A roadside 90-foot waterfall in Cherokee National Forest with a simple viewpoint requiring minimal walking.
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Based on this listing's approximate location — see the note on coordinates below.
Bald River Falls stands 90 feet tall and is accessed via Forest Road 210 off TN-165 near Tellico Plains. The waterfall can be viewed from a simple roadside viewpoint with minimal effort, making it an ideal quick stop for travelers passing through the Cherokee National Forest. Flow varies seasonally and is most robust in spring during snowmelt and after heavy rain.
There is no day-use fee or hiking trail required. The site has been open recently with high visitor numbers reported, making it a popular and accessible destination for waterfall viewing in the forest.
Year-round; flows best in spring with mountain snowmelt and after significant rain.
Under 30 minutes
No fee or permit requirement was published on the managing agency's site when we last checked — confirm current conditions before you go, since these change.
It's viewable without a hike, from a pullout or short walk near the parking area.
We track 4 waterfalls in Cherokee National Forest, 1 of which are roadside like this one.
fs.usda.gov
USFS Cherokee National Forest recreation page, checked Sept 2026; page states site is 'now open with high visitation,' no closure listed. Height (90 ft) and directions (FR 210 off TN-165 from Tellico Plains) per official page; no trail-length or fee data given.
Checked September 2026.