You may have seen our Middle Tennessee road trip on waterfalls, and thought, wait what about us on the east?! Fear not, friends, how in the world can we forget the east side of the state?! Anyone who lives in the east and is searching for Tennessee waterfalls you’ve come to the right place. Filled with ravines, rivers, mountains, and hikers with a thirst for natural beauty, we really can’t slough off this little piece of southern paradise. We’ve pulled together a solid Saturday of waterfall lovin’ – right here in one road trip. Consider this to be one of the best scenic road trips in Tennessee and start your engines.

To find the entire itinerary of every waterfall stop along this road trip, check out our map.

Google Maps

  1. Cataract Falls - Gatlinburg, TN 37738

J Stephen Conn / Flickr You can see Cataract Falls after a half-mile hike into the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s one of the easiest hikes in the area, plus? As one of the most commonly overlooked falls in the park, you’re sure to have a quiet day in the forest.

To learn more about Cataract Falls, check out our feature article. It is sure to be a wonderful and peaceful hike that is family friendly. If you want to check out this hike, watch this Adventuring in the Moment video before you go:

Cataract Falls, Cove Mountain Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

  1. Rainbow Falls - Tennessee 37738

Derrick Llewellyn/ Alltrails You’ll follow the creek for the majority of the almost-three-mile hike, but make sure you bring a solid pair of shoes! It’s a rocky road (ha.) and is a bit more difficult for the tiniest of hikers.

To learn more about this beautiful waterfall in east Tennessee and to see what Rainbow Falls looks like in the winter, check out this fun video about Rainbow Falls from Roaming with the Ramsays:

Rainbow Falls Trail, Tennessee 37738, USA

  1. Grotto Falls - Tennessee 37738

Tim Hallmark/ Alltrails A twenty-five-foot waterfall and a three-mile trail? Not too shabby if you ask us! #4 on our list is a shoo-in for families with kids who are looking for just a slight bit of outdoorsy adventure.

To learn more about this beautiful waterfall in east Tennessee, check out our article on Grotto Falls. You can also check out this video from Adventuring in the Moment:

Grotto Falls, Trillium Gap Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

  1. Baskins Creek Falls - Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Sradke / Flickr Located on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Baskins Creek Falls only takes a short hike before you’re set for the view of your life. Make sure to go during autumn - the colors will drive you craaaaaazy for Tennessee!

To learn more about this beautiful waterfall in east Tennessee, make sure to read our article about Baskins Creek Falls. Also, make sure to check out this informative video from Visit Gatlinburg:

Baskins Creek Falls, Baskins Creek Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

  1. Abrams Falls - Tennessee 37882

Matthew Paulson / Flickr Although a short little waterfall (only 20 feet high!), it has an EXTREME amount of gushing water that is sure to put a bit of spring in your step - and some spray in your hair.

To learn more about this beautiful waterfall in east Tennessee, check out our coverage of Abrams Falls. You can also check out this informative video from Visit Gatlinburg:

Abrams Falls, Tennessee 37882, USA

  1. Ramsey Cascades - Tennessee 37738

Dustin J Williams / Flickr One - just look at that picture up there. Really, just look at it. Great. Fantastic. But it comes at a price - the hike is a strenuous one, so bring a first aid kit, your best friend, and lots of snacks. To learn more about this beautiful waterfall in east Tennessee, check out our article on Ramsey Cascades. Ramsey Cascades Trail, Tennessee 37738, USA

So, East Tennessee. Do you feel like you’ve won the lottery here? Because these are some of the most beautiful Tennessee waterfalls we’ve seen…leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

Google Maps

J Stephen Conn / Flickr

You can see Cataract Falls after a half-mile hike into the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s one of the easiest hikes in the area, plus? As one of the most commonly overlooked falls in the park, you’re sure to have a quiet day in the forest.

To learn more about Cataract Falls, check out our feature article. It is sure to be a wonderful and peaceful hike that is family friendly. If you want to check out this hike, watch this Adventuring in the Moment video before you go:

Cataract Falls, Cove Mountain Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

Derrick Llewellyn/ Alltrails

You’ll follow the creek for the majority of the almost-three-mile hike, but make sure you bring a solid pair of shoes! It’s a rocky road (ha.) and is a bit more difficult for the tiniest of hikers.

To learn more about this beautiful waterfall in east Tennessee and to see what Rainbow Falls looks like in the winter, check out this fun video about Rainbow Falls from Roaming with the Ramsays:

Rainbow Falls Trail, Tennessee 37738, USA

Tim Hallmark/ Alltrails

A twenty-five-foot waterfall and a three-mile trail? Not too shabby if you ask us! #4 on our list is a shoo-in for families with kids who are looking for just a slight bit of outdoorsy adventure.

To learn more about this beautiful waterfall in east Tennessee, check out our article on Grotto Falls. You can also check out this video from Adventuring in the Moment:

Grotto Falls, Trillium Gap Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

Sradke / Flickr

Located on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Baskins Creek Falls only takes a short hike before you’re set for the view of your life. Make sure to go during autumn - the colors will drive you craaaaaazy for Tennessee!

