Waterfall Hero Hikes: Gentry Creek Falls (Cherokee)

Gentry Creek Falls is an 60-foot waterfall in two sections on Gentry Creek in Johnson County, Tennessee. The waterfall is located near the Rogers Ridge Scenic Area in Cherokee National Forest.

Hike Length: 4.4 miles
Estimated Time: 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Rogers Ridge Scenic Area (Watauga Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery. There are around 13 crossings of Gentry Creek on the hike, which will require wading in high water.
Trailhead GPS: 36.54220,-81.72467
Waterfall GPS: 36.56778,-81.70498

Directions:

From Mountain City, head north on TN-91 for 6.6 miles and turn right onto Gentry Creek Road. In 0.8 miles, turn right to stay on Gentry Creek Road and then bear left. Drive another mile to bear right and enter the national forest on FR-123/Gentry Creek Road. Drive 1.1 miles down this narrow gravel road to parking at the end.

Map:

Hike Description:

The blue-blazed Gentry Creek Falls Trail (#51) picks up past the parking lot and follows Gentry Creek upstream. In about a half-mile, come to the first of many creek crossings.

In high water, it will be a wade but can be rock-hopped in lower water levels. After this point, there are another twelve crossings as the trail alternates between banks of the creek. There are some nice cascades along the creek.