Right now
Right now as of Nov 4, 2026
- Permit None needed.
Status note (Nov 4, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell: on November 4, 2026 TNVacation said "The trail is open year-round and is open from dawn to dusk." The falls are on private land, so access is at the owners' discretion. What the status labels mean
Rutledge Falls is a waterfall on private land in Coffee County, Tennessee, near Tullahoma. TNVacation, the state tourism site, says it is free to the public and open dawn to dusk year-round. The trail is a short 0.2 mile, rated easy to moderate. You park across the road from Rutledge Falls Baptist Church. Leashed dogs are welcome, and TNVacation mentions a summer swimming hole.
About Rutledge Falls
Rutledge Falls sits on private property in Coffee County, and the landowners let the public visit. TNVacation, run by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, puts it plainly: "Rutledge Falls is free to the public, despite being located on private property."
That arrangement goes back a long way. State Naturalist Randy Hedgepath spoke to WKRN in 2020. He called it "a beautiful privately owned waterfall, where the landowners have graciously kept it open for people to enjoy for generations."
WKRN added that the owners keep the falls free and open, and that they ask visitors to help keep it clean in return.
There is no park office, ranger station or official website for the falls. We use TNVacation's guide, updated October 14, 2026, as the main source, along with the Coffee County Industrial Board.
We found no official height. Neither TNVacation nor the county board gives one, and hiking blogs disagree with each other, so we leave the number out.
TNVacation also notes a bit of film history: the falls were "famously featured in 'Hannah Montana: The Movie.'"
Private land: what that means for you
Your visit depends on the owners' goodwill. Stay on the trail, carry out everything you bring and follow any signs posted at the site.
If the owners ever limit or close access, their decision stands, even if an older guide says the falls are open. When in doubt, check TNVacation's page before you drive out.
Getting there and parking
Parking is "near the trail entrance across the road from Rutledge Falls Baptist Church," according to TNVacation. The Coffee County Industrial Board places the parking on Rutledge Falls Road in Tullahoma.
The county board says the falls are about 12 minutes from I-24. TNVacation lists the distance from downtown Nashville as 70.3 miles.
TNVacation places the falls in Manchester in one line and near Tullahoma in another. The county board uses Tullahoma, so that is the town we list.
We do not publish a street number. Online listings disagree, and neither official source gives one. Set your map to Rutledge Falls Baptist Church on Rutledge Falls Road instead.
No official parking capacity is published. Park only where parking is clearly allowed.
There is no fee. TNVacation says "There is no fee to hike to the falls, and the area is open to the public."
Machine Falls in Short Springs State Natural Area is also near Tullahoma, so the two pair well. Note that Short Springs has very limited parking. Other Tennessee falls on this site include Cummins Falls and Burgess Falls.
Map and nearby falls
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The walk to Rutledge Falls
TNVacation calls it "a short .2 mile hike" and rates it easy to moderate. It notes "a small elevation gain of 29 feet." It does not say whether 0.2 mile is one way or the round trip.
To reach the base, TNVacation says to "hike the small trail that branches to the left for a gradual hike down to the riverbed."
Dogs are welcome on a leash. TNVacation calls it "a dog-friendly hike near Nashville" but warns that "the terrain may be challenging for some pets."
TNVacation lists no accessibility details, and the route to the base heads down to the riverbed. Neither source lists restrooms or other facilities, so plan ahead.
When to visit
TNVacation says "The trail is open year-round and is open from dawn to dusk." Plan your visit for daylight and leave before dark.
Summer is swimming season. TNVacation's guide suggests you "Splash in the swimming hole in the summer."
TNVacation's October 2026 guide also lists Rutledge Falls among its fall hikes near Nashville.
