One of the things I admire most about Tennessee is its incredible waterfalls. Hundreds of spectacular waterfalls are tucked inside this underrated state, just waiting to be explored. And I’ve found one that’s slipped under the radar – let me tell you all about the waterfalls along the Triple Falls Trail in Caryville, Tennessee.
Trust me, you won’t want to miss this epic hike on your next trip to East Tennessee!
Triple Falls (sometimes called Little Egypt Falls or Bruce Creek Falls) is a 120-foot tiered waterfall framed by towering rock walls. But believe it or not – that’s not the only amazing thing you’ll find on this trail! You’ll also discover other unnamed waterfalls and climb a summit that boasts 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. All in less than 2 miles roundtrip!
In this detailed guide, I’m going to share all about the Triple Falls Trail in Tennessee, including how to get there, when to go, where all of the waterfalls are (including unmapped ones!), and what to expect as you hike this waterfall/summit combo trail from start to finish.
Triple Falls Trail in TN: Waterfalls + Mountain Views!
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What Is the Triple Falls Trail?
The Triple Falls Trail, sometimes known as Little Egypt Falls Trail or Bruce Creek Falls Trail, is a 1.9-mile out & back trail featuring a creek, multiple waterfalls, and panoramic mountain and town views.
The first half of the trail is fairly flat and easy and contains all the waterfalls while the second half is steep and rocky as it zig-zags up a mountain.
How many short trails do you know that feature waterfalls and summit views?! I don’t know many! So this one is extra special.
Where Is the Triple Falls Trail?
The Triple Falls Trail is in Caryville, Tennessee, about 30 minutes northwest of Knoxville.
Note that there are many “Triple Falls” in the United States. There are Triple Falls in the states of North Carolina, Oregon, California, and New Hampshire, just to name a few.
To make sure that you get routed to the correct waterfall in Tennessee, type in Triple Falls Parking Lot in Google Maps. The correct destination has a Shelton Hollow Lane address. Get Google Maps directions here.
To get to Triple Falls from I-75, take exit 134, turn left onto Park Road (this will take you briefly through Cove Lake State Park), and then turn left onto Shelton Hollow Road. The trailhead is on the right in 0.2 miles.
Parking for the Triple Falls Trail is only available in pull-offs along the narrow Shelton Hollow Lane road; there is no official parking lot. Because the road is so narrow and deadends just beyond the trailhead, I wouldn’t recommend bringing oversized vehicles such as RVs, trailers, or buses. Turnarounds would be pretty difficult.
Hiking the Triple Falls Trail
After you park your vehicle on the side of Shelton Hollow Lane, look for the sign on the tree that says Little Egypt (pictured below). Head that way!
The first tenth of a mile is…interesting. There is an exorbitant amount of graffiti (please don’t do this – always, always leave nature wild) and evidence of illegal campfires. Just keep walking.
Just about a tenth of a mile from the trailhead, you’ll come to the first waterfall! It’s down in a gorge, so you’ll have to do some minor scrambling to get to it.
Past the first waterfall, continue walking along the creek. The rocky mountain towering behind the raging creek adds such an interesting, scenic element to the hike. And it just gets better and more scenic as you hike on!
Just 0.2 miles past the first unnamed waterfall, you’ll approach Triple Falls. It’s such a quick and easy journey to the falls – you won’t believe that you’re already there!
Get a front-row view of the falls if you can. Some scrambling is involved to get as close to the falls as we did, but it’s nothing crazy. And it’s worth it to feel the spray on your face and the noise in your ears.
Just watch your step; the currents are strong in this area, and the rocks are slippery from the spray.
If you’d like to keep going past Triple Falls (I highly recommend you do!), head up the path on the waterfall’s left side. It’s steep and narrow, and a fall would be deadly, so use caution and hug the inside of the mountain as much as possible.
Someone installed cables to assist with the extra dicey spots.
Once you surface above the falls and are once again on the same level as the creek, you’ll notice a bonus waterfall – or just the fourth tier of Triple Falls! I told you – the trail just keeps getting better and better!
From here, you have a couple of options:
- One, you can walk along the left side of the creek for about 400 feet until you reach the bridge.
- Two, you can climb up the steep, rocky path just past the cables (and fourth tier of Triple Falls) and take the higher path for about 400 feet until you get to the bridge.
Once you reach the bridge, instead of going across it, I encourage you to first continue straight along the left side of the creek. There’s a special bonus waterfall about a tenth of a mile past the bridge that is unnamed and unmapped. Simply follow the creek until you get to the tall waterfall. It’ll be on your left – it’s hard to miss!
My wife originally saw it between the trees as we were crossing the bridge, so, determined to find it, we turned around and walked alongside the creek until we reached the base of the “secret” falls.
Use caution in this area because this isn’t part of the official trail, so conditions are unmaintained and unpredictable. The ground near the bonus falls was particularly mushy and unstable.
Note that there were no signs saying to keep away from this area, or signs saying to only stay on the official path, so venturing to this bonus waterfall is okay!
Exploring the bonus waterfall was the highlight of the hike for us, particularly because we felt like we discovered something new. Even though I’m sure others have seen it and probably been near it before, it was exciting because we weren’t expecting it! We love a good surprise, unmapped waterfall.
Once you’re done exploring the bonus waterfall (Erica called it Double Shot Falls hehe), head back the way you came, along the creek. And this time, when you reach the bridge, cross it!
