Rattlesnake Falls
Tennessee • 59 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainNo public access
Rattlesnake Falls isn't open to the public. There's no public trail or parking, so please don't trespass or park at neighboring properties. See public waterfalls nearby.
Rattlesnake Falls is on private property and is closed to the public. Do not enter without the landowner's permission.
Photo Credits (5)
About Rattlesnake Falls
Height: 59 feet
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Rattlesnake Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Rattlesnake Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
The trail may have slippery or uneven sections, especially after rain. Watch for loose rocks and be cautious near the waterfall edge. Cell service may be limited in the area.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Duck River, 17.4 miles away, not on Rattlesnake Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
232 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 50 years of record
1.72 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 regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge DUCK RIVER AT COLUMBIA, TN (28 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
232 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
260 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
282 cfs
5/10Wed
Barely Flowing
358 cfs
5/10Thu
Barely Flowing
374 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
330 cfs
5/10Sat
Barely Flowing
338 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 late March, peaking in March.
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 Summertown hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Rattlesnake Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Rattlesnake Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 46°F to 34°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 232 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.
1-meter lidar measures about 145 feet of descent through Rattlesnake Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 59 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 867 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 79 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 147 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 867 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 145 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Elevation
902 feet above sea level
Coordinates
35.448966° N, -87.262790° W
Where to Stay
Hampton Inn By Hilton Lawrenceburg
Best Western Plus Lawrenceburg
David Crockett Motel
Richland 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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Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area, also in Maury County, is open to the public and has a 75-foot waterfall reached by a hike of about one mile.
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Be cautious of snakes and other potentially hazardous animals.
Cities near Rattlesnake Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
Other waterfalls named Rattlesnake Falls
1 other waterfall shares this name across the U.S.
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