Summertime is a great time to get out and explore the beauty that Chattanooga has to offer. Our area is home to many beautiful waterfalls, so add some of these to your list for exploring this summer.
Chattanooga Area Waterfalls
Lula Lake is one of the most well known and most visited waterfalls in our area. Located on Lookout Mountain, it boasts two beautiful waterfalls your family can visit. The hike is very family friendly, and the scenery is breathtaking. They are only open to the public a couple of weekends a month, so be sure to check their calendar before planning your trip. Online reservations are required for entry.
Cloudland Canyon is another popular spot for waterfall enthusiasts. Located on Lookout Mountain, it’s also home to two waterfalls: Hemlock Falls and Cherokee Falls. While this terrain is a little harder for children, it’s still manageable for little ones. There’s a picnic area, playground, and multiple hiking trails at this state park, so you can make a day out of it.
Glen Falls is another great spot for families. Located about five minutes from the heart of downtown Chattanooga on the side of Lookout Mountain, this waterfall is accessible for people of all ages. The trail is relatively flat and easy, and the waterfall at the end is worth the effort. Parking is very limited on the very busy Ochs Highway, so keep little ones close as you walk to the trailhead.
Blowing Wind Falls is located on the Tennessee River Gorge in Prentice Cooper State Forest. Located 10 miles from Chattanooga, this area has much to offer to families. There are numerous hiking trails, campgrounds, kayaking, overlook areas, and rock climbing.
Falling Water Falls is located just north of Signal Mountain in the small town of Walden, TN. This waterfall is 110 feet high, and is only a short hike from the parking area. It also boasts a great view of the Tennessee Valley.
Laurel Falls is located in Dayton, TN, about an hour north of Chattanooga. This hike is over a mile long, and tough in spots, so keep that in mind with little ones in tow.
Greeter Falls is just 45 minutes from downtown in Altamont, TN, and it’s also home to two beautiful waterfalls. Located in the Savage Gulf Natural Area, this hike is full of beautiful scenery.
Rainbow Falls is another great option on Signal Mountain. This is a more tucked away area that’s great for families.
Fall Creek Falls State Park is home to one of the tallest waterfalls in the Eastern United States. Fall Creek Falls is 256 feet tall, so it definitely won’t disappoint. There are also three other waterfalls to explore within the park. There’s onsite camping, cabins, and a calendar of events to make your trip here even more enjoyable.
Little River Falls is just across the state line in Alabama. This is a great spot to take little ones as there are guardrails. There is also an overlook area for those who don’t want to hike.
DeSoto Falls is also located in Alabama on Lookout Mountain. This is a beautiful waterfall with a picnic area right beside it. There’s an upper area above the falls where people like to explore, but use extreme caution as the water is very swift.
Foster Falls is a great waterfall 30 minutes from Chattanooga. It’s an easy hike, so it’s family friendly. The location also has camping, picnic areas, paved parking lots, and restrooms on the premises.
The Pocket is a great location in North Georgia for waterfall chasing. It’s a small waterfall, and the amount of water greatly depends on the amount of rain we’ve had, but it’s beautiful. It has a boardwalk that leads to the falls, so this is a great option for families.
Bald River Falls is about a two hour drive from Chattanooga. It’s a beautiful waterfall, but parking is limited and the visitor count is high, especially on the weekends.
Burgess Falls is just over an hour away in Sparta, TN. Located in Burgess Falls State Park, this sprawling waterfall is best for advanced hikers.
Ruby Falls is a popular spot in our beautiful city! While most of us wouldn’t think of this as a typical scenic waterfall, it is the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States.
I love this list! FYI that the Falling Water Falls hike is very short from the Walden parking lot to the top of the waterfall, and I was terribly worried that my kids would get too close to the top as they were trying to get a view. We’ve only gone once because it gave me so much anxiety with littles, and there’s not a great viewing spot without getting close that I know of.
There’s also Benton Falls in the Cleveland/Ocoee area. It’s been one of our family’s favorite hikes! Trailhead is located in the Chilhowee Campground. Take US Highway 64, turn left on Oswald Rd. (just past the Ocoee Ranger headquarters) to get to the campground.
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