Bald River Falls is a 95-foot tiered waterfall on the Bald River in Cherokee National Forest, Monroe County, Tennessee, where the river pours down into the Tellico River beside Tellico River Road. It can be seen straight from a Forest Service bridge, and parking is limited with heavy use on weekends and holidays.
The falls
Lidar data puts the total drop at about 95 feet over three tiers, with the main, lowest tier making up about 60 feet; other sources give 90 feet. Kayakers call the uppermost tier Kahuna Falls, but it runs directly into the main falls. After long rains or in winter, a separate seasonal stream falls about 110 feet down the cliff next to it. The Bald River comes out of the Unicoi Mountains near the North Carolina line and meets the Tellico at 1,348 feet.
Getting there
From Tellico Plains, take TN-165, the Cherohala Skyway, for about 5 miles, then turn right onto Tellico River Road (FR 210) and follow it 6.3 miles upstream to the falls. Parking is limited and first-come, first-served, with no reservations. The 1933 bridge in front of the falls closed in 2023 and was rebuilt, and the road, bridge and parking reopened on May 30, 2025.
When to go
The falls can be visited year-round, with autumn color and winter scenes both noted. Going on a weekday avoids the weekend and holiday crowds.
On site
The rebuilt bridge includes a pedestrian viewing platform directly in front of the falls, built for people who get out of their cars to look. Backcountry hiking is available upstream of the falls. On July 27, 2025, a 37-year-old visitor drowned at the falls. Stay out of the water.
History and name
Babcock Lumber Company, based in Tellico Plains, logged the Bald River and Tellico River basins heavily in the early 20th century. Today most of the watershed upstream is protected within the Bald River Gorge Wilderness and the Upper Bald River Wilderness, which Congress designated in 2018.
Nearby
Baby Falls, on the Tellico River, is about 0.2 mile away. Bald River Cascade is also 0.2 mile away, and Suislide Falls is 0.4 mile, both on the Bald River.
Distances are straight-line.