Take the Friends’ Hiking Challenge -- “Hike into History”
The Friends of South Cumberland devoted its 2016 Hiking Challenge, "Hike into History," to showcasing some of the historic venues now contained within South Cumberland State Park. The southern Cumberland Plateau is an area rich in history, and this hiking challenge will take you to some of the most interesting places where history happened in the Park! Learn more about the Discovery Series or Adventurer Series hikes below...
Watch the "Hike Into History" intro video (13 minutes)...
Hikes for every age and skill level
There are two ways you can choose to “Hike into History”: Our Discovery Series hikes feature family-friendly, easy-to-moderate self-guided hikes on trails in the park that take you to an intriguing array of historical locations. Our Adventurer Series offers more challenging, Ranger-led and often off-trail hikes to features you generally cannot see from the trails. Participation in Adventurer Series hikes is by reservation only. There is a $25 per-hike fee, which includes sack lunch and any off-trail equipment necessary to experience the hike (beyond sturdy hiking shoes and appropriate clothing, which is your responsibility). See which upcoming Adventurer Series hikes are scheduled, and register for any of these hikes on the South Cumberland State Park's events page.
There are two ways you can choose to “Hike into History”: Our Discovery Series hikes feature family-friendly, easy-to-moderate self-guided hikes on trails in the park that take you to an intriguing array of historical locations. Our Adventurer Series offers more challenging, Ranger-led and often off-trail hikes to features you generally cannot see from the trails. Participation in Adventurer Series hikes is by reservation only. There is a $25 per-hike fee, which includes sack lunch and any off-trail equipment necessary to experience the hike (beyond sturdy hiking shoes and appropriate clothing, which is your responsibility). See which upcoming Adventurer Series hikes are scheduled, and register for any of these hikes on the South Cumberland State Park's events page.
Adventurer Series Hikes
Adventurer Series hikes are more strenuous, frequently off-trail, Ranger-led hikes to features you generally cannot see from the trails. Participation in Adventurer Series hikes is by reservation only. There is a $25 per-hike fee, which includes sack lunch and any off-trail equipment necessary to experience the hike (beyond sturdy hiking shoes and appropriate clothing, which is your responsibility). Check the South Cumberland State Park's events page to see when upcoming Adventurer Series hikes are scheduled!
Discovery Series Hikes
Discovery Series hikes are generally on-trail, self-guided hikes you can take any time. There is no charge for Discovery Series hikes.
Adventurer Series hikes are more strenuous, frequently off-trail, Ranger-led hikes to features you generally cannot see from the trails. Participation in Adventurer Series hikes is by reservation only. There is a $25 per-hike fee, which includes sack lunch and any off-trail equipment necessary to experience the hike (beyond sturdy hiking shoes and appropriate clothing, which is your responsibility). Check the South Cumberland State Park's events page to see when upcoming Adventurer Series hikes are scheduled!
Discovery Series Hikes
Discovery Series hikes are generally on-trail, self-guided hikes you can take any time. There is no charge for Discovery Series hikes.
Click on any hike topic below for a detailed description; on the [map] link to get a map to the trailhead; and for some, see photos from past hikes:
Moonshining in the South Cumberlands -- [see photos!]
Trailhead: Grundy Forest (Fiery Gizzard north end), Tracy City, TN [map]
Mining in the South Cumberlands -- [sorry, no photos]
Trailhead: Lone Rock Trail, in the Grundy Lakes area of the park, just off US 41, south of Tracy City, TN [map]
Following in the Footsteps of Governor Dunn -- [see photos!]
Trailhead: Savage Day Loop (at the Savage Ranger Station, off TN 399) Palmer, TN [map]
Natural History of the South Cumberlands -- [sorry, no photos]
Trailhead: Collins West (off 51st Avenue) Gruetli-Laager, TN [map]
Native Americans in the South Cumberlands -- [see photos!]
Trailhead: Buggytop (Carter State Natural Area, Highway 56) Sherwood, TN [map]
Railroads in the South Cumberlands -- [see photos!]
Trailhead: Savage Day Loop (at the Savage Ranger Station, off TN 399) Palmer, TN [map]
Pioneers in the South Cumberlands -- [a special living history event was held in 2016 -- see photos!]
Trailhead: Stone Door Ranger Station (follow signs from TN-56) Beersheba Springs, TN [map]
Old Growth Forests of the South Cumberlands -- [see photos!]
Trailhead: Savage Day Loop (at the Savage Ranger Station, off TN 399) Palmer, TN [map]
Want to learn more?
Take a look at this video of the Hike Into History / Cumberland Wild Panel that was presented at the Friends' Trails & Trilliums festival in 2016.
Moonshining in the South Cumberlands -- [see photos!]
Trailhead: Grundy Forest (Fiery Gizzard north end), Tracy City, TN [map]
Mining in the South Cumberlands -- [sorry, no photos]
Trailhead: Lone Rock Trail, in the Grundy Lakes area of the park, just off US 41, south of Tracy City, TN [map]
Following in the Footsteps of Governor Dunn -- [see photos!]
Trailhead: Savage Day Loop (at the Savage Ranger Station, off TN 399) Palmer, TN [map]
Natural History of the South Cumberlands -- [sorry, no photos]
Trailhead: Collins West (off 51st Avenue) Gruetli-Laager, TN [map]
Native Americans in the South Cumberlands -- [see photos!]
Trailhead: Buggytop (Carter State Natural Area, Highway 56) Sherwood, TN [map]
Railroads in the South Cumberlands -- [see photos!]
Trailhead: Savage Day Loop (at the Savage Ranger Station, off TN 399) Palmer, TN [map]
Pioneers in the South Cumberlands -- [a special living history event was held in 2016 -- see photos!]
Trailhead: Stone Door Ranger Station (follow signs from TN-56) Beersheba Springs, TN [map]
Old Growth Forests of the South Cumberlands -- [see photos!]
Trailhead: Savage Day Loop (at the Savage Ranger Station, off TN 399) Palmer, TN [map]
Want to learn more?
Take a look at this video of the Hike Into History / Cumberland Wild Panel that was presented at the Friends' Trails & Trilliums festival in 2016.
Over 40 hikers joined Ranger Park Greer on the first Discovery Series hike, "Moonshining in the South Cumberlands".
