Rutledge Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Rutledge Falls is on private land that the owners keep open to the public free of charge during daylight hours. Follow posted rules, take your trash with you and park only in the designated area.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.3 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Rutledge Falls
Rutledge Falls is a wide waterfall of about 25 to 30 feet that drops over a limestone ledge into a large pool, between Tullahoma and Manchester in Coffee County, Tennessee. The falls are on private land that the owners have kept free and open to the public for generations. A short path leads from the parking area down to the base.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
Two paths lead down to the falls: a short, steep, rocky one and a gentler worn path of about 0.4 mile. Both can be slippery near the bottom.
What to Expect
Swimming is permitted.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Rutledge Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
No dog rule is published for this private property; keep dogs leashed and under control.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Rutledge Falls?
✅ Swimming is allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit when the water flow is typically strongest. Fall offers beautiful foliage, and the area is accessible year-round.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
The rocks around the falls can be slippery, so visitors should exercise caution when exploring near the water. Swimming is at your own risk, and there are no lifeguards on duty.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Duck River, 3.5 miles away, not on Rutledge Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
21 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 78 years of record
-0.10 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge DUCK RIVER BELOW MANCHESTER, TN (6 km away).
Today
Moderate
21 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Moderate
21 cfs
8/10Tue
Moderate
21 cfs
8/10Wed
Moderate
22 cfs
8/10Thu
Moderate
24 cfs
8/10Fri
Moderate
24 cfs
8/10Sat
Moderate
26 cfs
8/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, widespread frost then sunny (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early 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 Manchester hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Rutledge Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Rutledge Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 44°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
- 21 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.
Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 91 feet of drop through Rutledge Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 940 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 77 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 35 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face south 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
- 940 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 91 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- South
- 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 south).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Tullahoma, head northeast on Old Manchester Highway (TN 55) and turn onto Rutledge Falls Road, which leads to the small parking area for the falls.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking is limited to a small area off Rutledge Falls Road. Do not block driveways or the road.
Elevation
942 feet above sea level
Coordinates
35.422022° N, -86.137766° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be uneven in places. Be respectful of the private property and follow any posted rules. Visit early in the day to avoid crowds, especially during weekends and summer months.
Where to Stay
Comfort Suites Manchester near Arnold AFB
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Manchester - Arnold AFB
Best Western Manchester
Holiday Inn Express - Tullahoma by IHG
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.
Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include Short Springs Natural Area and Machine Falls, both offering additional hiking and waterfall experiences.
Wildlife
The area is home to various bird species, small mammals, and aquatic life in the stream.
Cities near Rutledge Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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