Snow Falls 12
Rhea County, Tennessee
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Rhea County, Tennessee
- Access status
- State natural area trail route documented; long hike with a creek ford
- The walk
- 4.8 miles one way to the end of the Snow Falls spur, per the Cumberland Trail Conservancy
- Ground & access
- Long climb on the spur trail. Morgan Creek ford is wide but usually shallow; use caution in high water and with ice in winter. The way to the base is a scramble.
Snow Falls is a 35-foot waterfall on Morgan Creek in Laurel-Snow State Natural Area near Dayton. Follow the Cumberland Trail from the parking lot along Richland Creek, take the left fork toward Snow Falls at mile 1.7, and cross the 150-foot cable-rail bridge over Henderson Creek at mile 2.1. Continue on the Snow Falls spur trail, which climbs a long ridge, reaches a junction at the top of the ridge, and later fords Morgan Creek just before the falls. The trail spreads into several paths that all lead toward the falls. The view from above is limited; a scramble leads to the base. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
Laurel-Snow State Natural Area parking at the end of Richland Creek Road, Cumberland Trail to the 150-foot bridge over Henderson Creek, then the Snow Falls spur trail to the falls
The Cumberland Trail Conservancy gives 4.8 miles one way from the trailhead to the end of the Snow Falls spur trail, which ends at the falls.
Long climb on the spur trail. Morgan Creek ford is wide but usually shallow; use caution in high water and with ice in winter. The way to the base is a scramble.
Where to start
Parking area at the end of Richland Creek Road. From US 27 north of Dayton, take Walnut Grove Road about 0.7 mile, turn left on Back Valley Road for 0.7 mile, then turn right on the gravel Richland Creek Road for about 1 mile.
Timing & water
Gates are open 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned. Overnight camping requires registration through Cumberland Trail State Park.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- North Pole Falls 17Rhea County, TN0.5 miS
Laurel Falls 80State natural area trail route documentedRhea County, TN0.8 miE- Morphy Falls 12Rhea County, TN1.4 miSW
- Paine Creek Falls 10Rhea County, TN1.6 miSE
- Sale Creek Falls 40Rhea County, TN2.0 miSW
- Brush Creek Falls 20Rhea County, TN5.5 miSW
- Wildcat Hollow FallsRhea County, TN6.7 miSW
- McGill Creek FallsGuide: Cumberland Trail in-and-out hike to the fallsHamilton County, TN9.0 miSW
- Legget Branch Falls 30Guide: Cumberland Trail hike to a stream crossing with cascadesHamilton County, TN11 miSW