Burgess Falls State Park

The land takes its name from the Burgess family, early settlers who received the ground for military service and farmed and milled along the Falling Water River. In the early twentieth century the river's power was harnessed for a small hydroelectric operation that helped light the growing town of Cookeville, and remnants of that industrial past can still be traced along the water.

A flood in the 1920s damaged the power works, and over time the state acquired the scenic river corridor and set it aside as a park. Managed today for its waterfalls and wooded gorge, Burgess Falls has become one of the most beloved short hikes in the region, drawing waterfall seekers from across Tennessee.

The trail is really a tour of the river's descent. First comes the small Upper Falls, then the Middle Falls, a wider curtain over a rock shelf, followed by the Little Falls, before the river makes its dramatic final leap at the main Burgess Falls. Each cascade has its own character, and the steady drop of the trail mirrors the drop of the river.

The main falls is the reward, a broad, powerful cascade of about 136 feet that fans over the rim and crashes into the gorge below. An overlook perched near the lip gives a commanding view, and on a full-water day the roar and mist fill the whole gorge. The stairs and trail below the overlook have been closed at times for safety, so it is wise to check current conditions before counting on reaching the very base.

The Falling Water River corridor is a rich strip of Tennessee woodland, with hemlock, oak, and hickory shading the gorge and wildflowers lining the trail in spring. Herons and kingfishers work the river, hawks ride the air over the gorge, and deer, turkey, and smaller mammals move through the surrounding forest. The mist and shade near the falls create cool pockets where mosses and ferns thrive.

Because the falls depend on the river's flow, the park changes character with the seasons and the rain. After a wet stretch the cascades are thunderous, while a long dry spell can thin them considerably, which is part of what makes each visit a little different.

Spring is the classic time to visit, when snowmelt and rain swell the river, the falls run their fullest, and wildflowers carpet the gorge floor. Summer brings green shade and warmth, though flows can drop in a dry stretch, and the cool river corridor is a welcome retreat from the heat.

Fall lights the surrounding hardwood forest with color and thins the crowds, a favorite season for photographers. Winter is quiet and stark, and after a hard freeze the falls can develop ice along their edges, though trails may be slick and some sections harder to reach.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Burgess Falls State Park, near Cookeville in Middle Tennessee, is a beautiful park famous for a series of stunning waterfalls that tumble down the Falling Water River through a scenic gorge. A trail leads past several cascades, culminating in the dramatic main falls, a powerful waterfall that plunges into a gorge amid lush forest, offering breathtaking scenery and overlooks. The park's succession of beautiful waterfalls, wooded trails, and river views make it one of the loveliest natural destinations in the region. A gorgeous waterfall park, it delights visitors. With its cascades and gorge, Burgess Falls State Park offers a spectacular destination in Tennessee.

You can hike the trail past the series of waterfalls, view the dramatic main falls and the smaller cascades from overlooks, enjoy the river and forest scenery, and photograph the beautiful falls. The succession of waterfalls, the scenic overlooks, the wooded trails, and the gorge views are the draws, making it a wonderful destination for waterfall and nature lovers. The powerful main falls is the highlight. With its waterfalls, Burgess Falls State Park offers a rewarding experience in Tennessee.

Burgess Falls has steep gorge cliffs and powerful water, and swimming and wading near the falls are not allowed because of the dangerous currents and drop-offs where accidents have occurred, so staying on the marked trails and overlooks, keeping back from cliff and waterfall edges, and heeding all warnings are essential. The trail can be steep and rocky, so sturdy footwear and watching your footing matter. Staying on trails, back from the edges, and out of the dangerous water ensure a safe visit to Burgess Falls State Park in Tennessee.

The waterfalls are most dramatic and full in spring and after rains, making spring a spectacular time, while the mild months of spring through fall are pleasant for the trails, with fall bringing lovely foliage to the gorge. Because trail and water conditions vary, checking current information before you go is wise. For the fullest falls aim for spring, or for pleasant hiking and foliage visit spring through fall, at Burgess Falls State Park in Tennessee.

Burgess Falls State Park is near Cookeville in Middle Tennessee, within reach of Cummins Falls State Park, the Cookeville Depot Museum, Standing Stone State Park, and the routes across the Cumberland Plateau region. That makes Burgess Falls State Park a spectacular stop to combine with Cummins Falls State Park and the other attractions of Middle Tennessee on a visit to the state.