Kayaking Burgess Falls With Low Water Levels

Burgess Falls State Park, located in Sparta, Tennessee, offers an amazing kayaking experience, but when water levels are low, things don’t go as smoothly. Before reaching the iconic 136-foot waterfall, you might run into an issue of the water level being too low for you to kayak through. However, this does not have to be such a big issue, especially if you are prepared.

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How To Get To Burgess Falls

The easiest way to get to Burgess Falls is by launching in at Cane Hollow Recreation Area. You can easily get here by putting Cane Hollow Recreation Area in your GPS and following it until you reach the water. There is a parking lot, a picnic table, porta-potties, and a few life vests. After launching, you will take the route straight ahead until you get to the falls. There are no turns you have to take other than wrapping around bends, so it is a pretty straightforward trip. There will likely be other kayakers and paddlers out, so if you get lost, follow the crowd.

Burgess Falls Kayaking Requirements

To Kayak in Tennesse, you must have a life vest on your boat at all times. You don’t have to be wearing it, but as long as one is sitting on your kayak with you, you will be fine. As long as no one else is using them, there are life vests available at Cane Hollow Recreation Area that you can borrow on your trip. However, I would just go ahead and buy one rather than risk it. You will obviously also need a kayak. My boyfriend and I bought some inflatable Intex ones off of Amazon while our friends used some from Sun Dolphin. All of them held up nicely, so it just depends on your preference.

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Burgess Falls Kayaking Difficulty

Since you are kayaking in a lake, there is not really a stream to fight against or push you along, so you will be doing a lot of rowing. It is a fairly easy experience at around 4 miles roundtrip, but you will definitely be sore the next day if you’re a beginner. However, there is no reason not to take breaks when you need them. The falls will still be there if you take your time. Be aware of large branches, rocks, and wildlife, so you can do your best to avoid hitting them.

Parking Your Kayak When The Water Level Is Too Low

Water levels are typically only high enough for you to kayak fully to the falls during the late spring and early summer when rainfall is heavy. If you are kayaking during another time of the year, you will likely reach a point on your journey where you can no longer continue on kayaking. This typically happens around a quarter mile away from the falls. When you reach this point, just park your kayak on the shore, leave it and your oar behind, grab your belongings, and walk the rest of the way. The walk is not very easy as it involves a lot of either wading through moving water, stepping in the mud, and climbing over rocks. Just be careful and take your time. Slipping is definitely possible, so ensure valuables are in a waterproof bag or case.

Burgess Falls Tips

Since you will be out on the water for a while, consider bringing some snacks and especially some water. After you get back to Cane Hollow Recreation Area, you can also enjoy a nice picnic if you pack a lunch.

Also, when we went, I decided to bring water shoes and a waterproof phone case lanyard. Both proved to be very useful, and I would highly recommend doing the same. During our time on the water, the weather changed from sunny to cloudy and back to sunny, so it is best to have sunscreen on hand even if you think it is going to be a cloudy day.

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Hopefully, you feel more prepared for your kayaking trip to Burgess Falls and won’t be intimidated by the low water levels. Photos and videos do not do Burgess Falls justice, and I can’t wait for you to see it in person!

See Also: Kayaking the Withlacoochee River in Madison, Florida