Burgess Falls State Park in Tennessee, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-11-01. Check linked official notices before travel.

Burgess Falls State Park follows the Falling Water River near Sparta, Tennessee. Visit for waterfall overlooks and woodland trails, with a shorter accessible option to the cascades. Parking construction affects arrival, and the park’s land entrance does not provide a route to the base of the main falls.

Choose an overlook visit or a woodland walk

• River Trail: follow the waterfall sequence on open, designated paths.
• Cascades sidewalk: the park identifies an ADA-accessible approach to the cascades.
• Ridgetop Trail: choose this woodland route for another part of the park’s trail network.

Allow for seasonal hours and limited parking

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Keep waterfall views separate from water access

Rocks near the top of Burgess Falls can be slippery and unstable. Stay on the designated visitor route rather than moving onto exposed rock. There is no designated swimming area, and no access to the falls’ base from inside the park. A boat approach from Cane Hollow is a separate trip, not an extension of the walking route.

Use the marked routes and parking spaces

Do not park along roadsides or outside designated spaces. The park promotes Leave No Trace practices; carry out what you bring and avoid disturbing the riverbank. Download directions before arrival because cell service is limited in the lots and on trails.

Contact staff for organized visits

For a group outing or ranger program, contact the park at 931-432-5312 before fixing your plans. Discuss parking needs and current construction access with staff. Plan this guide as a day visit rather than assuming overnight facilities at the waterfall trailhead.

Distinguish the trailhead from the relocated office

The main trailhead is at 4000 Burgess Falls Drive, Sparta, TN 38583. The relocated office is at 8487 Burgess Falls Road, Baxter, TN 38544. Use the official park map and the current park notice to choose the correct arrival point.

Nearby parks and natural areas

Window Cliffs State Natural Area has a separate entrance at 8400 Old Cane Creek Road in Baxter. Its round trip involves 18 creek crossings and can become impassable in high water. Cummins Falls State Park is at 390 Cummins Falls Lane near Cookeville; its route to the waterfall’s base requires a permit. Check those separate access conditions before adding either stop.

Match the walk to your group

Begin with the cascades sidewalk for the shorter accessible option. For a longer walking visit, compare the River and Ridgetop routes on the map. The park publishes 1.75 miles of hiking trails within Burgess Falls; Window Cliffs is a separate outing. Use the park highlights guide for trail context and wildlife interests.

Expect a day-use setting during construction

A picnic pavilion and playground support a family visit. The cascades sidewalk provides an accessible viewing option, but that does not establish accessibility for every trail or overlook. Confirm arrangements directly if your visit depends on a particular facility; the upper-lot closure limits arrival choices.

A river landscape with an industrial past

From hydropower to a state park

A dam and hydroelectric plant supplied Cookeville with power from 1924 until 1944. The landscape later became a protected recreation area, and Burgess Falls opened as a state park on July 8, 1975.

Watch the river and forest edges

Oak, beech and hemlock form part of the park’s plant community. Look for swallows over the river and, in spring and summer, herons along the water. Osprey and bald eagles also pass through; sightings vary with season and conditions.

Contact Burgess Falls State Park

Call 931-432-5312 for trailhead conditions, construction access and group planning.