About this spot
Blue Hole Falls is a series of three to four cascades on Holston Mountain in Cherokee National Forest, northeast of Elizabethton via TN-91 and Panhandle Road; a short, steep half-mile loop trail with wooden steps reaches the falls, and parking is informal gravel pull-offs that fill up on summer weekends. The main pool, below the third tier, is the namesake blue hole — about 15 feet deep and 40 feet wide, deep enough for jumping from the surrounding rock. Rocks throughout are slippery and undercut in places, which is the main hazard; no lifeguards or facilities on site. Free access, no permit needed.
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.
Watch & read
- ▶ Watch — Waterfall Swimming in NE TN at Blue Hole Falls
- ♪ TikTok — Blue Hole Falls Elizabethtown | TikTok