Not only is Tennessee home to a great music scene, amazing food, lots of Southern hospitality and friendly people, it's also home to plenty of beautiful land, rolling hills, and GORGEOUS waterfalls within driving distance from Nashville. Even as a native in Nashville of 29 years, it seems like I just can't get enough of exploring our beautiful state!

Burgess Falls

Drive time from Nashville: 1 hour & 30 mins

Address: 4000 Burgess Falls Drive, Sparta, TN

Activities at Burgess Falls include:

Hiking with 3 different trails

River Trail — 0.8 Miles — Natural Surface — Difficult/ strenuous
Trail to base of main falls — 0.3 Miles — Natural Surface — very strenuous
Ridge Top Trail — 0.5 Miles — Natural Surface — moderate

*the stairs down to the main falls are currently closed

Fishing. Fishing is good for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and bream. The most popular fishing sites are below the dam and the main waterfall along the bank and at the fishing pier. There are no public boat ramps or canoe/kayak access areas on the park. (Source tnstateparks.com)
Birdwatching

Rutledge Falls

Drive time from Nashville: 1 hour & 15 mins

Address: Rutledge Falls Rd, Tullahoma, TN

Activities at Rutledge Falls include:

Hiking (easy)
Picnicking
Swimming (water remains cold all year)

Rutledge Falls is 40 feet high.

*please note it's a little difficult to find, but you can park near the church. This is privately owned, open from dawn until dusk.

Cummins Falls

Drive time from Nashville: 1 hour & 45 mins

Address: 1081 Cummins Mill Road, Cookeville, TN

Activities at Cummins Falls include:

Swimming (life jackets are advised)
Hiking. The hike will be challenging and require you to walk through water.
Rock jumping
Day-use park only. Pets allowed on a leash. No camping is allowed but available nearby at Standing Stone State Park and Edgar Evins State Park.

Cummins Falls is 75 feet high.

Cane Creek Falls

Drive time from Nashville: 2 hours

Address: 2009 Village Camp Road, Pikeville, TN

Activities at Cane Creek Falls include:

Swimming. The large swimming hole is great for jumping or diving into.
Hiking. You will want to head down the Cable Trail to get to the bottom of the waterfall.

Cane Creek Falls is 85 feet high.

Ozone Falls

Drive time from Nashville: 1 hour & 50 mins

Address: 24 Office Dr. S., Crossville, TN

My favorite part about Ozone Falls is that certain scenes of "The Jungle Book" were filmed there because of it's easy access and beauty. Activities include:

Hiking. It is 0.8 miles to get to the falls and described as moderate. Trails open from April-October and dogs are allowed. They must be kept on a leash.
Swimming. There is an aqua blue swimming hole.

Ozone Falls is 110 feet high.

Twin Falls

Drive time from Nashville: 1 hour & 20 mins

Address: 82 Beach Road, Rock Island, TN

Activities at Twin Falls include:

Kayaking
Hiking
Swimming
Camping. Cabins and tent campground on site at Rock Island State Park
Picnicking

Both waterfalls are 80 feet tall.

Foster Falls

Drive time from Nashville: 1 hour & 30 mins

Address: 498 Foster Road, Sequatchie, TN

Activities at Foster Falls include

Camping -campsites available
Swimming
Rock climbing
Cliff jumping
Grilling - grills on site

Foster Falls is 60 feet high.

Fall Creek Falls

Drive time from Nashville: 2 hours

Address: 10821 Park Road, Spencer, TN

Fall Creek Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the Eastern U.S. at 256 feet. Activities include:

Hiking
No jumping!
Campground on site with cabins
Eating. There is a restaurant on site Gaul's Gallery
Picnicking with 5 pavilions available for rent

Greeter Falls

Drive time from Nashville: 1 hour & 40 mins

Address: 435 Greeter Falls Road, Lower Falls Trail, Altamont, TN

Activities at Greeter Falls include:

Swimming in the "Blue Hole"
Hiking: 1/2 mile hike to get to Greeter Falls. Dogs allowed and must be kept on a leash.

Greeter Falls is 50 feet high.

Contrary to the beliefs of TLC and all of us who have been singing along to "Waterfalls" since 1994, I say you should absolutely go chasin' those waterfalls! I know, I know, the song has no relation to actual waterfalls, but I couldn't resist. Have fun & most importantly BE SAFE!!

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Thank you guys for reading! XOXO- Amber