When we’re talking about waterfall hikes in the US, Nashville might not be your first guess. But secretly Nashville has a ton of waterfall hiking trails all fairly close to the city center. We’ll be recommending the seven best waterfall trails you should explore.
Why Should You Hike Waterfalls in Nashville?
Before we check out these hike trails, let’s first know why we should hike waterfalls in Nashville. There are so many reasons why hiking waterfalls in Nashville should be on your bucket list, whether you are just visiting or a local.
Get Out of the City
First hiking in Nashville gives you a change of scenery. From the urban hustle and bustle to the serenity of this remote location, you can unwind from work stress and explore the wonders of nature. Every once in a while, you should take your family and even pets for a full sensory experience.
Explore Waterfalls Flowing From the Spring Rain
It’s one thing to hike on a plain trail and enjoy the view of nature from on top of a mountain and another thing to hike on a waterfall trail. The experience is entirely different and more memorable. The experience is even more memorable during the Spring season after a fresh rain, when the water is running at full capacity.
Waterfalls Hikes Are Unique
Unlike the conventional hike trails that involve backpacking and mountaineering, waterfall hikes involve climbing around and through a stream or river. So if you love swimming, you can spice up your hike with a brief dip in the water to refresh yourself. It doesn’t get any better than this. Plus, some of the waterfall hikes are dog friendly, meaning your pup can also cool down in the waterfall.
Getting to Nashville
Nashville is serviced by a major airport (BNA). Your best bet is flying into Nashville Airport and then renting a car from there. I highly recommend renting a car if you want to get out of the city, because public transportation is effectively non-existent.
Nashville is also close to many states in the South, making it a popular option for a weekend road trip.
Looking for a place to stay in Nashville? Airbnb is a great option! It will be the most affordable way to stay with a large group, so you don’t have to book multiple hotel rooms. Check out this popular Airbnb.
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Best Time for Hiking in Nashville
You can hike at any time, but the best time to hike on the waterfall trails in Nashville is the Spring season. The weather in March, April and May starts to warm up and you will get anywhere from 60 to 70 degrees. Plus, it’s likely that with the melted snow and recent rainfall, the waterfalls will be flowing at full force! One thing you will have to watch out for in the Spring is that the bugs will start to come out as well.
Summer is another popular waterfall hiking season in Nashville too. However, I personally find summer too humid and muggy to go hiking. Everyone is different though, so it really just depends on how you adapt to the weather!
Fall may bring up some different hiking characteristics. One on hand, the waterfalls won’t be rushing as much because you’ve had to go through the summer without much rain. On the other hand, you might see some changes in the fall colors. Fall is not a bad option for hiking waterfalls in Nashville either.
The winter season in Nashville starts in November and ends in February, with the coldest month being January. This is because, during winter, you’re exposed to views that were hidden by the density of the vegetation during spring and summer. In addition, the rivers and waterfalls will be frozen, giving you an icy sheet of water to glide on. Also, the cold during the winter season in Nashville is not as severe as it is in other states.
Packing List for Waterfalls Hiking
Hiking Boots / Shoes
Hiking boots are the most important gear to have when you are hiking. If you wear your normal running shoes or sandals, you can easily get blisters or accidentally trip because you don’t have enough traction on your shoes.
Hiking boots are a great option if you are a beginner hiker. It will help your feet and ankles be more stable on any rock scrambles. My favorite hiking boots are from Salomon. If you are a more advanced hiker, you might consider dropping hiking boots for something lighter like a trail runner. I like wearing Hoka’s or adidas.
Sun Protection
Always remember to have sun protection, even if you are hiking in the winter! I always bring a hat and layer on SPF. The sun is surprisingly hot in Nashville.
Water Storage
The Nashville hiking trails can be deceptively hot and dry, especially in the summer. Always pack more water and be thankful that you have enough left over at the end of your hike. My general rule of thumb is 1L of water per hour of hiking.
Summer Hiking Clothing
Lastly, summer hiking clothing will keep you cool. If I’m going on a real hike, I will never wear cotton because it’s just a horribly inefficient material. For more details on why that is, check my post on Essential Hiking Clothes!
7 Best Waterfall Hikes in Nashville
1. Jackson Falls
0.4 miles | 49 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly | 1 hour from Nashville
Jackson Falls hike trail measures 0.4 miles of an out and back trail situated close to the Duck River. It’s a short trail, and the hike can be completed in about 15 mins. The elevation gain of this trail is fairly small. The degree of difficulty for this hiking trail is categorized as easy, which makes it an excellent trail for walking, hiking, etc. The trail is also paved, which makes it a great hiking option to bring smaller kids on. Just be careful with them as sometimes the trail can get slippery.
Lastly, humans aren’t the only ones who can enjoy the privilege of hiking on this trail; you can also bring along your pets. However, dogs should be leashed to be permitted on the trail. The trail is open 365 days a year and can be visited or explored any time of the year.
