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Burgess Falls State Natural Area near Sparta, Tennessee
As payment for his service in the Revolutionary War, Thomas Burgess received a land grant here in 1793. Now it's the Burgess Falls State Natural Area. It lies on the eastern edge of Tennessee's Highland Rim, adjacent to the Cumberland Plateau and is noted for its natural beauty. The aptly-named Falling Water River drops 250 feet, providing waterfalls, wonderful scenery and overlooks in a park that is home to over 300 species of trees and plants. This is the river gorge.
There are three sections of waterfalls at Burgess Falls park. The small falls are right next to the parking lot, and you see them as soon as you get out of the car and walk the few yards to the river.
The small falls are really a cascade that has very large steps.

The hiking trail begins right along side the small falls and heads downriver.

While the river runs downhill, the hiking trail moves uphill, so you find yourself getting higher above the river, the farther you hike. And, in the Spring, as you hike, you find little feeder rivulets alongside the trail cutting their way down to the river.

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