Waterfall Hikes Near Knoxville, TN

615,829 residents
New York Time Zone
27 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Knoxville sits at the transition between the Appalachian foothills and the Cumberland Plateau, with the Tennessee River carving steep gorges, forested ridges, and river valleys dominated by mixed hardwoods and rhododendron-lined hollows. Within 50 miles most waterfall hikes are moderate—ridge-to-gorge ascents and canyon scrambles—alongside a few short roadside cascades, several strenuous technical routes, and some drive-up access points; the close elevation changes and river gorges create a wide variety of trail experiences within short drives.

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

27 of 27 gauged

16 of 27 waterfalls near Knoxville are flowing strongly today

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

Updated 19 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Wednesday

Mostly Sunny · 89°F

Wed 89°F Mostly Sunny Best
Thu 90°F Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Fri 89°F Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Sat 88°F Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sun 88°F Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mon 89°F Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Tue 89°F Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

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 Basin Falls Strong · 53 cfs 86th percentile
  2. 2 Ozone Falls Strong · 53 cfs 86th percentile
  3. 3 Laurel Falls Strong · 53 cfs 86th percentile
  4. 4 Bald River Falls Strong · 249 cfs 85th percentile
  5. 5 Mouse Creek Falls Strong · 1380 cfs 82nd percentile
  6. 6 Queens Falls Strong · 672 cfs 79th percentile

Know when to go.

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Find waterfalls to hike near Knoxville

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Knoxville (6 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

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

Laurel Falls

17.6 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
2.6 miles 314 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Knoxville (13 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Santeetlah Bluff Falls

33.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

All 27 Waterfalls Near Knoxville

Abrams Falls waterfall

Abrams Falls

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

Lower Falls

40.4 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.5 miles 100 ft

Flatrock Falls

27.9 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

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

Stewart Falls

33.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Santeetlah Bluff Falls

33.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Bemis Camp Falls

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

Big Falls

34.7 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

Tennessee
Hard
5.4 miles 800 ft
Grotto Falls waterfall

Grotto Falls

23.9 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.6 miles 585 ft

Sassafras Falls

35.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Middle Falls waterfall

Middle Falls

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

Upper Falls

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

Wilson Falls

20.5 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Jacks Rock Falls waterfall

Jacks Rock Falls

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

Ramsey Cascades

Tennessee
Hard
8.0 miles 2,200 ft
Ozone Falls waterfall

Ozone Falls

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

Bald River Falls

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

Basin Falls

Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Double Drop Falls

11.9 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Knoxville

Are there free waterfalls near Knoxville?

There are 16 free waterfalls near Knoxville, including Bald River Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Knoxville?

There are 6 easy waterfall hikes near Knoxville, including Bald River Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Knoxville?

There are 13 dog-friendly waterfalls near Knoxville, including Bald River Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Knoxville?

There are 17 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, 27 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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