About this spot
Dennis Cove Falls (Laurel Fork) is a documented swim-and-jump spot in Cherokee National Forest's Dennis Cove Recreation Area, reached by a roughly 2.2-mile, moderate hike from Hampton via Dennis Cove Road that includes three creek crossings on hiker cables. The 25-foot falls empties into a deep, non-shallow basin without a strong undertow, with a small ledge that hikers use to jump from the top of the cascade. Cable crossings can be slick and the water is cold and fast after rain, so check flow and footing before committing to a jump. It sits on public national forest land with no fee or permit, but it's remote with no facilities, so plan for a real backcountry hike, not a roadside stop.
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.