5 Inspiring Waterfalls in Middle Tennessee
I prefer to paint landscapes from my own reference photos. This means, if I want to paint a place, I’ve got to experience it for myself. No complaints here! New series ideas just give me an excuse to explore new landscapes. I’ve been wanting to paint more waterfalls, and my husband and I have been wanting to explore the waterfalls in middle Tennessee for years now, so we mapped out a short weeklong road trip for our next “ArtVenture.”
With camera in hand, we chased down a few of the most magical waterfalls middle Tennessee has to offer. So if you’re headed to the middle of the Volunteer State or simply looking for beautiful inspiration, like us, follow these waterfalls to paradise.
Ozone Falls
Ozone Falls is one elegant line of a waterfall that drops into a pool of emerald water. Take in a beautiful overlook from the top of the falls and peer over the edge of the falls if you dare, but be careful: the top is slippery and sandy. Peering over the falls, you’d hardly know you were at the edge of a 110 foot drop! Once you’ve braved the top, hike down the steep trail to the base of the falls, where only a vertical panorama picture can take in the full image of the sheer falls.
Falls Creek Falls
Catch a gorgeous panoramic view of Falls Creek Falls from the top of the gorge before hiking down to the base. Get a sense of the scale of these two parallel waterfalls from the bottom and see what qualifies them as the tallest sheer drop falls east of the Mississippi. In the morning, the sun peeks slowly over the top of the falls, illuminating it in sparkling sunshine before cascading down 256 feet into an icy cold pool. The water’s cold mist is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day. Within the same state park, you’ll find two other gorgeous waterfalls, Piney Creek Falls and Cane Creek Falls, and a swinging bridge to complete your epic trip.
Twin Falls
Although it’s called Twin Falls, this place feels more like the land of a 100 falls. Standing at the base of these falls, you’ll find seemingly endless views of cascading falls, lush vegetation, and sparkling turquoise water. Spend the afternoon in this paradise, taking in the views, picnicking on the stones below, and watching the kayakers take turns surfing through the waterfalls’ rapids.
Burgess Falls
Burgess Falls State Park hosts beautiful views of the waterfall from the top, but the true majesty of these falls can only be experienced from the base, which is only accessible through the river below. Start your journey about 1.75 miles downstream of the waterfalls at a kayak put-in spot along the river. Kayak - or in our case, paddle board - up the river until you hear the thunderous boom of the falls. From there, peer around the river bend and prepare for your jaw to drop as Burgess Falls comes into view like something out of a movie. While a journey upstream sounds like a lot of effort, paddling up the flooded river feels more like paddling through a still lake. Although it may still be more effort than a simple hike, this cinematic moment is worth every stroke of the paddle. Once you reach the base of the falls, a peninsula of rocks and greenery awaits you where you can picnic, take in the falls, and kayak around the base.
Cummins Falls
Although Cummins Falls doesn’t have the sheer drop or magnitude of some of the others, it was our favorite waterfalls of the trip. Pictures do not do the wonder of this place justice. Within this natural playground, you can swim around the large, deep pool of jewel-toned water at the base, jump off the mini cascading falls, climb over the tiers of trickling falls, stand under the lines of falling water, and stand in wonder up at the largest falls. If heaven doesn’t look like Cummins Falls, I don’t want it.
While the waterfalls in my home state of North Carolina are still some of my favorite spots in the world, chasing down the beautiful waterfalls in middle Tennessee has been an unforgettable experience. Their magnificence and grandeur has certainly guaranteed a return trip and a plethora of reference photos to paint from. I hope you feel just as inspired as I do. Stay tuned for new series updates based off of this latest ArtVenture!