Burden Falls Wilderness

An intermittent stream spills over Burden Falls, a picturesque series of waterfalls that drop a total of about 100 feet, with a greatest single descent of approximately 20 feet. Burden Creek flows northward toward the Little Saline River. The Wilderness shares its southern boundary with Bay Creek Wilderness, and both exemplify the scenic characteristics of the Shawnee Hills: sandstone ledges overlooking bluffs and cliffs on which dry-land communities of red cedar, farkleberry and blackjack oak grow. At the bottom of the bluffs, greater soil depth supports post oak, and farther from the cliffs white oak grows in even deeper soil. Several unique species of plant life thrive in the area, including Carolina buckthorn, seldom seen this far north, along with rock chestnut, prickly pear, royal fern, glade fern and the cardinal flower. Among the inhabitants of the deciduous forest are white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, gray squirrels and many other small mammals. The barred owl lives here alongside pileated woodpeckers and eastern bluebirds. The Burden Falls Trail runs 3.5 miles above the waterfall. Hunting and fishing are allowed, and permits are not required for trail use or camping. Bird watching and photography make this a worthwhile destination.