Right now
Right now as of Oct 18, 2026
- Status Partly open, as of the latest park update we found (April 3, 2026).
- Permit None needed.
Status note (Oct 18, 2026): Partly open, as of the latest park update we found (April 3, 2026). Park text says the main overlook is open and the gorge is closed, with the stairs to the base removed. The upper lot was closed for visitor-center construction. Tennessee State Parks' site wasn't loading in late October 2026, so check it, or call the park, before you go. What the status labels mean
Burgess Falls is the largest of four waterfalls on the Falling Water River in Burgess Falls State Park, between Sparta and Cookeville. Wikipedia, the Friends of Burgess Falls and some Tennessee State Parks pages give 136 feet; other park pages say 103. A 1.5-mile round-trip loop leads to the main overlook, and there's no entry fee. The stairs to the base are gone and the gorge is closed. Construction has cut parking to the lower lot.
About Burgess Falls
Burgess Falls is a plunge on the Falling Water River in Burgess Falls State Park, the last and largest of the river's four waterfalls.
The four waterfalls
The Falling Water River drops about 250 feet in less than a mile here, over four waterfalls. Wikipedia lists Falling Water Cascades (about 10 feet), Little Falls (about 30 feet) and Middle Falls (about 80 feet). Last comes Burgess Falls, also called Big Falls.
Sources disagree on the main falls' height. Tennessee State Parks pages list either 103 feet or 136 feet, depending on the page. Wikipedia and the Friends of Burgess Falls give 136 feet. Below the falls, the river flows on to Center Hill Lake.
The falls are named for Tom Burgess, a Revolutionary War veteran who settled here in the 1810s. He used the river to power a grist mill and later a sawmill.
The river was later dammed for power. In 1924 the City of Cookeville built an earthen dam upstream. A 1928 flood destroyed it, so the city replaced it with a concrete dam that supplied electricity until TVA power arrived in 1944.
Window Cliffs State Natural Area
The park also manages Window Cliffs State Natural Area, a separate strenuous hike of about 5.5 miles round trip with 18 stream crossings. It closes in high water, and the Friends of Burgess Falls say dogs are not allowed there.
Getting there and parking
Burgess Falls State Park sits off TN-135, roughly halfway between Sparta and Cookeville, and straddles Putnam and White counties. Tennessee State Parks, part of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), runs it.
A park update dated April 3, 2026 said the park office had moved temporarily to 8487 Burgess Falls Rd during construction.
Parking during construction
A new visitor center is being built; TDEC announced it in August 2024 along with a new aviary. In August 2025, TDEC said the upper lot would close during the work. The April 3, 2026 park update said it was still closed. That update listed the lower lot as open.
TDEC says capacity fell from 87 to 54 spaces during construction. The finished layout is planned for 159 spaces, 7 of them accessible. Trailers, RVs and buses are not allowed in either lot. Completion was expected in 2026, but we found no opening announcement.
The Friends of Burgess Falls say the lots can reach capacity on busy summer days. With fewer spaces, arrive early and have a backup in mind. Cummins Falls, also near Cookeville, has an overlook that needs no permit.
Fall Creek Falls, 256 feet tall, is about 29 miles away in a straight line.
There is no entry fee. Tennessee State Parks says in its FAQ that it charges no access fee at any state park and accepts donations instead. We found no parking fee at Burgess Falls.
We found no campground listed for Burgess Falls State Park; check Tennessee State Parks for nearby camping.
Map and nearby falls
Map loads as you scroll. Open in OpenStreetMap
OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
River Trail loop to the main overlook
Tennessee State Parks describes the main route as a 1.5-mile round-trip loop and rates it moderately strenuous. It follows a natural-surface river trail past all four waterfalls to the main falls overlook. Most visitors return on the gravel service road.
The overlook at the end is as close as you can get on foot. The staircase to the base of the main falls has been removed, and Wikipedia says that happened after flooding. The park lists the gorge as closed until further notice.
For a shorter outing, an ADA-accessible overlook of Little Falls sits near the parking area, according to the Friends of Burgess Falls.
Kayaking to the base
The park says the base can be reached only by boat or kayak, from Cane Hollow Recreation Area on Center Hill Lake. A Tennessee State Parks program listing describes a guided paddle of 2 miles each way from the Cane Hollow boat ramp.
The park's pages list no public boat ramp or kayak launch inside the park. We found no official guidance on lake levels, so check Tennessee State Parks before you plan a paddle.
When to visit
The park is open year-round, and the Friends of Burgess Falls say Window Cliffs closes when high water is present. We could not find official daily hours, so check Tennessee State Parks before a late-day visit.
The Friends of Burgess Falls say summer days are busy, and TDEC put the lower lot at 54 spaces during construction. Try a weekday or an early start. We could not find an official best season for flow.
Look for news on the visitor center before you go. When it opens, parking is planned to grow to 159 spaces, but we found no opening announcement.
