Burgess Falls: trail, fees and parking
Burgess Falls is free to visit, but parking is the thing to plan around right now: the state park is mid-construction on a new visitor center, and the upper lot has been closed since 2025 with no firm reopening date. The falls themselves are a series of four cascades along the Falling Water River, ending in a 136-foot main drop, and there's no trail to the base from inside the park. The rest of the state's free park falls are collected in our waterfalls in Tennessee guide.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36.044°N, 85.594°W, White/Putnam county line, per USGS topographic data |
| Height | 136 ft, the main lower drop; three smaller cascades sit upstream, per Tennessee State Parks |
| Flow | Runoff-dependent; strongest in spring, noticeably lower by late summer |
| Access | Short overlook walk under 1.5 miles; no trail down to the base of the main falls from inside the park |
| Parking | Free, but reduced during 2026 construction; upper lot closed, no RV/trailer parking |
| Legal status | Public land, Burgess Falls State Park, Tennessee State Parks |
| Season | Open year-round; closes when the river runs high or trails ice over |
Trail and access
A network of short, well-graded trails inside Burgess Falls State Park leads to overlooks for all four cascades along the Falling Water River, none of them more than about a mile and a half round trip. The park doesn't offer a maintained route down to the base of the main 136-foot drop; the only way to see it from the bottom is by boat or kayak launched from the Cane Hollow Recreation Area downstream, a separate trip entirely from the walk-in overlooks.
Parking is the practical hurdle here through 2026. Tennessee State Parks is building a new visitor center and aviary at Burgess Falls, and construction has closed the upper lot and cut the park's normal 84 spaces down substantially, with no RV or trailer parking available and the park office temporarily relocated off-site (Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, August 2025). Staff are asking visitors to stick to designated spaces rather than park on the roadside, and to consider a weekday trip or a nearby park if the lot is full.
The falls
The Falling Water River drops through Burgess Falls in stages: a small cascade, then a middle falls, then a third drop before the main 136-foot plunge that gives the park its name. All four are visible from marked overlooks connected by an easy trail network, making this one of the more compact multi-waterfall stops on this list even with the current parking squeeze. Flow tracks the seasons closely; spring rain keeps the river running full, and a dry late summer can thin all four falls noticeably compared to photos taken earlier in the year.
How this guide was researched
This page was compiled from Tennessee State Parks' official park information and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's construction and parking updates. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Construction status and parking availability change; verify current conditions with Burgess Falls State Park before you go. Last checked August 2026.
FAQ
Is there a fee to visit Burgess Falls?
No. Entry to Burgess Falls State Park is free, same as every Tennessee state park.
Can you hike to the base of Burgess Falls?
Not from inside the park. There's no trail down to the base of the main 136-foot falls; the only way to see it from below is by boat or kayak launched from the Cane Hollow Recreation Area.
Is parking open at Burgess Falls right now?
Parking is limited during ongoing 2026 visitor center construction. The upper lot is closed and RV/trailer parking isn't available; check current conditions before visiting, especially on weekends.
How tall is Burgess Falls?
The main falls drops 136 feet. It's the last and largest of four cascades along the Falling Water River inside the park.
Is Burgess Falls good for kids?
The overlook trails are short and manageable for most families, but several viewpoints sit above steep drops, so keep young kids close to the railings rather than letting them explore the rim on their own.
We haven't visited these places ourselves, and every page says so rather than implying otherwise. Details are compiled from public land-manager, USGS and NOAA sources and cross-checked where possible; conditions, access rules and fees change without notice, so confirm with the managing agency before you go. Page last checked August 2026. Read our full methodology.