Middle Falls

Putnam County, Tennessee

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Putnam County, Tennessee
Access status: Guide: river trail past the cascades and upper falls
The walk: The River Trail Service Road Loop is 1.5 miles round trip; the middle falls are partway along it
Ground & access: Moderately strenuous natural-surface trail with steps and roots, per the park.

Tennessee State Parks: Burgess Falls hiking

The middle falls is the 80-foot third waterfall on the Falling Water River in Burgess Falls State Park. The River Trail leaves the parking lot and follows the river past the 20-foot cascades and the 30-foot upper falls to the middle falls, then on to the 136-foot main falls overlook. The park says most people return to the parking lot on the service road. The park says there is no access to the base of the main falls from the park and there is no designated swim area.

Plan your visit

Burgess Falls State Park main trailhead, River Trail along the Falling Water River past the cascades and upper falls to the middle falls

Tennessee State Parks gives 1.5 miles round trip for the River Trail and Service Road loop, which passes all four waterfalls, and lists the River Trail itself at 0.75 mile. No separate distance to the middle falls is given.

Moderately strenuous natural-surface trail with steps and roots, per the park.

Where to start

Main trailhead, 4000 Burgess Falls Drive, Sparta, TN 38583. The park says it gets heavy visitation: park only in designated spaces, never on roadsides, and if the lot is full consider another park. RV and trailer parking may be limited.

Timing & water

Main trailhead hours vary by season, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in winter to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in early summer, per the park.

Before you go

No fee is mentioned. No booking is needed.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Tennessee

Waterfall location

Putnam County, Tennessee.

Open location map