Burgess Falls State Park, Cascading waterfall state park in Putnam County, Tennessee.
The 217-acre Burgess Falls State Park presents four substantial waterfalls along the Falling Water River, with the main cascade dropping 130 feet.
The park bears the name of Tom Burgess, who operated a grist mill and lumber mill near the falls during early settlement times.
The land connects to Native American heritage and European settlement patterns through its placement along the Falling Water River trading routes.
Visitors can access multiple overlooks through a 1.5-mile round-trip trail system that descends to each waterfall level from spring through fall.
The main waterfall splits midway down its 130-foot drop, creating a natural water curtain pattern across protruding limestone formations.
Location: Tennessee
Inception: 1971
Website: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/burgess-falls
GPS coordinates: 36.04417,-85.59418
Latest update: May 27, 2025 13:27
Tennessee offers a notable mix of geological formations and historical sites that document different periods of American history. The state extends from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River in the west, encompassing extensive cave systems, waterfalls, and forested areas. Underground attractions include The Lost Sea Adventure near Sweetwater, one of the largest underground lakes in America, and Tuckaleechee Caverns near Townsend with its flowstone formations. Ruby Falls in Chattanooga takes visitors 1,100 feet (335 m) below ground to an underground waterfall. The state's natural parks protect waterfalls of varying size and accessibility. Fall Creek Falls near Spencer drops 256 feet (78 m) and ranks among the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Burgess Falls and Cummins Falls offer hiking trails to cascades, while Ozone Falls is accessible directly from the roadside. Big South Fork National River includes gorges and whitewater sections in the Cumberland Plateau. Historical sites document the Civil War through battlefields like Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and through preserved structures such as the Carter House in Franklin. Belle Meade Plantation near Nashville shows life on a 19th-century horse farm, while Chucalissa Archaeological Museum presents pre-Columbian settlements of the Mississippian culture.
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