Parking at Burgess Falls State Park will be impacted over the next several months as construction continues to progress.
Park Manager Nathaniel Garrison said construction has now reached the phase of the expanded parking area. Garrison said the upper parking area has been demolished and has reduced 87 parking spaces to 54 spaces.
“We are very much looking forward to the day when we will be able to accommodate everyone, but in the short term, there will be a little bit increased frustration, and I ask those folks to bear with us,” Garrison said. “The end is in sight. We just have to keep trudging on along.”
Garrison said alternative parking can be found at Whispering Falls RV Park and Chestnut Oak Farm Store and Kitchen. Garrison asks that visitors who park in areas that are not designed for parking will be subject to towing.
“We encourage folks to not park on the grass and do not double park, and you know, block entrances,” Garrison said. “Should an emergency happen, we do need to be able get ambulances and other rescue vehicles in and out in a good manner. So please do not park where you are gonna block through traffic. We also encourage folks, do not park along the roadsides.”
Garrison said improved parking has been the number one requested thing at Burgess Falls. Once construction is complete parking space will be increased to 159 parking spaces. Garrison said more parking, along with a new visitor center and park aviary, will take the park to the next level.
“With our close vicinity to Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, you know, we get close to 160,000 visitors a year,” Garrison said. “And you know, the weekends are always tight, but once we get this new facility, expanded parking, and everything, Burgess Falls is on a bright path.”
Garrison said he expects construction to be completed sometime in 2026. Garrison said though some may be discouraged to visit while construction is going on, he still believes Burgess Falls has a lot to offer.
