Facility · Tennessee ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Brushy Ridge Roadless Area (Roadlessarea Rule (2001)) · Open Access
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.
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.
35.34715, -84.06016 · 35°20'49.7"N 84°3'36.6"W
Typically 86°F in Jul, down to 48°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 48 | 52 | 60 | 70 | 77 | 83 | 86 | 85 | 79 | 70 | 59 | 50 |
| Low °F | 28 | 31 | 37 | 44 | 52 | 59 | 62 | 61 | 57 | 46 | 36 | 31 |
| Precip in | 5.4 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 4.1 | 3.6 | 2.9 | 4.2 | 5.5 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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