A roughly 60-foot waterfall in Short Springs State Natural Area near Tullahoma, reached via a short loop that descends into a fern-lined gorge. It is one of several falls in the natural area at the base of Normandy Lake.
At 60 ft, it stands above roughly 48% of the 775 documented falls in this guide.
Machine Falls sits on Machine Falls Branch. You'll find it in Coffee, Tennessee. It is protected within Tennessee State Parks / Short Springs State Natural Area.
This is a moderate hike waterfall: a longer day hike, roughly one to several miles each way. Plan for a moderate hike; sturdy shoes, water, and a little time on the trail are worth bringing. The walk to the main viewpoint runs about 1.6 miles round trip. Base a visit out of Tullahoma, the closest town.
When to go: winter-spring. Like most waterfalls, Machine Falls runs highest after snowmelt or heavy rain and can thin out in late summer, so it's worth checking recent streamflow and the land manager's conditions page before a long drive.
