Double Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
No maintained hiking trail reaches Double Falls. It is in the Big South Fork gorge and is mainly seen by paddlers running the river.
Photo Credits (5)
About Double Falls
Double Falls is a USGS-named falls on the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, a little below where the Clear Fork and New River meet, in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. It lies in the river gorge, and whitewater guides list a Class III+ rapid called Double Drop at about this spot, which may be the same feature. We found no maintained hiking trail or published hiking route to it, and it is not the Double Falls near Virgin Falls by Sparta.
The Setting
Double Falls sits at 997 feet within Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, in the foothills of Tennessee.
Trail & Hike Details
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail to Double Falls is not wheelchair accessible due to its rugged and steep terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Double Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Leashed pets are allowed on Big South Fork trails, but some trails have ladders and rock ledges that dogs may need help with.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Double Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and fall are the best times to visit due to cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage. The waterfall flow is typically strongest in spring after rainfall.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check the National Park Service website for current conditions.
Safety Information
The gorge is remote with limited cell service, and the river here has Class III to IV rapids, undercut rocks and fast water at high flows.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Clear Fork, 2.7 miles away, not on Double Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
19 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 85 years of record
1.36 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge CLEAR FORK NEAR ROBBINS, TN (4 km away).
Today
Low
20 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Moderate
22 cfs
5/10Fri
Moderate
21 cfs
5/10Sat
Moderate
20 cfs
8/10Sun
Low
19 cfs
6/10Mon
Low
23 cfs
6/10Tue
Low
24 cfs
6/10Best window: Sat — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late January to early April, peaking in February.
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 Helenwood hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Double Falls Frozen?
Updated about 4 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Double Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 73°F to 35°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 20 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 116 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 986 feet.
The whole reach is steep: about 289 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 218 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southwest and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 986 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 116 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southwest
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The nearest documented access is the paddlers' put-in at the confluence of the Clear Fork and New River, reached by a trail of about half a mile from the end of John Long Road. Most people who see Double Falls do so from the river on the Big South Fork Gorge run.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
997 feet above sea level
Coordinates
36.427021° N, -84.625496° W
Land Management
Managed by NPS Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Where to Stay
Big South Fork Lodge
The Scarlet A-Frame
Hampton Inn Caryville-I-75/Cove Lake-State Park
Royal Inn
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
BANDY CREEK
5.9 miles away · 145 sites
Overview Bandy Creek is a spacious and modern campground, situated in The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area--a vast and scenic expanse of land that offers visitors countless recreational activities.Recreation Numerous trails snake through the Recreation Area, offering mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding for visitors. A swimming pool, along with on-site volleyball court, playgrounds and ball fields, make Bandy Creek an ideal spot for families. The main river of the Big Sou
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Burnt Mill Bridge and the 4.3-mile Burnt Mill Loop along the Clear Fork are upstream, and Leatherwood Ford and the Angel Falls Trail are downstream.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Be cautious of snakes, especially during warmer months.
Cities near Double Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Double Falls
3 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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