Trail Review: Burgess Falls State Park

Location: 4000 Burgess Falls Drive; Sparta., TN 38583
Trail Length: Apprx. 2.5 Miles Round Trip (for River Trail, spur to falls, Ridge Trail loop, and return to parking lot)
Difficulty: Moderate (with somewhat strenuous and slick descent to base of falls, which is optional)
Solitude: Moderate to crowded depending on season

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Burgess Falls is kind of a "pocket" state park. It was obviously designated to preserve the beautiful falls along the Falling Water River, and the park's property does not extend too far from the roughly 3/4 mile section of river where the falls lie. The main trail is the River Trail, which is only 0.8 miles (plus an extra 0.3 mile optional section to the base of the falls.) As you would think, the River Trail runs just along the Falling Water River offering views of cascades and water falls ranging from 20 feet to the spectacular main falls with a drop of 136 feet.

Trail Review: Volunteer Trail, Long Hunter State Park

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Trail: Volunteer Trail 
Location: Long Hunter State Park; Hermitage, TN
Trail Length: Apprx. 12 miles (including the 4 mi. Day Loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Solitude: Moderate to crowded (often busy on weekends)

My first solo backpacking trip was on this trail, and for good reason. The Volunteer Trail is especially well-suited to beginners or those looking for an easy, pleasant overnight wilderness trek. Well, “wilderness” hardly applies. Long Hunter is a very pretty, well-managed and well-maintained park, but given it is only a thirty-minute drive from downtown Nashville and sits on the very popular and populated Percy Priest Lake, this park is not secluded. As far as I’m concerned, that should be viewed as the charm of this trail. Given I only live a mile east of downtown Nashville, I’m grateful for the opportunity to hop in my car late in the afternoon, enjoy a 12 mile hike, sleep under the stars, and still make it home for lunch the next day. Let’s get into the specifics and features of the trail.

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