LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Double Drop Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
There is no hiking trail to this rapid. It is seen mainly by whitewater paddlers on Clear Creek.
About Double Drop Falls
Double Drop Falls is a whitewater rapid on upper Clear Creek, about 0.7 mile upstream of Barnett Bridge near the upper end of the Obed Wild and Scenic River. Paddlers rate it about Class IV-; it comes just after a sharp left bend, and the rock at the bottom is undercut. It is a two-stage creek drop, not a tall waterfall, and no hiking trail leads to it.
The Setting
Double Drop Falls sits at 1,201 feet within Obed Wild and Scenic River, in the foothills of Tennessee.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
There is no hiking trail to Double Drop. Paddlers reach it on the Clear Creek run from old US 127 down to Barnett Bridge, where it is the last significant rapid before the take-out.
What to Expect
A two-stage rapid in a wooded creek gorge. Flow depends on rain; paddlers check the Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge gauge.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible and may be challenging for those with limited mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Double Drop Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Double Drop Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit when water flow is typically at its peak. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter may provide a quieter experience.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
The rock at the bottom of the rapid is undercut. Paddlers should eddy out on the right above the sharp left bend to scout or portage.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Clear Creek, 5.1 miles away, not on Double Drop Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
6 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 29 years of record
3.83 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge CLEAR CREEK AT LILLY BRIDGE NEAR LANCING, TN (8 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
6 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
5 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
5 cfs
5/10Wed
Barely Flowing
4 cfs
5/10Thu
Barely Flowing
4 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
4 cfs
5/10Sat
Barely Flowing
3 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to early March, peaking in January.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Fairfield Glade hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Double Drop Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Double Drop Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 44°F to 37°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 6 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 108 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 1,200 feet.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 208 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 154 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,200 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 108 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Paddlers take out at Barnett Bridge on Clear Creek, about 0.7 mile downstream of the rapid. No marked foot route from the bridge to the rapid is documented.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Paddling guides suggest parking downstream of Barnett Bridge on the river-right side.
Elevation
1,201 feet above sea level
Coordinates
36.118406° N, -84.807170° W
Land Management
Managed by NPS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Where to Stay
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Crossville by IHG
Super 8 by Wyndham Crossville TN
Comfort Suites Crossville
Quality Inn Crossville Near Cumberland Mountain State Park
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
Rock Creek Campground (TN)
8.7 miles away · 11 sites
Overview Rock Creek Campground is located near the Emory River in the Obed Wild and Scenic River.Recreation Whitewater paddling is available seasonally in the Obed WSR. Rock climbing is another challenging activity, as is boulder climbing. The Obed WSR sports several unique trails for hikers, most notably the Point Trail and a portion of the Cumberland Trail. Those who like to fish will enjoy the Obed WSR, as a variety of bass, bluegill, catfish and other fish populate the river. Birdwatching is
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Lilly Bridge, downstream on Clear Creek, has NPS parking, restrooms, the Lilly Bluff Overlook and several short trails.
Wildlife
The area is home to typical Tennessee wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Be cautious of snakes and other potentially hazardous animals.
Cities near Double Drop Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Double Drop Falls
1 other waterfall shares this name across the U.S.
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