Here you’ll begin the steep, rocky switchbacks up the mountain. The remaining 0.4 miles of the trail will seem longer than 0.4 miles. And that’s because this is where the real elevation gain begins! It’s steep, rocky, muddy, slippery, and can be hard to follow at times.
I’d recommend downloading an offline map using AllTrails or GaiaGPS to make sure you stay on the trail.
As you get further and further from the creek, and higher and higher up the mountain, you’ll start hearing traffic noises. Look behind you and wave – you’ll see cars zooming by on I-75.
Once you reach the top of the mountain, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the mountains and a bird’s eye view of the surrounding towns. It’s truly remarkable! Definitely worth the trek!
The summit is fairly large, so even if there are others at the top with you, there is plenty of room for everyone to spread out. Just don’t be afraid to venture away from the spot where the trail dumps you off. Wander around and try to find the best viewpoint.
We spent a good amount on the top of the mountain, soaking up the views and getting different vantage points from different parts of the summit. It was so quiet up there that we could hear tractors humming in the valley below.
Once you’re done exploring the mountaintop, simply retrace your steps back down the mountain and along the creek to get back to the trailhead. The traffic noise will soon be replaced by rushing water as you get closer and closer to the creek.
Use caution, especially on the way down the mountain: the trail can get muddy and very slippery. Wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes with good traction.
When to Hike the Triple Falls Trail
The best time of year to hike the Triple Falls Trail is in the winter and spring when the creek is raging and the falls are roaring! This is a great time to avoid crowds, too.
The best time of day to hike the Triple Falls Trail is early in the morning before other people start to arrive. Because parking is limited, arriving early will give you a better chance of snagging a parking spot. Plus you’ll likely have the falls and views to yourself first thing in the morning!
Things to Know About the Triple Falls Trail
Triple Falls is sometimes called Little Egpyt Falls or Bruce Creek Falls. These three names are used interchangeably, so I don’t want you to be confused!
The waterfalls can be accessed from Cove Lake State Park, but the route is much longer. If you’re unable to snag a parking spot on Shelton Hollow Lane (which provides the quickest route to the falls), you still can park at Cove Lake State Park at the Cove Creek Trailhead and hike to the Triple Falls Trailhead. It would just add about 2.5 miles (one way) to your route from trailhead to trailhead.
Triple Falls FAQ
How Tall Is Triple Falls in Tennessee?
About 120 feet!
Are There Other Waterfalls on the Triple Falls Trail?
Yes! Aside from Triple Falls, there is a decent-sized one about a tenth of a mile from the trailhead, a “fourth tier” of Triple Falls near the cables, a secret, unmapped one just past the bridge, and lots of smaller cascades along Bruce Creek.
Does the Triple Falls Trail Get Crowded?
While this trail tends to slide under tourist’s radars, locals know about this spot. So it can get crowded, especially during the warmer months. Also, parking is very limited, so it’s important to arrive at the trailhead early to make sure you can snag a spot.
Where to Stay Near Triple Falls
Cove Lake State Park Campground
Cove Lake State Park neighbors the Triple Falls Trail, so this would be a convenient spot to stay! The Cove Lake Campground has 100 campsites for tents and RVs, each equipped with water and electrical hookups, and most with grills and tables. Other amenities include a dump station, two modern bathhouses with hot showers and heat, restrooms, firewood sales, and a seasonal camp store.
IMPORTANT: Cove Lake Campground will be completely closed for a campground renovation through Fall 2025.
Knoxville, Tennessee
If you’d prefer to stay in a hotel or a unique stay near the trail, I’d recommend Knoxville! Use the interactive map below to see real-time availability and prices.
Leave No Trace
As always, respect the landscape by packing your trash out. NEVER litter. Please keep nature wild!
Always follow these 7 Leave No Trace Principles:
- Plan Ahead & Prepare
- Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
Read more about Leave No Trace and how you can do your part to protect these natural spaces here.
Things to Do Near Triple Falls
Lucky for you, this part of Tennessee is filled with outdoorsy recreation areas! Here are some fun things to do near Triple Falls.
Frozen Head State Park
Frozen Head is an extremely underrated state park in Tennessee. This park is home to spectacular waterfalls, amazing hiking trails, children’s play areas, a picnic area, campgrounds, beginner-friendly backcountry campsites, and even an iconic fire tower with unbeatable views.
My favorite hike in Frozen Head is the Panther Branch and Emory Gap route – it passes two waterfalls in less than 1.5 miles! Read all about the Frozen Head waterfalls hike in my full guide here.
Ijams Nature Center
Ijams Nature Center is an outdoor adventure paradise tucked into eastern Knoxville!
Here you can hike, bike, swim, paddle, zipline, and climb. There are 12 miles of pet-friendly hiking trails, mountain and road biking trails, a boat launch and rentals, a children’s play area, a treetop adventure park, and an outdoor exercise space. It’s also home to the only outdoor rock climbing area in Knoxville!
There’s definitely no shortage of adventure opportunities here at Ijams!
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
- Stinging Fork Falls
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Rock Island State Park
- Burgess Falls State Park
- The Lost Sea
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Wonderful, helpful post. Many thanks!
Amazing! So glad it was helpful!
Glad I found your page. It was very informative.
One suggestion: I would mention that the mountaintop view is called the Devil’s Racetrack Overlook.
This is great to know! Thank you!