Name: Turtletown Creek Falls
Rating: 5

Hikes Map Explore

Turtletown Creek Falls Cherokee National Forest, TN

LENGTH 2.2 MILES

DIFFICULTY 2.6 Easy

DURATION 1 hour

ELEVATION GAIN

360

feet

TRAIL TYPE

There And
Back Again

Turtletown Creek Falls

Travel alongside a scenic creek on this easy hike to an impressive double waterfall. Turtletown Creek Falls is located in the Cherokee National Forest in southeast Tennessee and is a great hike for any skill level. However, if you're up for a little more length, difficulty, and another waterfall, check out Turtletown Creek Falls Loop. Either way, this hike is worth the drive.

Park at the end of the dirt/gravel road off of Farner Road. Parking is around a deep mud pit, so don't get stuck. You also have to make a small creek crossing just before the end. If you're not comfortable with this in a low ground clearance vehicle, just park along the road before it. The trail is right around the corner.

On the left side of the trailhead is a short side trail to the creek with a nice view of some cascades. The main trail begins on the right behind the metal gate. This is a hike I recommend for late fall to early spring as without the leaves on the trees, you'll be within ear and eye shot of the creek the entire way to the falls and get views of the falls from far above before descending to their base.

At 3/4 of a mile in, the trail splits to form the longer loop trail. For this hike, stay to the left along the creek. Soon you'll hear the falls below you. Hike down some steep switchbacks to another intersection. Turn left for the falls. Right continues the loop.

Arrive at Turtletown Creek Falls at just under 1.1 miles in. This powerful double waterfall may not be one of the tallest, but is one of the most beautiful you'll find in the southeast. With such a short easy hike, this should be on everyone's to-hike list. To finish, head back out the way you came.

Turtletown Creek Falls.
Small creek crossing just before the parking area. If you don't want to cross it, just park alongside the road before it.

Turtletown Creek Falls.
A side trail to the right of the parking area leads to a nice view of the creek.

Turtletown Creek Falls.
Parking at the end of the road. Watch for the mud pit in the middle.

Turtletown Creek Falls.
Start this hike by going around the metal gate at the trailhead.

Turtletown Creek Falls.
White blazes mark the way.

Turtletown Creek Falls.
Most of this trail stays close to the creek.

Turtletown Creek Falls.
For this hike, stay to the left to head straight to the upper falls.

Turtletown Creek Falls.
The path narrows along the steep hillside.

Turtletown Creek Falls.
A few steep switchbacks take you down to the base of the falls.

Turtletown Creek Falls.
The upper falls are one of the most impressive in the southeast.

Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)

Slope Breakdown

Elevation Gain

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Gain

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

0.5 mi

49 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.4 mi

155 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

411 ft

47 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

297 ft

50 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

423 ft

97 ft

For out-and-back hikes, elevation loss is the same as the gain.

Terrain Map Click to control map

Details

length2.2 miles

difficulty2.6 Easy

duration1 hour

features Dog Friendly River/Stream Waterfall

trail typeThere And Back Again

blazeWhite

elevation gain360 ft.

state Tennessee

park/forestCherokee National Forest

ranger districtOcoee Ranger District
3171 Highway 64
Benton, TN 37307
423-338-3300

parking feeNone

trailhead coordinates 35.152263, -84.326508 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 35°9.14, W 84°19.59 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 35°9'08'', N 35°9'08'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)

Trailhead Directions

N 35°9.14, W 84°19.59

Google Map It

These coordinates are for Farner Road since Google routes incorrectly. The trailhead is at the end of a 1.2 mile dirt/gravel road. There are signs for the trail on Farner Road from both directions. At the end of the road there is a small creek crossing with concrete strips to cross over. If you don't feel comfortable crossing in a low ground clearance vehicle, just park along the road before it. The trailhead is right around the corner.

Parking Capacity

5-6 vehicles at the trailhead, 5-6 more along the road before the creek crossing.

Notes

Numerous creek and muddy crossings. Most are easy but a couple are a little challenging to stay out of the mud.

A few sections with steep drop offs.

Nearby Hikes

Turtletown Creek Falls Loop

3.8 mi

5.6

Panther Top Lookout Tower

2.3 mi

Similar Hikes

Reviews / Comments

Average Review Rating

5 (1)

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hikethesouth-5 years ago

Beautiful Waterfall on an Easy Hike

For such an easy hike, this is definitely one of the best waterfalls you'll find. The beautiful double falls in one of the most scenic in the southeast. Check out the loop option for another waterfall and a longer hike.

Easy | Hiked Fall 2018

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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

Disclaimer Disclaimer: Falling off a cliff, drowning in a river, or being eaten by a bear is still a better way to go than dying of a heart attack while sitting in traffic on the way to the office.