When is the water highest?
At a USGS stream gauge about 4.7 mi from the falls, the flow averages highest in February and lowest in October, based on 30 complete years of records between 1935 and 2025.
Show the numbers
| Month | Average flow (cfs) |
|---|---|
| January | 260 |
| February | 336 |
| March | 261 |
| April | 174 |
| May | 108 |
| June | 66 |
| July | 53 |
| August | 41 |
| September | 40 |
| October | 27 |
| November | 54 |
| December | 144 |
| Height | 136 ftNote: Tennessee State Parks pages list 103 ft or 136 ft; Wikipedia and the Friends of Burgess Falls give 136 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | 1.5 mi round-trip loop past four waterfalls to the main overlook |
| Difficulty | Moderately strenuous (park rating) |
| Entry fee | No entry fee (Tennessee State Parks); we found no parking fee |
| Permit / reservation | None needed |
| Parking | Lower lot, 54 spaces during construction |
| Dogs | Allowed on a leash; not allowed at Window Cliffs |
| Swimming | No access to the base or gorge from the park; we found no official swimming rule |
| Wheelchair / stroller | Not confirmed for the loop to the main falls overlook; an ADA-accessible overlook of Little Falls is near the parking area (Friends of Burgess Falls) |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Crowds | Busy on summer days; lots can reach capacity (Friends of Burgess Falls) |
| Managed by | Tennessee State Parks (TDEC) |
Safety and swimming
We found no official swimming rule for Burgess Falls, but the park offers no land access to the base or the gorge. Stay on the trail and the overlooks, and don't go past closure signs or barriers.
The gorge stairs were removed after flooding, and the gorge is closed. Take that closure seriously. Expect wet, uneven ground along the river trail, and wear shoes with good grip.
Window Cliffs has 18 stream crossings and closes in high water. Check its status before you set out, and leave dogs at home for that hike.
Dogs are allowed on a leash, according to the Friends of Burgess Falls. Keep them close near the overlooks.
Where to stay near Burgess Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Sparta and Cookeville.
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Photos
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Burgess Falls FAQ
Is Burgess Falls open?
Partly, per the latest park update we found (April 3, 2026). Park text says the main overlook is open and the gorge is closed, and the upper lot was closed for construction. Check Tennessee State Parks before you go.
Can you hike or kayak to the bottom of Burgess Falls?
Not on foot: the staircase to the base was removed, and the gorge is closed. The park says the base can be reached by boat or kayak from Cane Hollow Recreation Area on Center Hill Lake. A park program listing describes a 2-mile paddle each way.
How long is the Burgess Falls hike?
About 1.5 miles round trip, per Tennessee State Parks, which rates it moderately strenuous. The loop passes four waterfalls on the way to the main overlook, and most people return on the service road.
Can you see Burgess Falls without hiking?
Only the smaller falls. An ADA-accessible overlook of Little Falls sits near the parking area (Friends of Burgess Falls). The main falls overlook needs the 1.5-mile round-trip loop.
Where is Burgess Falls State Park?
Off TN-135, roughly halfway between Sparta and Cookeville, straddling Putnam and White counties in Middle Tennessee.
Does Burgess Falls State Park charge a fee?
No. Tennessee State Parks says it charges no access fee at any state park. We found no parking fee at Burgess Falls.
Is parking limited at Burgess Falls?
Yes. TDEC said the upper lot would close during visitor-center construction, cutting capacity from 87 to 54 spaces. An April 3, 2026 park update said it was still closed. Trailers, RVs and buses aren't allowed.
Are dogs allowed at Burgess Falls?
Yes, on a leash. The Friends of Burgess Falls say dogs are not allowed at Window Cliffs State Natural Area.
Nearby waterfalls
Cummins Falls15 mi straight-lineOpen75FT
Fall Creek Falls29 mi straight-lineOpen256FT
Rutledge Falls53 mi straight-lineOpen
Machine Falls55 mi straight-lineOpen60FT PLUS
Ruby Falls72 mi straight-lineOpen
City guides: Waterfalls near Chattanooga, TN
On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls · Free waterfalls
Sources
Some facts credited to the Tennessee State Parks and TDEC come from search-result excerpts of their official pages. Confirm fees and rules on the official site.
- Tennessee State Parks: Burgess Falls
- Tennessee State Parks: Burgess Falls hiking
- Tennessee State Parks: Frequently asked questions (no access fee)
- TDEC: Construction at Burgess Falls will affect parking (Aug 29, 2025)
- TDEC: Burgess Falls gaining new visitor center, aviary (Aug 29, 2024)
- Friends of Burgess Falls: About the park
- Wikipedia: Burgess Falls State Park
- Tennessee State Parks: Kayak paddle to the base of Burgess Falls
- Tennessee State Parks: Burgess Falls waterfall viewing
Last verified Oct 18, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Tennessee State Parks (TDEC) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.