2. Baker Bluff to Jackson Falls
1.1 miles | 193 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly | 1 hr from Nashville
Baker Bluff to Jackson Falls trail is an easy trail situated near Duck River. It’s the slightly longer version of the 0.4 mile Jackson Falls hike above. It will take you around 30 minutes to complete this waterfalls hiking trail near Nashville. The floor is partially paved but very steep, which calls for caution while you’re having fun on the hike. This trail has a great overlook, and hikers are rewarded with a front-seat view of the waterfalls at the end of the trail.
This waterfalls hiking trail will be slightly less busy than the others.
3. The Narrows Tunnel Trail
0.7 miles | 57 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly | 35 minutes from Nashville
The Narrows Tunnel Trail is also an out and back hike trail covering 0.7 mi and can be completed in about 20 minutes. It has an elevation gain of 79 ft which means there is very little elevation. This trail is close to Kingston Springs which would be a good place to stop for food and snacks. Like Jackson Falls, it has low human traffic, and it’s open to hikers throughout the year.
The Narrows Tunnel Trail has a small parking space where hikers can park their vehicles before changing their hiking gear. The trail is rocky and inclined upwards. However, you have to be careful on your trip down because of the mud. The trail has clear signposts, which is one feature that makes this trail easy to navigate.
4. Twin Falls and Downstream Trail
1.6 miles | 223 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly | 35 minutes from Nashville
This waterfall hiking trail is located in Rock Island State Park. The trail is 1.6 miles and has an elevation gain of 223 ft. This makes it longer and higher than Jackson Falls and The Narrows Tunnel Trail. It’s categorized as an easy trail and will take about 50 minutes to complete. The ease of hiking on this trail makes it friendly to kids and pets.
Twin Falls is located at the confluence point between Caney Fork and Collins Rivers, which gives hikers breath-taking views of the waterfalls and overlooks throughout the landscape. The cascading waterfalls are truly beautiful and makes it worth the hike!
The trail has a parking space that comprises a limestone gorge, a sandy beach, and a luxuriant forest. The trail path is narrow in certain spots, and you have to watch your balance because of the topography. You also get to rock-hop on the river, which is exciting. However, you should be careful because it can also be very dangerous.
5. Burgess Falls Trails
1.6 miles | 209 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly | 1 hr 15 min from Nashville
This out and back hike trail is situated at Burgess Falls State Park near Baxter. It has the same length as Twin Falls and Downstream Trail and almost the same elevation gain as well. Though the trail is accessible to hikers throughout the year, the period between January and September is the best time to go hiking on this trail.
This waterfalls hiking trail is also dog friendly and suitable for young children. Burgess Falls State Park is very popular among locals. Although it’s a little bit longer to drive to Burgess Falls, you’re likely to see a good amount of other hikers, especially if you hike on the weekends. If you want a little bit more peace and quiet on your hike, definitely shoot for the weekday or early on the weekend.
There are a couple of overlooks on this trail that serve hikers with an amazing view. And of course, the reward at the end is the beautiful waterfalls!
6. Cummins Falls Trail
3.0 miles | 452 ft elevation gain | Dog Friendly | 1 hr 30 min from Nashville
This waterfall trail covers more distance than the first four trails on this list. This hiking trail is situated in Cummins Falls State Park, Bloomington Springs and it is about 30 minutes north of Burgess Falls State Park/ To complete this waterfalls trail will take about 90 minutes, and there will likely be high human traffic. Cummins Falls Trail is categorized as a moderate trail. To gain entry to the bottom of the waterfall on this trail, you’ll require a permit. You can get the permit from their website.
This hiking trail may be closed if the weather conditions are not right or during flooding. So you must check if there’s any closure on the Cummins Falls Trail official Facebook page before going there. Also, the trail is very steep and rugged, making it unsuitable for little kids. You’re also advised to wear water shoes because you’ll have to go through the river at some point. One more thing, you should stay away from the river if the water is above knee-level.
7. Window Cliffs
5.3 miles | 662 ft elevation gain | Not Dog Friendly | 1 hr 15 min from Nashville
This is the longest and steepest waterfall trail on this list. The degree of difficulty on this hiking trail is categorized as moderate even though it’s longer in mileage because there isn’t much elevation on this waterfalls hiking trail. Parents are generally advised against bringing their kids along for this hiking trip because of thelength, but I have seen kids enjoy this hike as well. It’s up to you – you know your kids best!
This waterfalls hiking trail near Nashville is unfortunately the only one on that list that is not dog friendly. Hiking on Window Cliffs trail will take you through a creek many times, and the depth of the water depends on the weather. So be mindful of this trail during the rainy season because the water level will increase, making the creek difficult to cross.
Summary of Hiking Waterfalls in Nashville
Waterfall hiking gives a new dimension to a hiking experience. It should be on your to-do list in Nashville, even if you hadn’t though of Music City through that lens before. Before you wear your hiking gear and select the trail of your choice, ensure you’re familiar with the precautions to be taken. Make proper research on the trail before you embark on a hike. Some trails require water shoes, while others are not suitable for your kids. Also, check for seasonal closure.
What are your favorite waterfalls hiking trails near Nashville?
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3 Comments
Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for all the info. I’m planning my vacation. this has been a lot of help!
Can we swim at any of these places?
Cummins Falls or Jackson Falls are great swimming options