Recreation area

Falls Branch Falls Hike

Cherokee National Forest · Tennessee — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act by taking a day hike to Falls Branch Falls located in the Citico Creek Wilderness.  To help visitors plan their adventure and enjoy this featured day hike, Johnny Molloy, Outdoor Writer & Board Member of Partners of the Cherokee National Forest, has provided an excerpt from his book, Waterfall Hiking Tennessee, Falls Branch Falls Hike. The Falls Branch Trail #87 is a 1.3-mile trail (2.6-mile round trip) that leads to Falls Branch Falls, a 70-foot waterfall. Please note that this trail is located within congressionally designated Wilderness, a primitive area where trail signing and blazing are minimal. The majority of the trail follows an old roadbed, but it eventually leaves the roadbed and becomes narrow, steep, and rocky closer to the waterfall.

Getting there

From Tellico Plains take TN hwy 165 east approx. 18 miles until you reach the Rattlesnake Rock West pull-off which is the parking area for Falls Branch as well as Jeffery Hell trail #196.

Activities

  • HIKING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more Tennessee camping

Falls Branch Falls Hike doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Tennessee campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.