Burgess Falls State Park

On April 26th, after our weekend camping trip at Rock Island State Park, we decided to swing by Burgess Falls State Park on our way home. Burgess Falls is a day-use park, so no camping is available. The park is located on the Falling Water River and is known for its four waterfalls, the last of which is pretty impressive.

Since we were on our way home from camping, we were towing our trailer. Thankfully, Burgess Falls does have a few extra-long parking spaces in their overflow parking lot that were just long enough to fit my truck and our 26' trailer. They are pull-in spaces, not pull-through spaces - so if you are arriving with a trailer, be prepared to back out of the space when you leave.

From the main parking area, park visitors can access a 1.5 mile round trip trail that runs along the Falling Water River and takes you past all four waterfalls. That main trail is well-traveled and not too strenuous. At the observation deck of the final and largest of the falls, there is a spur trail that descends to the base of the falls. That trail is rather strenuous: the first half being mostly steep stairs, and the last half climbing down steep and sometimes slippery rocks. If you are adventurous enough to take the spur trail, you will be rewarded with some spectacular vantages of the falls.

The first falls you come to from the main parking lot are the 20' Cascades.

Just below the cascades are the 30' Upper Falls.

Further down the trail and over a bridge are the 80' Middle Falls.

Here is a closer-up view of the Middle Falls.

At the end of the trail is an observation deck where you can view the 136' Lower Falls.

Right by the observation deck is a spur trail that takes you to the base of the falls. This is a view of the Lower Falls about half-way down the trail to the base - just before it starts to get really strenuous.

Aaron at the base of the falls.

At the base of the falls. I had mist all over my lens, so
the picture is a little blurry.

View from the top of the falls. I like how the water droplets look like they are leaping into the gorge below.