About this spot
Tellico Falls is a two-tiered waterfall on the Upper Tellico River in the Tusquitee Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest near Murphy. The roughly 3.2-mile round-trip hike requires wading the river directly in front of the falls, which is impassable at high water; the bushwhack alternative is described as extremely difficult. Rocks are slippery. No cliff-jumping or established swimming-hole culture is documented, though the required river crossing puts hikers in the water.
Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.