For those exploring some of the many beautiful Tennessee State Parks, the main falls area at Burgess Falls offers a spectacular sight as the 136-foot-tall waterfall on the Falling Water River plunges into the gorge below.
Striking, gigantic rocky cliff walls encircle the basin, where kayakers and swimmers enjoy the pool of water below as onlookers observe from on top of the ridge.
A trail leads from the Burgess Falls parking area to atop the falls, about a half-mile walk each way. From the top of the falls, visitors can peek over the edge of rocks as the water plummets far below.
At one time, a staircase descended from the top of the falls into the gorge area. However, state park authorities have removed this and put up a gate, so currently there is no upper-level access to the area below the falls.
The people in the water put in their kayaks and boats farther downstream the Falling Water River—which empties into Center Hill Lake—and traveled upstream, against only a gentle current, to the base of Burgess Falls for a day of recreation in the sun. Even a larger pontoon boat has more than enough space to maneuver and anchor in the pool below the falls.
Burgess Falls, located in White County, approximately 10 miles south of downtown Cookeville, is really a series of four waterfalls, with the final 136-foot-feature being the most drastic drop. View all four areas on the half-mile hike.
This begins just steps away from the park’s parking lot, also near a playground and picnic pavilion, with a cascades area that sees the Falling Water River descend 20 feet over a very broad area, dropping one or two feet at a time over steps of rocks. These cascades make a fun place to wade in the river, as long as the water isn’t moving too rapidly during a visit.
Continuing down the River Trail, the hiker soon comes to the 30-foot upper falls. Remnants of a suspension bridge still remain. This bridge once held a flume (water pipe) that carried water from the dam near the park entrance to a powerhouse, situated downstream from the lower falls.
This dam, built in 1928, generated electricity for the area in times predating the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The hiking trail continues to the 80-foot middle falls, which make a lovely sight but are not as impressive as the crown jewel: the larger, lower falls.
On the journey back, many hikers opt to take the Ridge Top Trail, a wide gravel road which follows a similar course to the River Trail but is a little farther up the hillside with higher, scenic views of Tennessee’s Falling Water River.
In addition to the park’s namesake falls, Burgess Falls State Park also contains a small butterfly garden near the park entrance and dam. The park hosts an annual Butterfly Celebration each summer (well, during the years that do not have a pandemic going on).
Burgess Falls State Park also manages the nearby Window Cliffs State Natural Area. Although the two areas sit just on opposite sides of the Falling Water River, no trails connect the two parks directly. Though a short drive from Burgess Falls to Window Cliffs gives explorers the option of an additional 5.4-mile roundtrip hike through a Tennessee forest.
Hikers have reported that this hike, while it offers some beautiful scenery of the prominent cliffs and ridges along the path of Cane Creek, is fairly difficult, with 18 creek crossings.
Find more on Burgess Falls and other Tennessee State Parks at tnstateparks.com.
Burgess Falls State Park
4000 Burgess Falls Dr.
Sparta, Tennessee
Open 8 a.m. until 30 minutes before sunset
931-432-5312
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