# Cumberland Plateau waterfalls

> 4-day road trip of about 268 km (166 mi) with 8 stops, from Cookeville to Chattanooga. About 2 h 58 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b9-cumberland-plateau/

**At a glance:** 4-day road trip of about 268 km (166 mi) with 8 stops, from Cookeville to Chattanooga. About 2 h 58 min of driving in total. Five state parks with waterfalls and gorges along the edge of Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, from Cookeville to Chattanooga.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 268 km (166 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 58 min |
| Suggested days | 4 |
| Stops | 8 |
| Route | Cookeville → Chattanooga |
| States | TN |
| Updated | May 11, 2026 |

## Route description

Start in Cookeville, just off I-40 between Nashville and Knoxville. North of town, Cummins Falls is a wide 75-foot cascade with a swimming hole at its base; getting to it means wading up the gorge, which requires a permit booked in advance and closes when the water is high.

South of Cookeville, Burgess Falls State Park has a string of waterfalls on the Falling Water River and a short trail to the overlook. Continue to Rock Island State Park, where the Caney Fork pours through a gorge below a dam; warning horns mean the water is about to rise.

TN-111 and TN-30 lead to Fall Creek Falls State Park, the largest in Tennessee, with a 256-foot waterfall, a scenic loop drive, overlooks and a large campground. Then drive south along the plateau to Sewanee, a college town with forest trails and bluff views.

Finish at Foster Falls in South Cumberland State Park before descending to Chattanooga on I-24. Spring brings the fullest waterfalls; in late summer some falls drop to a trickle, while October adds fall color.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Cookeville** (TN)
2. **Cummins Falls State Park** (Cookeville, TN): A wide, stepped 75-foot waterfall with a swimming hole, reached by wading up the river gorge. Gorge access needs a permit bought in advance and closes when water is high.
3. **Burgess Falls State Park** (Sparta, TN): A series of waterfalls on the Falling Water River, ending with a big drop into a gorge. A short trail leads to an overlook of the main falls.
4. **Rock Island State Park** (Rock Island, TN): The Caney Fork gorge with Twin Falls pouring from the rock wall below a dam. Water levels change quickly with dam releases, so obey the warning horns.
5. **Fall Creek Falls State Park** (Spencer, TN): Tennessee’s largest state park, whose namesake falls drop 256 feet into a wooded gorge. A scenic drive links several overlooks; the trail to the base is steep.
6. **Sewanee** (TN)
7. **Foster Falls** (Sequatchie, TN): A 60-foot waterfall in a sandstone amphitheater, part of South Cumberland State Park and popular with climbers. A short trail leads to the overlook.
8. **Chattanooga** (TN)

## FAQs

**How long is Cumberland Plateau waterfalls?**
4-day road trip of about 268 km (166 mi) with 8 stops, from Cookeville to Chattanooga. About 2 h 58 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Cumberland Plateau waterfalls?**
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 58 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Cumberland Plateau waterfalls start and end?**
It starts in Cookeville and ends in Chattanooga.

**Which states does Cumberland Plateau waterfalls pass through?**
Tennessee.