Waterfall Hikes Near Knoxville, TN

615,829 residents
New York Time Zone
28 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Knoxville sits about an hour from the Smokies entrances, and 28 falls land inside its circle. Abrams Falls out in Cades Cove stands 20 feet tall at the end of five miles with 675 feet of climbing. Laurel Falls reaches 80 feet after 2.6 miles. Santeetlah Bluff Falls takes an easy mile, dogs allowed. Stewart Falls needs four tenths of a mile, and our details on it end about there.

Located at 35.9692°N, -83.9496°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Knoxville

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

28 of 28 gauged

2 of 28 waterfalls near Knoxville are flowing strongly today

Abrams Falls Barely Flowing Bald River Falls Barely Flowing Basin Falls Moderate Laurel Falls Moderate Ozone Falls Moderate Bemis Camp Falls Barely Flowing Big Falls Barely Flowing Leatherwood Falls Barely Flowing Middle Falls Barely Flowing Santeetlah Bluff Falls Barely Flowing Sassafras Falls Barely Flowing Upper Falls Barely Flowing Stewart Falls Barely Flowing Grotto Falls Moderate Laurel Falls Moderate Rainbow Falls Moderate Ramsey Cascades Moderate Wilson Falls Moderate Kennedy Falls Barely Flowing Lower Falls Barely Flowing Queens Falls Barely Flowing Little Creek Falls Roaring Mingo Falls Roaring Mouse Creek Falls Barely Flowing Ray Falls Barely Flowing

Updated 28 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Sunday

Mostly Sunny · 92°F

Tod 94°F Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sun 92°F Mostly Sunny Best
Mon 92°F Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Tue 86°F Showers And Thunderstorms
Wed 81°F Showers And Thunderstorms
Thu 79°F Chance Rain Showers
Fri 79°F Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Flowing best right now near Knoxville

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Mingo Falls Roaring · 241 cfs 99th percentile
  2. 2 Little Creek Falls Roaring · 241 cfs 99th percentile
  3. 3 Rainbow Falls Moderate · 18 cfs 44th percentile
  4. 4 Ramsey Cascades Moderate · 18 cfs 44th percentile
  5. 5 Wilson Falls Moderate · 18 cfs 44th percentile
  6. 6 Grotto Falls Moderate · 18 cfs 44th percentile

Know when to go.

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Find waterfalls to hike near Knoxville

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Knoxville (9 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Lower Falls waterfall

Lower Falls

26.1 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.5 miles 100 ft
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

29.3 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
2.6 miles 314 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Santeetlah Bluff Falls in North Carolina, about 257 feet of drop LiDAR

Santeetlah Bluff Falls

32.7 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
1.0 miles Unknown

All 28 Waterfalls Near Knoxville

Abrams Falls waterfall

Abrams Falls

20.6 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
5.0 miles 675 ft
Lower Falls waterfall

Lower Falls

26.1 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.5 miles 100 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Flatrock Falls in Tennessee, about 117 feet of drop LiDAR

Flatrock Falls

27.5 miles away
Tennessee
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

29.3 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
2.6 miles 314 ft
Stewart Falls waterfall

Stewart Falls

32.7 miles away
North Carolina
Unknown
0.4 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Santeetlah Bluff Falls in North Carolina, about 257 feet of drop LiDAR

Santeetlah Bluff Falls

32.7 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
1.0 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Bemis Camp Falls in North Carolina, about 173 feet of drop LiDAR

Bemis Camp Falls

32.9 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Big Falls waterfall

Big Falls

35.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.5 miles Unknown
Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

35.5 miles away
Tennessee
Hard
5.4 miles 800 ft
Grotto Falls waterfall

Grotto Falls

35.6 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.6 miles 585 ft
LiDAR terrain view around Sassafras Falls in North Carolina, about 170 feet of drop LiDAR

Sassafras Falls

35.6 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
1.5 miles Unknown
Middle Falls waterfall

Middle Falls

35.9 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.5 miles 400 ft
Upper Falls waterfall

Upper Falls

35.9 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.5 miles 100 ft
Wilson Falls waterfall

Wilson Falls

38.2 miles away
Tennessee
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Jacks Rock Falls waterfall

Jacks Rock Falls

38.7 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Ramsey Cascades waterfall

Ramsey Cascades

40.2 miles away
Tennessee
Hard
8.0 miles 2,200 ft
Ozone Falls waterfall

Ozone Falls

40.8 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
0.6 miles 100 ft
Bald River Falls waterfall

Bald River Falls

41.1 miles away
Tennessee
Drive Up
0.1 miles 50 ft
Basin Falls waterfall

Basin Falls

43.1 miles away
Tennessee
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Double Drop Falls in Tennessee, about 108 feet of drop LiDAR

Double Drop Falls

43.6 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Knoxville

Are there free waterfalls near Knoxville?

There are 17 free waterfalls near Knoxville, including Bald River Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Knoxville?

There are 9 easy waterfall hikes near Knoxville, including Bald River Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Knoxville?

There are 14 dog-friendly waterfalls near Knoxville, including Bald River Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Knoxville?

There are 18 kid-friendly waterfalls near Knoxville, including Abrams Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Knoxville?

There are 2 waterfalls that allow swimming near Knoxville, including Lower Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Knoxville?

The shortest waterfall hike near Knoxville is Abrams Falls at 0.1 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Knoxville?

The tallest waterfall near Knoxville is Mingo Falls at 120 feet.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Knoxville?

Yes, 28 waterfalls near Knoxville have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Knoxville?

The closest waterfall to Knoxville is Abrams Falls, approximately 20.6 miles away.

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Where to Stay

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