side, which is still a good view.
Lookout Mountain/Chattanooga
Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls was discovered over 1,120 feet below the surface of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, TN in 1928. You enter the cavern and are guided through incredible rock formations. Some of the rock formations are lit in different colors.
The path ends at Ruby Falls itself – a 145 foot underground waterfall. It is America’s deepest commercial cave and largest underground waterfall.
Ruby Falls is lit by full color LED lights that change colors making this impressive waterfall truly spectacular and one of a kind! Tickets must be purchased in advance online. You can purchase tickets here: https://www.rubyfalls.com/ticketing/
Lover’s Leap/High Falls (at Rock City)
Lover’s Leap is located inside Rock City, however you can view the falls without going to Rock City. This being said, I still highly recommend going to Rock City as there is so much to do there including nature trails, and caves with stories told in miniature models.
High Falls is 140 feet in height. The trail to the waterfall is easy to get to and is stroller and wheelchair accessible, making this waterfall enjoyable by all.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online or in person. It is cheaper online. You can purchase tickets here: https://tickets.seerockcity.com/products .
Tellico Plains
Bald River Falls
Bald River Falls is a beautiful 90 foot roadside waterfall located in the Unicoi Range of mountains near the Tennessee/North Carolina state line. The falls are easily visible from a bridge across the river. There is also a short, easy trail at the end of the parking lot that will take you to the top of Bald River Falls.
Bald River Falls is very easy to find. It is located on Tellico River Road (FS210). There is a turn off for Tellico River Road on the south side of the Cherohala Skyway.
Kahuna Falls
While visiting Bald River Falls you probably saw this waterfall and never even realized that it was a different waterfall. Until recently I didn’t know either. I had always thought it was part of Bald River Falls.
After viewing the amazing Bald River Falls, go to the upper end of the parking lot, where you will find a trail that leads up to the top of Bald River Falls. You can just see Kahuna Falls from the overlook, just above the top of Bald River Falls. Continue up the trail for a short distance and you will come to Kahuna Falls.
Baby Falls
After visiting Bald River Falls continue down the road about 0.5 miles to view Baby Falls. Baby Falls is easily visible from the road. There is a pull off not far from Baby Falls. Just park in the pull off and walk the short distance to Baby Falls.
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