About this spot
Middle Falls is the third and tallest secondary waterfall (about 80 ft) on the Falling Water River at Burgess Falls State Park near Sparta, TN, seen from an overlook along the most strenuous, stair-heavy stretch of the River Trail loop. The park is free and open daily. Park management states plainly that swimming anywhere in the gorge is dangerous and not permitted — strong currents, slick bedrock ledges, and submerged hazards apply here as elsewhere in the park — so this is strictly a viewing stop on the way to the main 136-foot Burgess Falls further downstream. No jump or swim culture is documented at this specific fall.
Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.