We found no official statement on when the water flows best.
| Trail | 0.2 mile with 29 ft of gain (TNVacation); one way or round trip is not stated |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate (TNVacation) |
| Entry fee | Free. TNVacation: "There is no fee to hike to the falls, and the area is open to the public." |
| Permit / reservation | No permit; free entry to private land the owners keep open to the public |
| Parking | Across from Rutledge Falls Baptist Church |
| Hours / season | Dawn to dusk, year-round (TNVacation) |
| Dogs | Allowed on a leash; TNVacation says the terrain may be challenging for some pets |
| Swimming | TNVacation suggests the swimming hole in summer. No source mentions a lifeguard |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No accessibility details listed by TNVacation |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | None listed by TNVacation or the Coffee County Industrial Board |
| Best time to visit | No official best month; TNVacation mentions summer swimming and lists the falls among its fall hikes near Nashville |
| Crowds | No official crowd or parking-capacity figure |
| Managed by | Private landowners (visitor information from TNVacation) |
Safety and swimming
No agency staffs Rutledge Falls, and we found no official safety warnings for the site. No source mentions a lifeguard, so if you swim, you swim at your own risk.
TNVacation lists no lifeguard or posted safety rules. Wet rock is slick, so enter the water slowly and keep children within reach.
Watch your footing on the side trail down to the riverbed, especially with a dog. TNVacation warns the terrain may be challenging for some pets.
Leave the site by dusk, when TNVacation's listed hours end. The owners ask visitors to help keep the falls clean, so pack out your trash.
Our waterfall safety guide covers cold water and slick rock in more detail.
Conditions change: confirm with TNVacation before you go.
Where to stay near Rutledge Falls
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Photos
Rutledge Falls FAQ
Is Rutledge Falls free?
Yes. TNVacation says "There is no fee to hike to the falls, and the area is open to the public." The falls are on private land, and the owners keep them open.
Is Rutledge Falls on private property?
Yes. TNVacation says the falls are free to the public "despite being located on private property." A 2020 WKRN report says the owners ask visitors to help keep the site clean.
How far is Rutledge Falls from Nashville?
70.3 miles from downtown Nashville, according to TNVacation. The Coffee County Industrial Board says the falls are about 12 minutes from I-24.
How long is the hike to Rutledge Falls?
About 0.2 mile with 29 feet of elevation gain, rated easy to moderate by TNVacation. It does not say whether that is one way or round trip. A small side trail leads down to the riverbed at the base.
Can you swim at Rutledge Falls?
TNVacation's guide suggests the swimming hole in summer. No source mentions a lifeguard, so you swim at your own risk. Never jump from the ledges.
Are dogs allowed at Rutledge Falls?
Yes, on a leash. TNVacation calls it a dog-friendly hike but says the terrain may be challenging for some pets.
Is Rutledge Falls open today?
As far as we can tell, yes. TNVacation says the trail is open year-round from dawn to dusk. Because the falls are on private land, access is at the owners' discretion.
Where do you park for Rutledge Falls?
Across the road from Rutledge Falls Baptist Church, near the trail entrance, according to TNVacation. The Coffee County Industrial Board places it on Rutledge Falls Road in Tullahoma.
Nearby waterfalls
Machine Falls2 mi straight-lineOpen60FT PLUS
Fall Creek Falls47 mi straight-lineOpen256FT
Burgess Falls53 mi straight-linePartly open136FT
Ruby Falls53 mi straight-lineOpen
Cummins Falls66 mi straight-lineOpen75FT
DeSoto Falls68 mi straight-lineOpen104FT
City guides: Waterfalls near Chattanooga, TN
Sources
- TNVacation (Tennessee Department of Tourist Development): Fall Hikes near Nashville, Rutledge Falls (updated Oct 14, 2026; read Nov 4, 2026)
- Coffee County Industrial Board: In Our Backyard (read Nov 4, 2026)
- WKRN: Rutledge Falls draws steady stream of visitors (Sep 19, 2020; read Nov 4, 2026)
Last verified Nov 4, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Private landowners (visitor information from TNVacation) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.