Burgess Falls State Park
Sparta, TN
A series of waterfalls on the Falling Water River, ending with a big drop into a gorge. A short trail leads to an overlook of the main falls.
Burgess Falls State Park is a state park of about 350 acres (roughly 140 hectares) near Sparta, Tennessee, managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Here the Falling Water River drops about 250 feet (roughly 76 m) in less than a mile and forms several waterfalls before flowing into Center Hill Lake.
Burgess Falls itself plunges 136 feet (about 41 m); other drops are the Middle Falls at 80 feet and the Little Falls at about 30 feet. A 1.5-mile (about 2.4 km) loop trail runs along the south bank. According to Wikipedia, there is no access to the base of Burgess Falls because the stairs were removed after flooding.
Tom Burgess settled here in the 1810s and used the water to power a mill; an earthen dam from 1924 was destroyed by a flood in 1928. The park was established in 1971, is open year-round and closes on days of heavy precipitation. Please check current trail closures in advance.
- Nearest town
- Sparta, TN
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 36.0445, -85.5957
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. Hot in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Floating Mill CampgroundCampsite10 mi from Burgess Falls State Park · 115 pitches
- Ebenerez AcresCampsite12 mi from Burgess Falls State Park
- Pleasure LakeMotorhome stopover15 mi from Burgess Falls State ParkMotorhomes
- Spacious Skies Campgrounds - Belle RidgeCampsite19 mi from Burgess Falls State Park
- SALT LICK CAMPGROUNDCampsite22 mi from Burgess Falls State ParkTentsCaravans
- Pandora's ResortMotorhome stopover25 mi from Burgess Falls State ParkMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
All campsites in Tennessee · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Burgess Falls State Park?
Burgess Falls State Park is in Sparta, TN, at GPS 36.0445, -85.5957. It is about 10 mi from Cookeville.
Can you camp near Burgess Falls State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Floating Mill Campground, about 10 mi away; within 25 mi there are 12 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Burgess Falls State Park?
Burgess Falls State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Cumberland Plateau waterfalls.
What is there to see near Burgess Falls State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Cummins Falls State Park (14 mi), Rock Island State Park (17 mi), Fall Creek Falls State Park (30 mi) and Stone Door, Savage Gulf (42 mi).
When is the best time to visit Burgess Falls State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)