Looking for some adventure while looking at this year’s beautiful Fall leaves in northeast Tennessee? Then look no further. This waterfall road trip has it all. While the drive time is under 5 hours, there’s a lot to see and hike along the way.
Backbone Falls
Our trip begins in Bristol, Tennessee at Backbone Falls, a 45 foot waterfall.
The Backbone Falls trail is a loop trail, however I recommend that you hike it as an out and back, especially after it has rained recently as the end of the loop is downhill and slippery after rainfall. The trail marker is at the front of the parking area next to a staircase leading to the beginning of the trail.
However, if you go to the far right of the parking lot without climbing those stairs, you’ll see a walkway right next to the road separated by a fence. Take this walkway. It will dead end into the trail. Climb the stairs and you’ll see a sign (Caution Steep Trail With Uneven Footings and Sharp Dropoffs). Keep climbing the stairs until you reach Backbone Falls on your left. It’s about 0.1 miles. We continued on from here, but if you want an easy hike, simply turn around and go back the way you came.
Backbone Falls Recreation Area has several interesting areas to explore such as Backbone Rock, a tunnel drilled through the rock in 1901 to allow railroad access between Shady Valley and Damascus, VA. Bristol is also home to Bristol Motor Speedway. The state line between Virginia and Tennessee runs directly through downtown Bristol, resulting in the only downtown in the U.S. divided between two states.
Blue Hole Falls
Blue Hole Falls is a series of four separate waterfalls all located near each other. To get to the overlook, take the small trail that starts just to the left of the parking area near the road. It will twist through the trees and go down about 30 feet or so to the overlook. While many other sites list this trail as easy. I would classify it as a moderate, since while the trail is not very long, parts can be very steep.
Other interesting sights in the area include Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park and the Elizabethton Covered Bridge.
Dolan Branch Falls
Dolan Branch Falls is a pretty 20 foot waterfall located inside Bays Mountain Park. There is a $5 entry fee per car to get into the park. You’ll need to park in the parking lot closest to the main road entering into the park, close to the dam. The trail entrance for Dolan Branch Falls is located across the street from the dam.
When you enter the trail it will go down to below the road level. It is an easy and clearly defined trail that leads to a little bridge right in front of the waterfall. When we went, the trail was blazed with bright pink ribbons. The trail winds downward to the waterfall at the bottom. There is also an overlook near the beginning of the trail if you do not want to go all the way to the bottom.
While there if you have extra time, I recommend you explore all that Bays Mountain has to offer. There are picnic tables available if you want to pack a lunch.
Laurel Run Falls
Laurel Run Falls is a pretty waterfall with a short scenic hike. The movie The River was filmed in Laurel Run Park. There are three waterfalls that can be accessed off the Laurel Run Falls trail. The main falls has a 1.8 mile hike round trip to get to Laurel Run Falls. The trail offers a beautiful view of the creek, which runs alongside it almost the entire way. There are two creek crossings to Laurel Run Falls, one has a bridge and the other doesn’t.
After crossing the creek, keep going just a little bit further and you’ll come to Laurel Run Falls, on your right. If you continue on the trail after Laurel Run Falls, you will also see a second unnamed (at least I couldn’t find a name for this waterfall) waterfall less than a tenth of a mile ahead. If you continue on the trail, you will come to a switchback where you will see Kiner Creek right in front of you. Cross the creek here and continue on by following the creek. The dense rhododendron underbrush has been partially cleared for what looks like a rough trail along the bank. Follow it up to Kiner Creek Falls. This leg of the hike is short, maybe 0.25 miles or less.
Margarette Falls
Margarette Falls, sometimes called Marguerite Falls, is a beautiful fan-shaped, 60-foot waterfall, located in Cherokee National Forest in Greene County, TN. It is one is of the most popular waterfall trails in the area. This trail is rated moderate due to the steep elevation gain of 668 feet and rocky parts of the trail over sharp and uneven rocks that last 0.1 to 0.2 miles in length and can be difficult to walk on, especially after it has rained and the trail is a little slippery.
Other interesting sights in the area for history fans include the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and David Crockett Birthplace State Park.
Sill Branch Falls
Sill Branch Falls is located in the Clark’s Creek area of the Cherokee National Forest. This beautiful 20 foot waterfall starts out with a fairly easy hike with just a tiny incline over slightly rocky terrain with a few roots along the way. When the trail forks, make sure you go to the left and you’ll immediately cross a small stream. You’ll see a steep incline on the other side of the stream. There are several places off to the side that go down to the creek, so make sure you don’t turn off too early. Continue up this steep section of the trail and you’ll soon arrive at the waterfall.
Pine Ridge Falls
Pine Ridge Falls, just 0.2 miles up the road from the Sill Branch Fall parking area, is a 25 foot waterfall. The hike to Pine Ridge is an easy one mile round trip. The trail is well maintained and not too busy. There is one creek crossing that can be tricky when the water’s up.
You’ll follow the Longarm Branch Trail at the beginning to reach Pine Ridge Falls. Take the Longarm Branch Trail and just after you cross the stream the trail forks. You’ll want to take the path to the left to get to Pine Ridge Falls. This will bring you to the base of the waterfall or you can continue up to the top part of the waterfall.
Millstone Creek Falls
Millstone Creek Falls isn’t one of the easiest to find, but if you follow the directions, you shouldn’t have too hard a time finding this 30 foot waterfall. Millstone Creek Falls is located on private property on the western side of Buffalo Mountain in Washington County, but the owners give permission so long as visitors respect the property and don’t litter.
The trailhead is located just across the road from a pulloff. There are others not far away if this one is full. The hike is only 150 yards. I would rate it an easy/moderate depending on the trail conditions.
Middle Spivey Falls
Middle Spivey Falls isn’t the easiest waterfall to find or photograph, but it is worth it. It is not crowded like many other waterfalls, in fact we were the only ones there so we had plenty of time to ourselves to absorb the beauty and tranquility.
Middle Spivey Falls can be reached by a path the includes wooden and stone steps most of the way. You can also reach the waterfall via a turnoff with enough room to park one car. It’s a pretty steep descent down to the base of the waterfall, but it can be done moving carefully.
Lower Spivey Falls
Lower Spivey Falls is a pretty, 50 foot waterfall located on private property. Lower Spivey Falls is part of a series of four large waterfalls, all of which are privately owned. There is a parking space right in front of the waterfall, which can be seen at a distance. There is a gate between the parking space and the waterfall. Visitors are not allowed beyond the gate. Even from this distance, the waterfall is impressive and unique.
Big Creek Falls
Big Creek Falls is a small, but very pretty waterfall located in the Pisgah National Forest. If you are in the area, it’s worth stopping by to see. The top of Big Creek Falls is barely visible from the roadway. The waterfall is nestled in between several large, moss-covered boulders. The water cascades down into a small round pool that feeds off the creek.
This waterfall road trip starts off with pretty easy hikes, with the most difficult in the middle and ending with the easiest. I would classify all these as family friendly. We hope your family enjoys them as much as our does.
To view other waterfall day trips check out our 3-5 waterfall road trips and our one day trips.
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