Name: Turtletown Creek Falls Loop
Rating: 5

Hikes Map Explore

Turtletown Creek Falls Loop Cherokee National Forest, TN

LENGTH 3.8 MILES

DIFFICULTY 5.6 Easy
Medium

DURATION 2-3 hours

ELEVATION GAIN

780

feet

TRAIL TYPE

Lollipop
Loop

Turtletown Creek Falls Loop

Explore two waterfalls along a scenic creek on the Turtletown Creek Falls trail. Located in the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, this is a must hike for any skill level. Bring the dog and the camera, because this is one of the best waterfall hikes in the southeast. For a shorter hike you can make this and in-and-out to the upper falls only.

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 lollipop of this loop trail. For this description, stay to the left along the creek but you can head up to the right to save the upper falls for near the end of the hike. Staying 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.

Head back to the previous intersection and continue along the creek, hiking up a short but steep section. From here you'll descend until 1.8 miles where the trail splits again. To the left is a tenth of a mile side trail to the lower TurtleTown Creek Falls. From a rocky vantage point you'll have a perfect view of this equally powerful falls.

From here, retract your steps back to the loop and continue along the most difficult section, climbing a couple good hills before leveling out at about 2.7 miles. Returning to the first intersection, finish out this hike by trekking back along this scenic creek to the trailhead.

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

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

Turtletown Creek Falls Loop.
White blazes mark the way.

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

Turtletown Creek Falls Loop.
First intersection that begins the loop. This page describes heading left to hike down to the upper falls first.

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

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

Turtletown Creek Falls Loop.
Up some steps on a steep, but short, section of the trail.

Turtletown Creek Falls Loop.
The lower falls are just as powerful as the upper.

Turtletown Creek Falls Loop.
Climbing a hill to finish out this loop.

Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)

Slope Breakdown

Elevation Gain

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Gain

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

0.9 mi

92 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.6 mi

209 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.3 mi

198 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

0.2 mi

145 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

0.1 mi

177 ft

Elevation Loss

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Loss

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

0.5 mi

79 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.7 mi

232 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.2 mi

112 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

0.1 mi

134 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

0.2 mi

251 ft

Terrain Map Click to control map

Navigation

Details

length3.8 miles

difficulty5.6 Easy-Medium

duration2 - 3 hours

features Dog Friendly River/Stream Waterfall

trail typeLollipop Loop

blazeWhite

elevation gain780 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

2.2 mi

2.6

Panther Top Lookout Tower

Similar Hikes

Pine Mountain Trail Cascade Falls

3.8 mi

5.5

Lower Whitewater Falls

4.3 mi

6.5

Becky Branch & Martin Creek Falls

4.1 mi

5.1

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch Trail

4.2 mi

5.4

Edwards Point via the Rainbow Lake Trail

4 mi

6.5

Reviews / Comments

Average Review Rating

5 (1)

New Review New Comment

hikethesouth-5 years ago

Great Day Hike

This is one of my favorite waterfall hikes in the southeast. The beautiful double upper falls are one of the most scenic you'll find, in my opinion. And the lower falls are just as powerful. With cooler weather and no leaves on the tress, you'll get views of the Turtletown Creek for a solid half of this hike.

Easy-Medium | Hiked Fall 2018

New Comment

Username 6-20, Alphanumeric

Email will only be used to send a verification link for first time use with this username and to authenticate the username for further reviews/comments.

Comments Characters Remaining: 2000

Submit

New Review

Username

Email will only be used to send a verification link for first time use with this username and to authenticate the username for further reviews/comments.

Rating

Difficulty

Last Hiked

Review Title

Review Characters Remaining: 2000

Submit

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.