“It’s the journey, not the destination,” says everyone. But while kayaking through Falling Water River to Burgess Falls is lovely, what awaits at the end is truly mesmerizing—136-foot falls cascading into a gorge below, surrounded by limestone walls as high as 100–200 feet. And a perfect, albeit adventurous, swimming hole that you’re right in the center of.
Which is exactly where we want to be on a hot summer day.
The falls are only accessible by kayak from the Cane Hollow Recreation Area, keeping them pristine and free from overcrowding and litter. The day we kayaked, there were a couple groups from Cumberland Kayak, which offers a guided tour to the falls, but in general we had the water all to ourselves. There is a short hike in Burgess Falls State Park that offers a view of the falls from above, but on a hot day, we’d prefer to be in the water, for sure.
With some difficulty, you can hoist yourself onto the rocks immediately below the falls, completely immersing yourself in an invigorating shower of pulsating water. When done with your swim (or shower), climb out onto the limestone rocks that surround the gorge for a picnic, sunning, or just to take in the spectacular view. It’s all a bit surreal.
Cane Hollow Recreation Area
Cane Hollow Road, Sparta, Tenn., 38583
Less than 2 hours from Nashville