To learn more about this beautiful waterfall in east Tennessee, make sure to read our article about Baskins Creek Falls. Also, make sure to check out this informative video from Visit Gatlinburg:

Baskins Creek Falls, Baskins Creek Trail, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

Matthew Paulson / Flickr

Although a short little waterfall (only 20 feet high!), it has an EXTREME amount of gushing water that is sure to put a bit of spring in your step - and some spray in your hair.

To learn more about this beautiful waterfall in east Tennessee, check out our coverage of Abrams Falls. You can also check out this informative video from Visit Gatlinburg:

Abrams Falls, Tennessee 37882, USA

Dustin J Williams / Flickr

One - just look at that picture up there. Really, just look at it. Great. Fantastic. But it comes at a price - the hike is a strenuous one, so bring a first aid kit, your best friend, and lots of snacks. To learn more about this beautiful waterfall in east Tennessee, check out our article on Ramsey Cascades.

Ramsey Cascades Trail, Tennessee 37738, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Waterfalls Near Me In Tennessee September 04, 2021 Marisa Roman What are the most beautiful hikes in Tennessee? Some of the most beautiful hikes in Tennessee are:

Alum Cave Laurel Falls Ozone Falls

  Sometimes the most beautiful places in Tennessee can be found along a scenic hiking trail. Tennessee has some pretty stellar hiking opportunities, including natural vistas, wide-open plains, and of course, the Great Smoky Mountains. We have a list of 10 of the greatest hiking trails in Tennessee and you’ll likely want to tackle each one. From a quick jaunt to Laurel Falls Trail to Burgess Falls State Park, these hikes are a great way to see nature in Tennessee. Does Tennessee have any natural wonders? Indeed, there are natural wonders in Tennessee, seven of them to be exact! What’s even cooler is that one of the natural wonders is mentioned above, Ramsey Cascades. A few other natural wonders on the list include Burgess Falls State Park, the Tennessee River Gorge, and Cherohala Skyway. Each of these stunning places in Tennessee offers something different, but equally valuable to be enjoyed. What are the best road trips through Tennessee? Looking for some scenic road trips in Tennessee? How about a few food-related jaunts? We have made a list of some of our greatest road trip adventures over the years, each with something new to offer. For anyone looking for a little bit of fright, check out the haunted road trip of east Tennessee. Or try your hand at the fall foliage road trip to take you to some of the best places to see the leaves change come autumn.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Waterfalls Near Me In Tennessee

September 04, 2021

Marisa Roman

What are the most beautiful hikes in Tennessee? Some of the most beautiful hikes in Tennessee are:

Alum Cave Laurel Falls Ozone Falls

  Sometimes the most beautiful places in Tennessee can be found along a scenic hiking trail. Tennessee has some pretty stellar hiking opportunities, including natural vistas, wide-open plains, and of course, the Great Smoky Mountains. We have a list of 10 of the greatest hiking trails in Tennessee and you’ll likely want to tackle each one. From a quick jaunt to Laurel Falls Trail to Burgess Falls State Park, these hikes are a great way to see nature in Tennessee. Does Tennessee have any natural wonders? Indeed, there are natural wonders in Tennessee, seven of them to be exact! What’s even cooler is that one of the natural wonders is mentioned above, Ramsey Cascades. A few other natural wonders on the list include Burgess Falls State Park, the Tennessee River Gorge, and Cherohala Skyway. Each of these stunning places in Tennessee offers something different, but equally valuable to be enjoyed. What are the best road trips through Tennessee? Looking for some scenic road trips in Tennessee? How about a few food-related jaunts? We have made a list of some of our greatest road trip adventures over the years, each with something new to offer. For anyone looking for a little bit of fright, check out the haunted road trip of east Tennessee. Or try your hand at the fall foliage road trip to take you to some of the best places to see the leaves change come autumn.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Some of the most beautiful hikes in Tennessee are:

  • Alum Cave
  • Laurel Falls
  • Ozone Falls

 

Sometimes the most beautiful places in Tennessee can be found along a scenic hiking trail. Tennessee has some pretty stellar hiking opportunities, including natural vistas, wide-open plains, and of course, the Great Smoky Mountains. We have a list of 10 of the greatest hiking trails in Tennessee and you’ll likely want to tackle each one. From a quick jaunt to Laurel Falls Trail to Burgess Falls State Park, these hikes are a great way to see nature in Tennessee.

Does Tennessee have any natural wonders?

Indeed, there are natural wonders in Tennessee, seven of them to be exact! What’s even cooler is that one of the natural wonders is mentioned above, Ramsey Cascades. A few other natural wonders on the list include Burgess Falls State Park, the Tennessee River Gorge, and Cherohala Skyway. Each of these stunning places in Tennessee offers something different, but equally valuable to be enjoyed.

What are the best road trips through Tennessee?

Looking for some scenic road trips in Tennessee? How about a few food-related jaunts? We have made a list of some of our greatest road trip adventures over the years, each with something new to offer. For anyone looking for a little bit of fright, check out the haunted road trip of east Tennessee. Or try your hand at the fall foliage road trip to take you to some of the best places to see the leaves change come autumn.