Waterfall Hikes Near Athens, TN

14,091 residents
New York Time Zone
44 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Athens splits the drive between Chattanooga and Knoxville, and its waterfall reach runs east into the Cherokee National Forest. Bald River Falls is the famous one out of Tellico Plains, 90 feet high and visible from the road bridge. Benton Falls takes an easy three miles to a 65 foot drop, dogs allowed. Snow Falls is the long haul at ten miles round trip, and the dog can come if its legs can. Forty-four falls land in range.

Located at 35.4573°N, -84.6045°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Athens

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

40 of 44 gauged

40 waterfalls near Athens have live flow data today

Abrams Falls Barely Flowing Bald River Falls Moderate Bullet Creek Falls Moderate Basin Falls Barely Flowing Laurel Falls Barely Flowing Ozone Falls Barely Flowing Bemis Camp Falls Barely Flowing Big Falls Barely Flowing Leatherwood Falls Barely Flowing Middle Falls Barely Flowing Santeetlah Bluff Falls Barely Flowing Sassafras Falls Barely Flowing Upper Falls Barely Flowing Stewart Falls Barely Flowing Benton Falls Moderate Cane Creek Falls Barely Flowing Fall Creek Falls Barely Flowing Hemlock Falls Barely Flowing Piney Creek Falls Barely Flowing Virgin Falls Barely Flowing Double Drop Falls Barely Flowing Jacks Rock Falls Barely Flowing Double Falls Barely Flowing Flatrock Falls Barely Flowing Hilliard Falls Barely Flowing Pilot Falls Barely Flowing Ray Falls Barely Flowing Stinging Fork Falls Barely Flowing Kennedy Falls Moderate Lower Falls Moderate Queens Falls Moderate Lower Piney Falls Low Upper Piney Falls Low Middle Creek Falls Barely Flowing Three Creeks Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 3 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

This Afternoon

Mostly Sunny · 96°F

Aft 96°F Mostly Sunny Best
Sat 96°F Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sun 93°F Sunny
Lab 90°F Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Tue 90°F Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Wed 91°F Slight Chance Rain Showers
Thu 93°F Sunny

Flowing best right now near Athens

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Kennedy Falls Moderate · 646 cfs 62nd percentile
  2. 2 Lower Falls Moderate · 646 cfs 62nd percentile
  3. 3 Queens Falls Moderate · 646 cfs 62nd percentile
  4. 4 Benton Falls Moderate · 25 cfs 26th percentile
  5. 5 Lower Piney Falls Low · 37 cfs 18th percentile
  6. 6 Upper Piney Falls Low · 37 cfs 18th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Athens hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Athens

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Athens (9 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Benton Falls waterfall

Benton Falls

13.6 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
3.0 miles 200 ft
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

29.2 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
2.6 miles 314 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Athens (23 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Snow Falls waterfall

Snow Falls

32.3 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Lower Piney Falls waterfall

Lower Piney Falls

21.6 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.5 miles 300 ft

All 44 Waterfalls Near Athens

Bullet Creek Falls waterfall

Bullet Creek Falls

24.7 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
3.0 miles 400 ft
Benton Falls waterfall

Benton Falls

13.6 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
3.0 miles 200 ft
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

29.2 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
2.6 miles 314 ft
Snow Falls waterfall

Snow Falls

32.3 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Morphy Falls

30.9 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Lower Piney Falls waterfall

Lower Piney Falls

21.6 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.5 miles 300 ft
Upper Piney Falls waterfall

Upper Piney Falls

21.4 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 200 ft
Bald River Falls waterfall

Bald River Falls

28.5 miles away
Tennessee
Drive Up
0.1 miles 50 ft
Laurel Falls waterfall

Laurel Falls

31.9 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
2.6 miles 314 ft
Ray Falls waterfall

Ray Falls

21.9 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Stinging Fork Falls waterfall

Stinging Fork Falls

47.7 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Lower Falls waterfall

Lower Falls

30.9 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.5 miles 100 ft
Crystal Falls waterfall

Crystal Falls

25.1 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

Hilliard Falls

33.7 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Basin Falls waterfall

Basin Falls

25 miles away
Tennessee
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Ozone Falls waterfall

Ozone Falls

25.4 miles away
Tennessee
Easy
0.6 miles 100 ft

Bemis Camp Falls

35.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Stewart Falls waterfall

Stewart Falls

35.3 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Santeetlah Bluff Falls

35.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Upper Falls waterfall

Upper Falls

44.5 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.5 miles 100 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Athens

Are there free waterfalls near Athens?

There are 21 free waterfalls near Athens, including Bald River Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Athens?

There are 9 easy waterfall hikes near Athens, including Bald River Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Athens?

There are 23 dog-friendly waterfalls near Athens, including Bald River Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Athens?

There are 23 kid-friendly waterfalls near Athens, including Abrams Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Athens?

There is 1 waterfall that allows swimming near Athens, including Lower Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Athens?

The shortest waterfall hike near Athens is Abrams Falls at 0.1 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Athens?

The tallest waterfall near Athens is Fall Creek Falls at 256 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Athens require permits?

Yes, 1 waterfall near Athens requires a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Athens?

Yes, 31 waterfalls near Athens have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Athens?

The closest waterfall to Athens is Bullet Creek Falls, approximately 14.8 miles away.

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