Northeast Tennessee Waterfalls

Fall Creek Falls

2007-06-19T20:40:00.001-04:00

Directions coming soon. I went to the park in the fall.

Another Waterfall Off of The Natchez Trace Parkway

2007-06-19T20:39:00.001-04:00

Here's another one. More details to come soon.

Jackson Falls off of the Natchez Trace Parkway

2007-06-19T20:32:00.001-04:00

So, it's been a while since I posted. Here are a few pictures of Jackson Falls just off of the Natchez Trace Parkway, not too far from Nashville. I'll add directions soon.

Bay's Mountain in Sullivan County Tenn.

2006-01-12T21:15:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures from Bay's Mountain, where you can find Bay's Mountain Falls.

Old Falls

2005-12-31T11:22:00.000-05:00

Ok, so this one is not in Northeast Tennessee, but I had time to kill over the holidays (we were in Franklin, Tenn.) and visited the closest waterfall I could find. Old Falls, is about 20 minutes off of the Natchez Trace Parkway. As you can see, a house was built in the middle of the site.

Directions are coming soon.

Waterfall Tours?

2005-12-21T14:34:00.000-05:00

I have made this blog so that the public can go and visit waterfalls for free. There have been a few people who have expressed interest in guided tours. If others are interested please contact me by e-mail or by leaving a comment. I am trying to determine what the level of interest is. I couldn't do it for free because of gas costs. And, if a lot of people were interested I would have even more costs because of rules for bringing people to national forests for a fee, i.e. cpr training costs, national forest licences and insurance. But I would love to help others experience the beauty of this region.

Pine Ridge Falls

2005-12-17T12:41:00.000-05:00

This appears to be Pine Ridge Falls, not Sill Branch Falls, like I first thought. Both are in Unicoi County, but are very close to Washington & Greene Counties. There are also some nice cataracts to see on the way. These falls can be found down a gravel road and then a short 1/2 mile hike.

Directions: Drive to Clarks Creek Road from state road 107, located 4.9 miles west of state road 81, going toward Greeneville. Clarks Creek Road is also 15 miles east of U.S. 321, coming from Greeneville. Drive 1.5 miles south on Clarks Creek Road. The road turns to gravel and you will drive another 1.6 miles. Here the road crosses the creek a third time and then, after another 0.4 miles, a large unsigned turnout serves as the parking area for the trail.

The trail is a little rocky, but bear left at all junctions. After 0.4 miles you will cross the south fork of Sill Branch and then hike another 0.1 miles to the end of the path at the falls. If you get confused the falls are fairly loud. A few cataracts are loud, but don't mistake them for Sill Branch Falls.

Kelley Falls in Greene County

2005-12-17T12:24:00.000-05:00

Here's some photos of Kelley Falls in Greene County. Dudley Falls is just two miles down the road. The great thing about these two falls is that a paved road takes you right to both. However, in December 2005 the road was closed to cars for renovation. You can still walk though and I'm sure it will be done soon. Also, this area is great for trout fishing, especially for fly fishing.

Directions: Drive 3.4 miles east of state road 70 on state road 107 to Rollings Chapel Road, the way to Paint Creek Camp. (107 disappears for like 15 miles and then reappears. If you are coming from Washington County & state road 81, then take state road 351 south instead of driving 107 all the way into Greeneville. 351 south will take you the 15 miles or so back to 107.) Drive 0.4 miles, then turn right on Lower Paint Creek Road. The campground and Moses Bend Picnic Area will be found after another 1.7 miles. Then drive an additional 0.5 miles along Lower Paint Creek Road to a small unsigned turnout just downstream from the falls.

On the Creeper Trail near Damascus, VA

2005-10-23T20:08:00.000-04:00

Here are a few falls, or rapids, just off of the Virginia Creeper Trail.

Off Lone Oak Rd in South JC

2005-10-23T20:05:00.000-04:00

These falls, or rapids really, are not far from Johnson City and Cherokee Elementary.

Directions: Drive to Cherokee Elementary School in south Johnson City. At the four-way intersection of Cherokee Road and Lone Oak Road, turn south onto Lone Oak Road (which is Dry Creek Road if you're coming from the Lamar school and community). You will go exactly 7.5 miles on one of the least advertised but prettiest drives in Washington County. There will be a small parking area on the left side of the road. Park there and follow the trails down to the creeks. Be very careful not to slip and fall. Also, look out for broken glass and perhaps drunk partyers.

Nearby, at Buffalo Mountain Camp, are Ramsey Creek Falls and a water hole, but I have not tried to get to them.

Lower Rock Creek Falls

2005-07-13T21:45:00.000-04:00

Here are some pics of Lower Rock Creek Falls in Unicoi County. I am disappointed with them.

