Is it the size, the power, or the journey to the falls that make waterfalls so awe-inspiring? Maybe it’s the combination of all three, whatever the reason, waterfalls will continue to draw us in. These natural water features are found throughout Southern Tennessee and the surrounding Northern Georgia area. But how do these dynamic works of art come into existence and where are the closest waterfalls to Cascade Outdoors in Ocoee, TN?
What makes a waterfall?
Waterfall formation requires four basic components: water, a land surface made from different types of rock or sediment (hard and soft), a vertical drop, and gravity. As water flows downstream, from higher elevations, erosion of soft rock layers begins, leaving the harder rock layers behind. The soft layer erosion causes the water course to become steeper, extending beyond the hard rock layer. This creates faster erosion as gravity increases waterspeed. The watercourse steepens until it’s nearly vertical, creating what we know of as a magnificent waterfall!
Over time, the soft rock continues to be washed away, creating a steeper waterfall where the water comes into less and less contact with the waterfall cliff (the area behind the waterfall). In addition, the water plunge pool (what the water flows into) becomes deeper and the waterfall itself becomes taller. The undercutting (erosion on the wall of the waterfall cliff) continues to erode and the overhang eventually falls, causing the waterfall to retreat upstream. Below is a diagram from A Level Geography illustrating waterfall formation:
Now that you have a better understanding of what makes a waterfall, it’s time to venture out and apply your knowledge. We’ve researched 11 waterfalls near Cascade Outdoors and divided them into two categories: those northeast and those south to southwest of Ocoee, TN. In today’s blog, we’ll focus on the falls northeast of Cascade Outdoors.
Benton Falls
Location: Benton, Tennessee
Google Rating: 4.9/5
Description: The 65 foot tall falls can be seen on the Benton Falls Trail, a 3 mile round trip hike. There are even picnic tables nearby to allow for a perfect afternoon family hike and lunch at this waterfall near Ocoee, TN.
How to Get There: From Cascade Outdoors, take Highway 64 E/US-74 E toward River Bend Drive, turn left onto Oswald Road and head to the Chilhowee Recreation Area. Turn right into the Chilhowee Day-Use area. There is a $3/day use fee.
Click here for the Benton Falls website.
Gee Creek Trail Falls
Location: Delano, Tennessee
Google Rating: 4.7/5
Description: Take the Gee Creek Trail along the aforenamed creek where you’ll have to trek over large boulders before reaching these twin falls at the 0.75 to 0.9 mile mark. The entire trail is about 2.6 miles round trip. Due to the rocky nature of this trail, fellow hikers don’t recommend this trek for children or people with balance issues.
How to Get There: From Cascade Outdoors, head east on US-64 E/US-74 E toward US-411 N. Once on US 411, drive 8 miles then turn right onto Gee Creek Road. Follow Gee Creek Road over railroad tracks and stay right, continuing with Gee Creek Road as it turns back north/left and turns into Forest Road 2013. Travel for a total of 2.2 miles from US 411 to reach the signed trailhead, just before a left curve. Parking is free.
Click here for the Gee Creek Falls website.
Lowry Falls
Location: Delano, Tennessee
Google Rating: 4.5/5
Description: Waterfalls can be seen throughout as you hike the Lowry Falls Trail, an out and back trek near Reliance, Tennessee. The trail is described as steep, with a 216 feet elevation gain over 0.7 miles. At the end of the trail, if you cross the creek and take a left, you’ll encounter another beautiful waterfall.
How to Get There: Off US Highway 64 E/US-74 E, head east toward US-411 N. Once on US-411N, drive for 6 miles before turning right onto TN-30 E for 2.3 miles. The trailhead will be on the left side of the road. The trailhead is only a small pullover on the side of the road big enough for one vehicle and parking is limited.
Click here for the Lowry Falls website.
Yellow Creek Falls and Bullet Creek Falls
Location: near Reliance, Tennessee
Google Rating: 4.2/5
Description: These falls require a short, 0.5 mile, yet steep trek to access. After reaching the beautiful 15-foot tall Yellow Creek Falls, you can climb upwards the taller, 35-foot Bullet Creek Falls, or take the trail heading down from Yellow Creek Falls to a large swimming hole.
How to Get There: From Cascade Outdoors in Ocoee, TN, head east on US-64 E/US-74 E toward River Bend Drive and get on TN 315 N. Make a left turn onto Bullet Creek Road, staying on the road as it takes a left then right. About 0.9 miles past Maple Springs Road (on your left), the trailhead will be on your right. You’ll be driving on a dirt road for a few miles and the trailhead can be difficult to find, but it’s marked by a tree stump with a rock on top. The trip there usually takes 45 minutes to 1 hour from Cascade Outdoors.
Click here for the Yellow Creek Falls and Bullet Creek Falls website.
Conasauga Falls
Location: Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Google Rating: 4.5/5
Description: These falls can be accessed by the 1.5 mile round trip Conasauga Falls Trail. You’ll be hiking downhill the entire way to the falls and uphill on the way back. Most visitors recommend bringing a good pair of hiking shoes and water bottle, but the falls at the end are worth the trek.
How to Get There: About an hour from Cascade Outdoors, head east on US-64 E/US-74 E toward River Bend Drive, get on US-411 N, and drive 16 miles. Google directions will take you to the wrong trailhead because Conasauga Spur FS Road is missing from Google maps. When you are driving on Witt Road, do not continue as far as directed, but take a right on Conasauga Spur FS Road instead and drive until it dead ends. There you will find the trailhead.The trailhead can be difficult to access without four-wheel drive, especially after heavy rainfall.
Click here for the Conasuaga Falls website.
Bald River Falls
Location: Near Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Google Rating: 4.9/5
Description: Bald River Falls have been described as easy to access with a beautiful drive to get there. These 90 to 100 feet high falls are just off the road and even provide a wheelchair accessible view! There is a trail associated with this hike but it requires a couple of river crossings. You can even drive a short distance up the road to Baby Falls on the left hand side where the falls are smaller and there is also a restroom available.
How to Get There: The falls are about an hour away from Cascade Outdoors. Head east on US-64 E/US-74 E toward River Bend Drive and get on to US-411 N. Turn right onto Stage Hwy 310/Mecca Pike. Follow TN-39 E/Mecca Pike and TN-165 E/Cherohala Skyway to Monroe County for 17.2 miles then turn right toward Turkey Creek Rd/Whiteoak Flat Rd. Follow Turkey Creek Rd until you reach River Road and make a sharp left onto River Rd. The waterfall is visible from on the right hand side of the road and there is roadside parking available.
Click here for the Bald River Falls website.
Turtletown Creek Falls
Location: Farner, Tennessee
Google Rating: 4.9/5
Description: Turtletown Creek Falls is worth the hike. You can follow the stone stairs to the base of the falls for a different view, or hike downstream to see the lower falls before heading back. People have noted that the creek crossing on the way there may make it difficult for low vehicles to access. There is free parking for 5-6 cars.
How to Get There: A 45 minute drive from Cascade Outdoors, head east on US-64/US-74 E toward River Bend Drive. Take a left onto Industrial Drive, right onto Postelle Road, then left onto TN-68 S, and drive for 7 miles before turning left onto Farner Road. The trailhead will be on your left.
Click here for the Turtletown Creek Falls website.
These seven waterfalls northeast of Cascade Outdoors will surely make your trip to Tennessee more awe-inspiring, but don’t forget to check out our next blog on the five waterfalls located south to west of Ocoee, close to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Want to know more about Ocoee and the surrounding area? Check out our blog, History of the Ocoee River & The Area.