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.
A late July 2013 thunderstorm interrupted my hiking plans, so I decided to head to the Cherohala Skyway for some roadside views of Bald River Falls, Baby Falls on the Tellico River and the vista from Turkey Creek overlook. The Skyway begins in Tellico Plains, Tennessee and continues to Santeetlah Gap near Robbinsville, North Carolina. About five miles from the beginning of the Skyway at TN 68, a well-signed junction with US Forest Service road 210, also known as River Road, leads to both waterfalls in an additional seven miles. FS 210 is a well maintained two-lane paved road without shoulders or guardrails in most places. Continuing up the Skyway a total of 16 miles leads to the Turkey Creek overlook.
Bald River Falls
By volume of water, Bald River Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in East Tennessee. Just upstream of its confluence with the Tellico River, the Bald River drops about 90 feet in a series of vertical drops and slides. All of the pictures below were taken from the FS 210 bridge over the Bald River.
Closeup view of the falls
View from the middle of the bridge
View of the lower slide
Baby Falls
Continue about ¼ mileon FS 210 beyond the Bald River bridge to a parking area on the left. Baby Falls on the Tellico RIver is accessible by following a roadside path downstream a few dozen yards. The parking area also includes a set of vault toilets, but no running water or formal picnic area. The Tellico River drops about 15 feet over the falls. While the plunge pool looks like an inviting swimming hole, it has proven deadly in the past. Please use extreme caution if you plan to wade or swim in the river.
View from the parking area
Another view from the parking area
Above the brink of the falls
Side view
Downstream view from the path
Another downstream view
Tellico River downstream of the falls
Turkey Creek Overlook
The Turkey Creek overlook has a large parking area with picnic tables and vault toilets. At an elevation of approximately 2560 feet or more than one thousand feet above the valley hilltops, this is a favorite location for viewing sunsets along the Skyway.
