Burgess Falls Park - Beautiful Scenic Waterfall Park in Tennessee
EducationBurgess Falls Park - Beautiful Scenic Waterfall Park in Tennessee
There are four beautiful scenic waterfalls located along the Falling Water River as it drops some 250 total feet spaced out over less than a mile through a deep gorge in Burgess Falls State Park in central Tennessee. The waterfalls and Burgess State Park are located right off Highway 135 about 7 miles south of Exit 286 off Interstate 40 about 50 miles east of Nashville.
To see the waterfalls along Falling Water River in Burgess Falls State Park visitors can hike along the River Trail/Service Road Loop which follows the river down through the gorge and past all the waterfalls. The first two falls are not particularly big. The first waterfall is called the Cascades and is some 20 feet in total height and the second waterfall is called Upper Falls or Little Falls and totals 30 feet.
The water at both of these minor waterfalls tumbles over small graduated rock levels. Along the trail hikers can also see some beautiful and scenic waterfalls along the many small streams that drop into the canyon gorge.
Just downstream though are the two real waterfalls in Burgess Falls State Park.
Middle Burgess Falls
Image Source by Brian Stansberry
Middle Falls drops some 80 total feet including small drops above the large drop which is spread out some 200 feet over the entire river. There is an overlook along the trail that gives hikers a great head-on shot of the Middle Burgess Falls.
Burgess Falls
Just downstream is the real waterfall people come to see at Burgess Falls State Park. Burgess Falls also sometimes called Lower Burgess Falls drops some 136 feet right over a large rock outcropping cliff face. The water here streams down the cliff face in beautiful fashion. Burgess Falls is certainly one of the most scenic waterfalls in the United States. When water levels are high the water drops like a huge sheet covering over the cliff face and down into the beautiful limestone gorge below.
Image Source by JT40D & Mark II
Visitors can hike down to the base of Burgess Falls from the overlook but the trail here drops rapidly and requires some effort from hikers.
Burgess Falls State Park is a beautiful scenic natural wonder in Tennessee containing many waterfalls and is only a little over an hour's drive from Nashville.
For more beautiful waterfalls see
Fall Creek Falls - Beautiful Scenic Waterfall Park in TN
Toccoa Falls - Beautiful Scenic University Waterfall in GA
Looking Glass Falls - Beautiful Scenic Popular Waterfall in North Carolina, USA
Spahats Creek Falls - Beautiful Scenic Waterfall in British Columbia
High Falls Genesee River - Beautiful Scenic Waterfall in Rochester, New York
Opaekaa Falls - Beautiful Scenic Waterfall on Kauai Hawaii
Beautiful Landmark Towers in Tennessee
Sources:http://state.tn.us/environment/parks/BurgessFalls/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgess_Falls_State_Park