Baby Falls on Tellico River - Cherokee National Forest

Early April 2019 found us in the Tellico Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest. We had planned to stop at Bald River Falls, but the parking lot was full so we drove one-third mile to the Baby Falls day-use area. 

To reach Baby Falls from the Tellico Plains, Tennessee, Visitor Center, drive about five miles east on the Cherohala Skyway (TN-165) then turn right on paved River Road (National Forest System Road 210). Drive about 6½ miles to a paved parking lot on the left. The day-use area is squeezed into the area between a sharp bend in the Tellico River and the road. Parking is provided for about a dozen vehicles. In addition, there are a few picnic tables and a vault toilet. There is no water at this site.

Baby Falls is located downstream from the day-use area and can be viewed by walking along the edge of the road on a gravel path. The waterfall spans the width of the river and is about 15 feet high.

Tellico River from the day-use area

Another view from the day-use area

A third view

Approaching the brink of the falls

Baby Falls

A wider view

Looking over the brink

View upstream

There is no entry fee at Cherokee National Forest.

The Cherokee National Forest website is https://www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee.