The waterfalls at Burgess Falls State Park are some of the most beautiful sights in Tennessee. Located on the Falling Water River, fishing and picnicking are some of the most popular activities at the park. To see the most impressive of the waterfalls within the grounds of the park, the best trail to take is the 1.5-mile round-trip River Trail/Service Road Loop, which is of moderate difficulty. The half-mile Ridge Top Trail is also well worth taking on for the stunning views down the Falling Water River.

The entrance to Burgess Falls State Park is located just off Tennessee State Route 135 roughly halfway between Cookeville and Sparta. The park is open year-round, but is closed on days of high precipitation due to the Falling Water River’s volatility.

A 1.5-mile loop trail follows the bluffs along the south bank of the gorge, starting at Falling Water Cascades and ending at a platform overlooking Burgess Falls. Little Falls and Middle Falls are also visible from the trail. A stairway leads down to the overhang of Burgess Falls and continues down into the gorge. A second loop trail follows the ridgeline southwest of Burgess Falls.
The Burgess Falls State Natural Area includes Burgess Falls Lake and part of the forest on the both sides of the river in the lake’s vicinity.