Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
600.00 ft (182.88 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
3.00 mi (4.83 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Margarette Falls is located in Greeneville, Tennessee, in the beautiful and lush Cherokee National Forest. Named after Margaret Doak, Margarette Falls is a 60-foot fan-shaped waterfall, making it one of the most unique falls in the state of Tennessee.

As you make your way up the trail, try to imagine the yesteryears of the area, a once-booming logging community. The area once contained multiple buildings that made up the logging camp and a railroad that carried logs down to the nearby city of Greeneville.

The first half-mile of the trail will take you on an easy stroll down a closed service road. However, once leaving the road, the trail difficulty increases and includes multiple water crossings. The hike is only 3 miles round trip and is filled with spots to explore or cool off in the mountain stream. You'll find yourself surrounded by impressive geological features, wildflowers during warmer months, and possibly wildlife. In the fall, the trail fills with bursts of color. In winter, the snow and frozen waterfall transform the area into a wonderland.

The hike to Margarette Falls is the perfect adventure for hikers and trail runners year round. It's the perfect spot for a quick local getaway with your dog or a day trip with family and friends. Regardless of when you visit, take time to truly enjoy the area. Relax by the stream, dip your feet in, have a picnic by the waterfall, and enjoy your time there. Explore the nooks and crannies, because one of Tennessee's most breathtakingly captivating treasures is hidden in a corner of the forest. If you make friends with a local, they might just take you for a tour of it!

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Wildflowers. Waterfalls. Pools to stay cool. History.

Cons

None.

Trailhead Elevation

1,900.00 ft (579.12 m)

Features

Waterfalls
Wildflowers

Location

Nearby Adventures

Smoky Mountains, North Carolina
Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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