Theme trip · Day loop
Coffee and a full tank in Tellico Plains, then up the Tellico River to roadside falls and onto the Skyway.
Each fact comes from the official page linked on the card (ⓘ = source). Checked Oct 31, 2026 (ET).
1 · Coffee & fuel
Grab coffee, food and gas in town, then make the Skyway visitor center your first stop for free maps and current driving conditions. The Charles Hall Museum, which lists free admission, is at 229 Cherohala Skyway in town. ⓘ ⓘ
Check first: Visit Monroe: the visitor center keeps longer peak-season hours, and winter hours vary — call ahead.
Visit Monroe — Skyway info ↗2 · Roadside falls
A 90-foot waterfall right off Tellico River Road (FR 210): from Tellico Plains take TN 165 about 5 miles, bear right on FR 210 past the ranger station, and the falls are about 6 miles upstream on the right. ⓘ ⓘ
Check first: Forest Service: parking is limited and visitation is high on weekends and holidays; no potable water on site.
Official Forest Service page ↗3 · Short walk
A 15-foot drop on the Tellico River: from the Bald River Falls parking, continue about a third of a mile up FR 210 to a pull-off on the left; the falls are just downstream. ⓘ
Visit Monroe — Waterfalls ↗4 · Optional hike
Starts at the end of the Bald River Falls parking and runs upstream past Kahuna Falls, Bald River Cascades, Suislide, Shallow and Torino falls; moderately difficult and 5.6 miles one way, though the first few falls come early. ⓘ
Visit Monroe — Waterfalls ↗5 · Up the Skyway
The 43-mile National Scenic Byway climbs along the Tellico River to overlooks and high balds; Visit Monroe puts the crossing at about two hours, with some grades as steep as 9%. ⓘ ⓘ
Check first: Forest Service alert: camping is not permitted within 300 feet of the Cherohala Skyway.
Official Forest Service page ↗6 · Picnic or lake loop
About 17 miles up the Skyway: a 96-acre lake with a swim beach, small-boat launch, accessible fishing pier and a 3.6-mile hike-and-bike loop, plus 87-plus electric campsites. ⓘ
Check first: Forest Service: motorboats are restricted on Forest Service lakes, and the posted season dates are out of date — confirm on Recreation.gov before you go.
Official Forest Service page ↗Cabin, lake-house and hotel links for the same area, through our lodging partners. More bases on where to stay and the campgrounds hub.
Best for: lake + foothills
Hotels in Maryville and Alcoa, east of the lake.
See hotel bases we picked ↗Plan the rest: state & national parks · trails & byways · campgrounds · lakes · where to stay · before you go.
Checked Oct 31, 2026 (ET). We summarize in our own words and link out — closures, seasons and fees change, so re-check before you go.
Explore East Tennessee