Updated July 2026
Virgin Falls
A spectacular 110-foot plunge where an underground stream bursts from a cave, drops over a sculpted cliff, and disappears into another cave at the base. The strenuous backcountry route to it is roughly 9 miles round trip with about 1,000+ feet of descent.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Tennessee State Natural Areas for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Graded lakes within 25 miles
- FSwafford Pond · Bledsoe County · 18.3 mi
Where to stay near Virgin Falls, Tennessee
Top-rated places to stay near Virgin Falls, Tennessee
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Virgin Falls, Tennessee?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Virgin Falls, Tennessee — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Virgin Falls drops about 110 feet. That makes it the 174th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 74% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
The Virgin Falls Trail reaches it about 9 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 1,100 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous. The nearest town is Sparta. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Tennessee State Natural Areas for closures and current conditions.
winter/spring (after rain). Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More Tennessee waterfalls
- Abrams Falls · 20 ft
- Bald River Falls · 90 ft
- Benton Falls · 65 ft
- Big Falls (Old Stone Fort) · 30 ft
- Burgess Falls · 136 ft
- Cane Creek Falls · 85 ft
- Coker Creek Falls · 40 ft
- Conasauga Falls · 35 ft
Sources
- https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/na-natural-areas/natural-areas-middle-region/middle-region/na-na-virgin-falls.html
- https://tennessee.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,1,fid,1273482,n,virgin%20falls.cfm
- https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/virgin-falls-trail
- https://tenngreen.org/project/virgin-falls/
Get trip conditions by email
Lake grades, water temperature, and seasonal conditions as the data updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.