Middle Tennessee is laden with many waterfalls. So, why not check a few out while in Nashville? Here’s my list of the 9 closest waterfalls to Nashville.
All are less than 100 miles from Nashville and require very little walking. If you’re ok with just an overview look, great. But if you’re wanting to see that falls from below, many trails can get steep. A couple are visible without getting out of the car! I have been to most but not all of them.
This is in no way all inclusive. There are several more hikes within 100 miles that require longer hiking or are much more rigorous.
I’ve put these into 3 different groups based on distances between areas.
Let’s hit the road to the closest waterfalls to Nashville!
The first group is along the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Jackson Falls
59 miles from Nashville 1hr 5 minutes
Located just south of mile marker 405 on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Walk to the falls is 0.4 miles of steep but paved trail with hand rails.
Fall Hollow Falls
72 miles from Nashville 1hr 12 minutes
Located at mile marker 392 on the Natchez Trace Parkway. There is a viewing platform 0.3 miles in but can also climb down to bottom for better view. The climb is steep and slick.
Stillhouse Hollow Falls
68 miles from Nashville 1hr 8 minutes
Located within the Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area near Summertown. This is approximately 15 miles off the Natchez Trace. The overlook is 0.3 miles and to falls is 0.7 miles. The trail down to the falls can be rocky, steep and slick.
Jackson Falls Fall Hollow Fall Hollow
This group is located about 70 miles down I-24 toward Chattanooga.
Rutledge Falls
70.3 miles from Nashville 1 hr 9 minutes
This waterfall is located on private property but they graciously allow visitors. So don’t be trashy! It is an easy 0.2 mile walk to overlook.
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
64 miles 1 hr
I wrongly assumed this was a civil war park, it is a Native American site. The trail is rather easy with THREE waterfalls along the 1.4 mile natural trail.
Old Stone Fort Old Stone Fort Old Stone Fort Rutledge Falls Rutledge Falls
These are west of Nashville along I-40.
Cummins Falls
82 miles from Nashville 1hr 18 minutes
0.4 to overlook, 1 mile or 1.5 miles to the bottom of falls. If want to go to bottom falls a permit is required.
City Lake Falls
83 miles from Nashville 1hr 15minutes
Located within City Lake Natural Area in Cookville. The trail is an easy 0.6 mile trail.
Burgess Falls
80 miles from Nashville 1hr 18 minutes
1.1 mile trail to base of falls is 0.3 miles but very strenuous. (As of 11/17/2020 the trail to the bottom of the falls is closed.)
Rock Island State Park
85 miles from Nashville 1hr 45 minutes
You can see it from parking lot but the hike along the shore is nice and easy for about 0.5 mile.
Bonus Nashville Waterfall
There is a sort of waterfall right in the center of a subdivision in West Nashville. The address is 404 Hathaway Ct, Nashville, TN 37205. If there has been a lot of rain recently, it should be pretty awesome. But if no rain, there may not be a lot of water falling. But it’s still a nice area even without running water.
Which waterfall is your favorite or are you dying to visit once in Nashville?
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