Trails
Burgess Falls State Natural AreaCordell Hull Birthplace
Cumberland Mountain
Fall Creek Falls
Edgar Evins State Park
Standing Stone
Burgess Falls State Natural Area
Burgess Falls State Natural Area, located in Middle Tennessee, lies on the eastern edge of Tennessee's Highland Rim adjacent to the Cumberland Plateau and is noted for its natural beauty. Sheer bluffs, narrow ridges, rolling water and abundant mixed forest, characterize this area. The Falling Water River drops approximately 250 feet, providing numerous waterfalls, breathtaking scenery and overlooks. The park is home to over 300 species of trees and plants and an abundance of wildlife. Park visitors can visit the large Native Butterfly Garden located adjacent to the upper parking lot.
Historical Significance
The history of Burgess Falls can be traced back over three centuries. Before European settlement, Indians of the Cherokee, Creek and Chickasaw tribes shared this region as a hunting ground. It was named for Tom Burgess, an American Revolutionary War veteran, who was deeded the land in 1793 by the U.S. Government as partial payment for his services. For many decades the Burgess family provided settlers with meal and cut lumber from their gristmill and lumber mill on Falling Water River above the falls. For the growing logging and farming communities, the Falling Water River played a key role by providing energy and recreational opportunities. Under protection as a State Natural Area since 1973, visitors today may enjoy the same scenic splendor of Burgess Falls, easily seen from the River Trail.
Hiking
The main 1.5-mile round-trip river trail/service road loop takes you past four waterfalls on the Falling Water River. The waterfalls are 20' cascades, 30' upper falls, 80' middle falls, and 136' lower falls in height. Most people prefer to hike back to the parking lot along the service road. The 1-mile Ridge Top Trail is very scenic with views down the main canyon of the Falling Water River. Trails are moderate in difficulty. All trails are foot trails. Bikes, horses, etc. are not permitted.
Natural Area
Burgess Falls is a natural area in Putnam and White Counties and is located approximately thirteen miles southwest of Cookeville. It is managed by Tennessee State Parks. Burgess Falls lies on the rugged dissected eastern edge of the Eastern Highland Rim resulting in the occurrence of sheer bluffs, narrow ridges, waterfalls, and diverse forest communities. For more information about this unique natural area visit the Division of Natural Heritage.
Picnic Facilities
Burgess Falls Natural Area offers picnicking below the dam with a scenic view of the river. The park has 16 picnic tables, 12 of which are equipped with grills. None of the picnic tables are equipped with water spigots. Picnic tables are not covered and are available on a first come, first serve basis. A larger, covered picnic pavilion can accommodate 80 people and can be reserved up to a year in advance. The pavilion is equipped with tables and grills. Restrooms and a playground are nearby. It is ideal for supervised groups such as reunions and church groups.
Planned Programs
Park staff offers year round interpretive programs for adults and children. Curriculum based programs are offered for schools and are provided on and off-site. Programs are also provided for private groups upon request and availability of staff.
Special Events
Annual Butterfly Garden Celebration is the second Saturday of August. This is a day of educational programs to celebrate the 20,000 square foot garden that staff and volunteers have landscaped using native plants to attract native butterflies, other wildlife, and to beautify the park.
Playgrounds
There is one playground located in the picnic area. Restrooms are also located nearby.
Tour Buses
Tour Buses are welcome but groups are encouraged to call in advance to insure best service. Recommended parking for buses is the first parking lot on the right as you enter the park. The first lot is designed for buses, mobile homes, and large camping vehicles.
Hours of Operation
8:00 a.m. until 30 minutes before sundown when gates are closed.
**Park is closed when the river is high or when there is snow on the roads and/or trails.
Cordell Hull Birthplace
The Cordell Hull Birthplace and Museum is a historic site owned by the State of Tennessee. It was placed under the Tennessee Dept. of Environment and Conservation, Division of Parks in June 1997 by an act of the Tennessee General Assembly. The site is located on 45-acres on the Highland Rim, near Byrdstown, north of Cookeville, near the Kentucky border.
The site consists of a representation of Hull's log cabin birthplace, an activities center and a museum housing documents and artifacts. Also on the park is beautiful Bunkum Cave Trail leading to an overlook and the actual entrance of historic Bunkum Cave where Cordell Hull's father made moonshine years ago. The collection includes his Nobel Peace Prize that is on display.
Hiking Trail
Bunkum Cave Trail was dedicated June 8, 2006 and was built by Americorps*NCCC, numerous volunteers, and state park staff. The trail is rated moderate due to many gentle hills. The hike to the overlook is 3/4 mile (1.5 miles roundtrip), and the hike to the cave entrance is an additional ½ mile (2.5 miles roundtrip). Meandering through the mixed deciduous forest, the hiker may be able to view a variety of plant and animal life. Spring wildflowers in late March - early May are exceptional. The view of the cave is most impressive, the entrance measures 100 feet wide and 50 feet tall. Visitors are welcome to explore the beginning of the cave but are required to obtain a permit from the park office to venture past the cave entrance.
