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

21 of 27 waterfalls near Knoxville are flowing strongly today

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

Updated about 2 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Friday

Sunny · 72°F

Aft 68°F Partly Sunny

Fri 72°F Sunny Best

Sat 77°F Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Sun 79°F Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Mon 70°F Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Tue 73°F Sunny

Wed 78°F Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

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

38.4 miles away

North Carolina

Easy

0.5 miles 100 ft

Laurel Falls

40.8 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

26.1 miles away

North Carolina

Moderate

2.4 miles 350 ft

All 27 Waterfalls Near Knoxville

Abrams Falls

Tennessee

Moderate

5.0 miles 675 ft

Lower Falls

38.4 miles away

North Carolina

Easy

0.5 miles 100 ft

Flatrock Falls

27.2 miles away

Tennessee

Moderate

2.4 miles 350 ft

Laurel Falls

40.8 miles away

Tennessee

Easy

2.6 miles 314 ft

Stewart Falls

44.8 miles away

North Carolina

Moderate

2.4 miles 350 ft

Santeetlah Bluff Falls

26.1 miles away

North Carolina

Moderate

2.4 miles 350 ft

Bemis Camp Falls

25.9 miles away

North Carolina

Moderate

2.0 miles 300 ft

Big Falls

47.9 miles away

North Carolina

Moderate

2.4 miles 350 ft

Rainbow Falls

47.1 miles away

Tennessee

Hard

5.4 miles 800 ft

Grotto Falls

46 miles away

Tennessee

Moderate

2.6 miles 585 ft

Sassafras Falls

1.8 miles away

North Carolina

Moderate

2.4 miles 350 ft

Middle Falls

47.4 miles away

North Carolina

Moderate

4.5 miles 400 ft

Upper Falls

42.2 miles away

North Carolina

Easy

0.5 miles 100 ft

Wilson Falls

40.4 miles away

Tennessee

Moderate

2.4 miles 350 ft

Jacks Rock Falls

40.6 miles away

Tennessee

Moderate

2.0 miles 300 ft

Ramsey Cascades

37.9 miles away

Tennessee

Hard

8.0 miles 2,200 ft

Ozone Falls

13.1 miles away

Tennessee

Easy

0.6 miles 100 ft

Bald River Falls

37 miles away

Tennessee

Drive Up

0.1 miles 50 ft

Basin Falls

15.4 miles away

Tennessee

Moderate

2.4 miles 350 ft

Double Drop Falls

36.1 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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