It’s that time of year again, at least for me, to start scheduling a waterfall trip for the summer. Drive time for this day trip is just over an hour, but will take most of the day if you want to spend time enjoying the waterfalls.
This is an fun day trip with trails that are easy and many scenic waterfalls for you to enjoy. My toddler was able to complete each trail and only required assistance on one trail on a steeper staircase.
Cookeville is also a great place to stay while visiting all of its amazing waterfalls. From historic WestSide with its shopping and treats, to the unusual Spokes sculpture and a walk through history at the Cookeville Depot Museum, there’s something for everyone.
Burgess Falls State Park
Falling Water Cascades
Burgess Falls State Park is home to Falling Water Cascades and three other (Little/Upper Falls, Middle Falls and Burgess Falls) waterfalls on the same trail. Falling Water Cascades is the first you will come to on the trail. It is only a couple of feet from the parking lot.
From the parking lot, just follow the stairs and your ears straight down to the 20 foot Falling Water Cascades. While this waterfall alone is pretty, it probably wouldn’t be worth a trip just to see it. However, this is just the first of four on this trail and each one along the trail is more impressive than the previous.
Little/Upper Falls
Little/Upper Falls is the second waterfall on the trail leading to Burgess Falls. It is 30 feet and very pretty.
After viewing Falling Water Cascades continue down the trail. There are a few roots protruding from the trail so watch your step. The overlook for Upper Falls is right before you get to the large wooden bridge. However, I think the view just after you cross the bridge is better (at least in the Spring, when I visited).
The remains of a pipeline bridge that used to cross the river into a tunnel on the north wall of the gorge is visible above Upper Falls. The bridge used to cross by Upper Falls and again near Middle Falls to a powerhouse.
There is an ADA overlook accessible from the parking lot, some people have said that it is to Burgess Falls however this is incorrect. The ADA overlook is for Upper/Little Falls.
Middle Falls
Middle Falls, at 80 feet in height, is Little/Upper Fall‘s big brother. A short distance after you pass Little/Upper Falls you’ll come to a steep staircase. Some of the steps were a little tall for my toddler to easily navigate, but with help he was able to manage them. There is a bench at the top of the stairs before you continue on to Middle Falls.
There was originally an overlook for Middle Falls, however it was washed out due to some recent flooding (we visited in March 2019). The view just before you get to the overlook is still very impressive.
Burgess Falls
After viewing Middle Falls, be sure to continue down the trail to the 136 foot Burgess Falls, the main attraction. There will be a sign by Middle Falls, pointing the direction to Burgess Falls. Continue to follow the trail to the Burgess Falls overlook.
The staircase to take you down to the base of the falls was closed during our visit. According to the park website, the staircase will remain closed until further notice. This was the portion of the trail that is strenuous.
To return to your car you may either go back the way you came or you may return using a access road that is an easy, level path that runs above the trail you took to get to Burgess Falls. It is a much easier path as you don’t have to climb down the steep staircase.
If you just want to view Burgess Falls you can take the ADA overlook paved trail. The pavement ends at the Upper/Little Falls overlook. Continue down the gravel road until it ends. You’ll see a staircase heading down. This will take you to the Burgess Falls overlook.
City Lake Falls
City Lake Falls is located inside the City Lake Natural Area in Cookeville. This park and the trail to the waterfall is family friendly. The hike to City Lake Falls is an easy 0.6 mile round trip. About half of the trail is paved and then turns to gravel. The trail dead ends into City Lake Falls.
The parking area is located next to a beautiful lake. You’ll see the trail that leads you to the waterfall toward the back of the parking area. While you’re there you may want to enjoy the lake, which is quite peaceful, or go fishing for catfish or bass.
Hardy-Reagan Falls
Hardy-Reagan Falls, is a great place to relax in nature, just a short drive outside of downtown Cookeville. Although short in height, it makes up for it in length. The rocky cliff behind the waterfall is tall and interesting to look at. The cliff adds dimension to the waterfall and sets Hardy-Reagan Falls apart from the many other waterfalls with this shape.
The waterfall is family friendly as it would be easy, even for your little ones to get to it. It’s not the easiest to find, so when we visited we were fortunate to have the waterfall all to ourselves.
Waterloo Falls
Waterloo Falls is a 35 foot waterfall located about 15 minutes north of Cookeville. One really great thing about Waterloo Falls is it is a twofer. You can access two waterfalls from the same parking area.
Waterloo Falls is a popular event destination, so you might want to look on the website below to check and see if the waterfall is open to the public.
Waterloo Falls is on private property, so if you want to go to visit Waterloo Falls you’ll need to purchase a pass. Cost is $10 per adult and $5 per child (ages 4-13). You can purchase passes at https://waterloovenueandevents.com/river-access/. Parking is only in designated areas. Parking on the shoulder of the road is prohibited.
Upper Waterloo Falls
After you view Waterloo Falls be sure to check out Upper Waterloo Falls, also located on the same property.
At only 5 feet in height, it isn’t the most impressive waterfall, but it is quite pretty and peaceful. It is, however, really wide. There are also “angel wing” shells at the end of the path leading to the waterfall which my kids enjoyed finding.
Cummins Falls
Cummins Falls is Tennessee’s eighth largest waterfall in volume. Cummins Falls has two sections. The first has a plunge drop of 50 feet, that ends in a shallow pool. The second part cascades another 25 feet into a large, deep swimming hole. Cummins Falls has been voted one of the ten best swimming holes in the entire country.
There is a large platform where you can look down into the gorge and see Cummins Falls or you can hike down to the base, which requires a permit. The gorge trail as strenuous and is only permitted on fair-weather days (due to the area being prone to flash flooding).
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