Historic Park
Cordell Hull (October 2, 1871-July 23, 1955) was born in a log cabin in Pickett County, Tennessee, the third of the five sons of William and Elizabeth (Riley) Hull. His father was a farmer and subsequently a lumber merchant. The only one of the five boys who showed an interest in learning, Cordell wanted to be a lawyer. He obtained his elementary school training in a one-room school that his father had built in nearby Willow Grove; then for a period of about three years, he attended in succession the Montvale Academy at Celina, Tennessee, the Normal School at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He received a law degree in 1891 after completing a one-year course at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Elected to Congress from the Fourth Tennessee District in 1907, Hull served as a U.S. Representative until 1931. He was elected U.S. Senator for the 1931-37 term but resigned upon his appointment as Secretary of State by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 4, 1933. He was sixty-two. Ill health forced Hull to resign from office on November 27, 1944 before final ratification of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco. President Roosevelt praised Secretary Hull as "the one person in all the world who has done the most to make this great plan for peace an effective fact."
THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Following nomination by Roosevelt, the Norwegian Nobel Committee presented the 1945 Nobel Prize for Peace to Hull in recognition of his work in the Western Hemispheres, for his international trade agreements, and for his efforts in establishing the United Nations.
Picnic
There are 10 picnic tables and 5 grills available at the park site. The picnic area may be reserved for large groups. Reservations are taken up to one week in advance.
Contact the park at 931-864-3247.
Cumberland Mountain
Cumberland Mountain State Park is situated on the Cumberland Plateau, a segment of the great upland, which extends from western New York to central Alabama. It is said to be the largest timbered plateau in America. This 1,720-acre park was acquired in 1938 as a project of the Farm Security Administration to provide a recreational area for some 250 families selected to homestead on the Cumberland Plateau.
The Homestead Museum, located one mile from the park, depicts the Cumberland Homestead Community of the 1930's. This community built the park along with help from the U.S. Civilian Conservation Corps and U.S. Works Progress Administration.
Hiking Trails
The park offers several miles of moderate trails around the lake, creek and in the woods. Overnight camping is allowed on one of the trails. Trails are open year-round.
Fall Creek Falls
Bicycle Trails
Three miles of paved bike trails and 15 miles of moderately difficult mountain bike trails are offered. Rental bikes are offered seasonally by a leased operation. Please remember that mountain bikes are not allowed on hiking trails.
Hiking
There are over 34 miles of hiking trails around the park. Hikers can opt for short or long walks around the lake and to and from the base of Fall Creek Falls. There are two long distance overnight trails for the more adventuresome. The day-use trails are designed to accommodate recreational and educational activities including fitness walking, leisure walking and easy hiking, or exploring the Parks' geological features and forest life typical of the Cumberland Plateau.
The Nature Center, located near the North entrance of the park, is a popular trailhead. Trail information is available inside the Nature Center. Trails also originate or can be linked from the village area, campground, inn, group camp #2 entrance gate, the Falls parking lot and the Piney Falls parking lot.
The Fall Creek Falls Overlook Trail is accessible to persons with a disability.
Trails Open Year Round.
Nature Center
Fall Creek Falls boasts an outstanding nature center with many attractive interpretive displays. Naturalists present daily programs during the summer and by arrangement at other times of the year. These may include nature demonstrations, art and crafts, movies, campfires, organized games and live musical entertainment. For more information or to schedule a program contact the Nature Center at 423-881-5708.
Picnic Facilities
The park has five covered picnic pavilions, each of which will accommodate up to 75 people. There are 12 picnic areas, most handicapped accessible, throughout the park. There are also a large number of individual tables and most sites have charcoal grills and water spigots nearby.
Playgrounds and Sports Fields
There are four playgrounds located in the park.
Edgar Evins State Park
Hiking Trails
For the hiker, a scenic two-mile trail, beginning at the park visitor center, meanders around the edge of the lake. Also, a half-mile trail is located to the left just before reaching the cabin complex and a trail that begins in the campground near site #60 and ends at Edgar Evins Marina. The length of this trail is approximately 2 miles.
There is also a short trail leading to the Dunham Cemetery site. The trail is located on the main park road between the maintenance area and the campground. It is approximately 1/4 mile long and slopes up a steep grade.
The four mile Jack L. Clayborn Millenium Trail, constructed by the Tennessee Trails Association, was dedicated at the park's 25th Anniversary celebration on August 5, 2000.
The TTA completed work in June 2001 on another section of trail that adds an additional 8 miles to the hiking trails at the park
Hours of Operation: 6 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Standing Stone
Hiking Trails
Ten miles of hiking trails wind through the wilds of Standing Stone. Hikers will observe much diversity in plant and animal life from the trails as they trek across swinging bridges.
Trails are open year round. Over night camping is not allowed on any of the trails