DIRECTIONS: Take Exit 19 off of I-26. Turn right coming from Johnson City and left coming from Erwin. Go 0.2 mile and turn right onto Unicoi Road. Go 0.4 mile and turn left on to state road 395. Go 3.1 miles to Rock Creek Park, on your left. Drive all the way through the park past campsite loops A, B and C. There is a nice gravel parking and picnic area at the head of Rock Creek Trail. Follow the signs for Rock Creek Falls Trail and do not follow the bike trails. The hike to the lower falls is 1.7 miles and much of it is steep and rocky. There are at least four stream crossings. There are plenty of smaller falls that you will see before you reach the lower falls.

DIRECTIONS to Upper Rock Creek Falls: Continue more steep hiking past the lower falls for another 0.3 mile. The trail ends at the base of Upper Rock Creek Falls. These falls are also known simply as Rock Creek Falls.

Upper Rock Creek Falls

2005-07-13T21:42:00.000-04:00

Here are some pretty bad pictures of Upper Rock Creek Falls in Unicoi County.

DIRECTIONS: Take Exit 19 off of I-26. Turn right coming from Johnson City and left coming from Erwin. Go 0.2 mile and turn right onto Unicoi Road. Go 0.4 mile and turn left on to state road 395. Go 3.1 miles to Rock Creek Park, on your left. Drive all the way through the park past campsite loops A, B and C. There is a nice gravel parking and picnic area at the head of Rock Creek Trail. Follow the signs for Rock Creek Falls Trail and do not follow the bike trails. The hike to the lower falls is 1.7 miles and much of it is steep and rocky. Continue more steep hiking past the lower falls for another 0.3 mile. The trail ends at the base of Upper Rock Creek Falls. These falls are also known simply as Rock Creek Falls. There are at least four stream crossings. There are plenty of smaller falls that you will see before you reach the lower falls.

Elrod Falls

2005-06-30T18:50:00.000-04:00

Here are some pics of Elrod Falls in Hancock County. These falls are only about 10 minutes from the town of Sneedville.

DIRECTIONS: Take state road 31 either 7 miles south of Sneedville or 11 miles north of Mooresburg to an unnamed gravel road labelled with a small sign for the falls. Turn right from Sneedville and left from Mooresburg. Follow this road for 0.6 miles and then turn left on the first gravel road you see. A picnic area exists at the end of the road after 0.6 miles, though you will pass one or two picnic areas before you reach the road's end. A trail leads 0.1 miles to the base of the falls, which include two small, natural swimming areas. There is an additional cascade above the falls, but getting to it can be treacherous.

Backbone Rock Falls

2005-06-28T23:15:00.000-04:00

Here are some pics of Backbone Rock Falls. I have also included a pic of Backbone Rock. These are not too impressive, but it is a neat place to visit if you are near Shady Valley, Tenn., or Damascus, Va. Apparently there is another cascade close by.

DIRECTIONS: This recreation area is 10 miles north of junction U.S. 421 on state road 133. Park at the turnout on the right side of the road, just before the tunnel through Backbone Rock. Follow the loop trail to the right, which initially follows the road before heading upstream. The base of the falls is in 0.4 miles from the start of the trail.

An Audio Welcome

2005-06-20T22:05:00.000-04:00

Millstone Creek Falls

2005-05-30T21:29:00.000-04:00

This waterfall is located in Washington County, near Unicoi County. It is on private property.

DIRECTIONS: Take exit 18 off of Interstate 26 and proceed westward on state road 81 toward Jonesborough. Drive 4 miles to Arnold Road, continuing straight ahead instead of cross the Nolichucky River on state road 81. Drive 0.9 miles on Arnold Road to an unsigned turnout south of Millstone Creek, on the left side of Arnold Road, adjoining the Nolichucky River. You will pass one or two previous turnouts before you get to this one. There is a small footpath across the street from the turnout. The falls are about 150 yards up the path, in someone's back yard.

Blue Hole (Falls)

2005-05-10T16:23:00.000-04:00

This is Blue Hole Falls in Carter County. Many just call it Blue Hole. I think you can see why.

DIRECTIONS: Starting at the junction of state road 91 and U.S. 321 in Elizabethton, drive east on 91 for 10 miles. Turn left (north) on Panhandle Road at the national forest sign for blue hole. Drive 0.9 miles to the parking area. The trail to the right leads 0.1 miles down wooden steps to the base of the main falls.

Behind Blue Hole

2005-05-10T16:21:00.000-04:00

These falls are behind Blue Hole Falls.

This is the upper falls that feeds the main falls at Blue Hole.

On the way to Laurel Falls

2005-05-10T16:15:00.000-04:00

This is a small set of falls before you get to Laurel Falls. There are two or three of these along the way, I believe. I also think this is what is known as Upper Laurel Falls.

