best waterfalls near me

Sweet summertime.

The weather is nicer, school is out and the sun lingers a little longer. Staying inside isn’t an option, especially in Middle Tennessee where there is an abundance of summer activities for everyone to enjoy.

But many excursions can become costly, especially for groups or families. Luckily, there are more affordable options that are equally as enjoyable, like taking scenic hikes alongside refreshing waterfalls.

Sorry TLC, but we can’t just stick to the rivers and lakes that we’re used to.

Read below and plan your next trip hiking alongside some of the best waterfalls in the Nashville area.

Things every Nashville kid should have on their bucket list for before they grow up

Rutledge Falls

• Distance from Nashville: 71.5 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed: Yes, must be leashed
• Swimming permitted: Yes

Rutledge Falls can be a little challenging to find, as it is located on privately owned land between Manchester and Tullahoma. Because of the private ownership, visitors are asked to please be mindful and respectful by abiding by the posted guidance along the path. According to alltrails.com, local officials work together with the landowners to provide public access to the falls.

Rutledge Falls Trail is the easiest trail on this list, not even reaching a mile in length. It has an elevation of 22 feet.

Cummins Falls

• Distance from Nashville: 82 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs allowed: Yes, must be leashed.
• Swimming permitted: Yes

This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning possibly the most popular waterfall destination in Middle Tennessee, Cummins Falls. It is Tennessee’s eighth largest waterfall in water volume and has an elevation of 75 feet.

Reaching the waterfall and gorge isn’t a particularly easy expedition. The trail is rugged, requiring climbing slippery rocks and wading through water. Flooding is also a common occurrence, and the base of the waterfall can only be reached weather permitting.

Burgess Falls

• Distance from Nashville: 80 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs allowed: Yes, must be leashed
• Swimming permitted: Yes

Thirteen miles southwest of Cookeville sits beautiful Burgess Falls, with waters crashing down over 250 feet in elevation. The trail is just under two miles and can be completed within 40 minutes. According to alltrails.com, the best times to visit are January through September.

Greeter Falls

• Distance from Nashville: 91.7 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs allowed: Yes, must be leashed
• Swimming permitted: Yes

The trail to reach Greeter Falls is another relatively short one. The looping trail is just a little over a mile long and can be completed within 36 minutes. Greeter Falls are truly a sight to behold — the water drops over a 15-foot ledge before plummeting over a 50-foot lower ledge into a cold, clear swimming hole.

The waterfall is a part of Savage Gulf State Park, which is home to seven waterfalls.

Twin Falls

• Distance from Nashville: 84 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed: Yes, must be leashed.
• Swimming permitted: Yes

Located in Rock Island State Park, the downstream trail to Twin Falls is a short one, only 1.6 miles in length, it takes just under an hour to complete. The park is open year-round and beautiful to visit anytime. Besides taking a dip in the cool waters, the park is also a great spot for fishing and exploring.

Great Falls

• Distance from Nashville: 84 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed: Yes, must be leashed.
• Swimming permitted: Yes

Great Falls is another waterfall located at Rock Island State Park and another great swimming option. The 30-feet horseshoe-shaped waterfall can be viewed by taking the Upstream Trail, a moderate hike half a mile one way.

Ozone Falls

• Distance from Nashville: 126 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs allowed: Yes, must be leashed
• Swimming permitted: Yes

Located in Cumberland County, Ozone Falls is one of the most picturesque falls on this list — so much that it was included in the 1994 film, “The Jungle Book.” An impressive rock formation created over time by wind, water, freeze/thaw and erosion provides an epic backdrop. The water cascades 110 feet over a sandstone cap rock into a deep pool.

The trail to reach the falls is less than a mile in length, and it is recommended to visit April through October.

Foster Falls

• Distance from Nashville: 102 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed: Yes, must be leashed
• Swimming permitted: Yes

Less than a mile in length, reaching the base of Foster Falls in Sequatchie is not a long trek. It can be completed in 20 minutes. The trail includes a suspension bridge, which provides an excellent view of the 60-foot falls. At the bottom of the waterfall is a deep pool perfect for swimming.

Fall Creek Falls

• Distance from Nashville: 126 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Dogs allowed: Yes, must be leashed.
• Swimming permitted: Yes

The trail overlooking Fall Creek Falls is be a little longer in length at 2.4 miles. However, the looping trail provides stunning views of the nearby gorge and can be completed within one hour and 21 minutes. The falls have an elevation of 633 feet and are a beautiful sight year-round.

Virgin Falls

• Distance from Nashville: 125 miles
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Dogs allowed: Yes, must be leashed
• Swimming permitted: Yes, though not at the main falls

We left the most strenuous hike for last. The trail to Virgin Falls is a little over 8 miles in length and has an elevation of 1,184 feet, so it is recommended arriving early to ensure enough time to hike the trail and back. However, the falls make for a gorgeous hiker’s reward — the water flows from out of a cave and falls 110 feet into another cave.

Diana Leyva covers breaking and trending news for The Tennessean. Connect with her by email at [email protected] or follow her on twitter at @_leyvadiana