Fall Creek Falls is a 203-foot plunge waterfall on Fall Creek in Van Buren County, Tennessee, in the state park named for it on the Cumberland Plateau. The water rolls over a rounded lip and free-falls into a gorge cut in the plateau's sandstone, and it can be seen from an overlook by the parking lot or from its base at the end of a short, steep trail.
The falls
Lidar-derived terrain models put the drop at 203 feet. Earlier surveys listed 256 feet, which is still the figure Tennessee State Parks uses when it calls the falls the state's highest; a climber reported the free fall below the rounded roll at the top as about 178 feet. The ledge is resistant Sewanee Conglomerate and Warren Point Sandstone sitting on softer Raccoon Mountain Formation shale.
Getting there
The falls are in Fall Creek Falls State Park, managed by Tennessee State Parks. A park road leads to the Fall Creek Falls parking lot and overlook. The park itself is open 24 hours, but the road to the falls is locked at dark and day-use areas close at sunset.
From the overlook, the Base of Falls Trail drops 0.35 mile on a natural surface; the park rates it difficult and warns the climb back out is very strenuous. The trail was listed as open in September 2026. Another guide puts the round trip at about 0.8 mile with a descent of nearly 300 feet. The 0.95-mile Woodland Trail also reaches the overlook from the suspension bridge.
When to go
Afternoon light works well for hiking to the base, while late day suits views from the overlook. Morning fog and fall color have been photographed in late October after overnight rain.
On site
Railings at the overlook can get in the way of photos. The park asks visitors to take care around waterfalls and cliff edges. Accessible parking, restrooms and trails are available in the park, along with all-terrain wheelchairs.
History and name
The correct name is the singular Fall Creek Falls; some maps label it Falls Creek Falls.
Nearby
Coon Creek Falls is practically alongside, and Cane Creek Falls and Rockhouse Falls are each about 0.4 mile away. Piney Creek Falls is 1.7 miles off; the Piney Falls Trail from the Fall Creek Falls parking lot remains closed after a 2023 tornado.
Distances are straight-line.