This paper presents a linear stability analysis as well as some numerical results for the motion of heavy particles in the flow field of a Burgers vortex, under the combined effects of particle inertia, Stokes drag, and gravity. By rendering the particle motion equations dimensionless, the particle Stokes number, a Froude number, and a vortex Reynolds number are obtained as the governing three parameters. In the absence of gravity, the vortex center represents a stable equilibrium point for particles up to a critical value of the Stokes number, as the inward drag overcomes the destabilizing centrifugal force on the particle. Particles exceeding the critical Stokes number value asymptotically approach closed circular orbits. Under the influence of gravity, one or three equilibrium points appear away from the vortex center. Both their locations and their stability characteristics are derived analytically. These stability characteristics can furthermore be related to the nature of the critical points in a related directional force field. These findings are expected to be applicable to the coupling between the small‐scale turbulent flow structures and the motion of suspended particles. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.