Laurel Falls

2005-05-10T16:13:00.000-04:00

Here are some decent pics of the mighty Laurel Falls in Carter County. She is a beauty.

DIRECTIONS: Drive 0.8 miles east of the town of Hampton on U.S. 321. Turn at Dennis Cove Road, by the brown national forest campground sign. Dennis Cove Camp is 4.8 miles up the steep, winding road. However, 0.8 miles west of the camp, or 4 miles from U.S. 321, is the small parking area for the Appalachian Trail. Follow the white rectangle blazed trail north for 1.3 miles. You will cross Laurel Fork on a footbridge, and the last 0.3 miles are pretty steep.

Spivey Falls

2005-05-10T16:05:00.000-04:00

This is one of the four Spivey Falls in Unicoi County. It is practically someone's back yard. The pics were taken in a light rain and they are not the best. Hopefully I will go back and take better ones. There is an upper falls, as well as two other, smaller falls, each of which I have not been to yet.

DIRECTIONS: Take exit 12 off of Interstate 26 at Temple Hill Road. Continue southward on U.S. 19W for 1.1 miles. Turn left, staying on 19W and go 3 miles to an unmarked paved road on the right. This narrow road will take you to the waterfall.

DIRECTIONS (to upper Spivey Falls, not pictured): Take exit 12 off of Interstate 26 at Temple Hill Road. Continue southward on U.S. 19W for 1.1 miles. Turn left, staying on 19W and go 4 miles to an undesignated turnout on the right side of the road. Right past the turnout is a driveway and a small sign disignating the trailhead to the falls. The path includes wooden and stone steps most of the way.

Red Fork Falls

2005-05-10T15:59:00.000-04:00

This is Red Fork Falls in Unicoi County, not too far from Beauty Spot on Unaka Mtn.

DIRECTIONS: Take exit 23 off of Interstate 26. Turn south (right) at the town of Unicoi. Drive 0.8 miles to state road 107. Turn left (eastward) and go 7.6 miles, then turn right on Unaka Mountain Road. After 0.7 miles the road turns to gravel. Drive another 0.5 miles and park at an undesignated turnout by a 4WD road. Hike down this road. You'll reach the creek quickly and have to ford it, and then do it again in 100 feet. Follow the path to the top of the falls, though the path is not very clear in the beginning. A fairly steep short path is to the left of the falls and takes you to the base. Don't go to the brink of the falls. Many have and many have died. There are also lots of smaller cascades above and below these falls.

Boone's Creek Falls

2005-05-10T15:55:00.000-04:00

This used to be a waterfall, as you can see from the first photo. Daniel Boone hid from indians under it. It is located in Boone's Creek, just north of Johnson City.

DIRECTIONS: Take exit 38 on Interstate 26. Turn right if you are coming from Johnson City. Turn left if you are coming from Gray. Drive 0.8 miles and turn right before you get to the four way stop light. Drive 0.3 miles to the unsigned turnout just before the small bridge that crosses the creek. A lawn mowing company has recently located here. Walk on the bridge to view what is left of the falls.

Elk Falls

2005-05-10T15:52:00.000-04:00

Here are some pics of Elk Falls just across the Tenn. state line into North Carolina.

DIRECTIONS: Drive on U.S. 19E from Tennessee into North Carolina. Go 0.9 miles after you cross the state line. Turn left at sign for the falls. Then turn left again in a quick 0.3 miles. You will then drive 4.2 miles, mostly slow and winding, to a turnout and parking area. Follow the trail to the base of the falls.

Fall Branch Falls

2005-05-10T15:41:00.000-04:00

Here are pictures of Fall Branch Falls, just off of Hwy. 93. This is near the Washington/Sullivan County line. I have also included a picture of Fall Brach just above the falls. It is quite a steep hike up to there, and possibly not worth it. It is also someone's back yard, right off of Hwy. 93.

DIRECTIONS: Drive to Exit 50 on Interstate 81. Turn right if you are coming from Johnson City and turn left if you are coming from Morristown. Drive 2.9 miles through the town of Fall Branch on Hwy. 93. Turn left on Baileyton Rd. (also known as Horton Hwy.). The falls are 0.8 miles later, on your left in a cow field. When I went there was wood pile in the field with a rusty truck on top. I don't think that is moving anytime soon. On the right is a house, close to a barn and these are the people who own the land with the falls. Ask them for permission and then follow the path and creek to the falls.

Waterfalls in Tennessee

2005-01-08T02:10:00.000-05:00

This blog will serve to inform others about the beautiful waterfalls of this great state. Feel free to comment. I will draw from Greg Plumb's book "Waterfalls of Tennessee." However, I want to only post after I have actually been there. And I will post some close to Tennessee such as ones in North Carolina.

If you want to buy Mr. Plumb's book, then go here. The ISBN # for the 1996 edition is 1570720576 .