Overnight Hikes
There are many outstanding multi-day hikes at South Cumberland State Park, with a variety of overnight campgrounds available on most routes. Overnight camping is by online reservation only.
We recommend that multi-day hikers download both the Savage Gulf Topographic and Fiery Gizzard Topographic trail maps from our downloadable maps page, both of which provide in-depth trail information, along with detailed topography about each trail in the respective areas of the Park. You may also want to watch our "Hike 'em All" video, which takes you on a narrated tour of many of the Park's trails.
Because there are nearly 100 miles of hiking trails in South Cumberland State Park, there are an almost infinite number of multi-day hikes you can plan in the Park, taking advantage of multiple primary and connector trails to put together a "customized" multi-day hiking experience!
To help you in planning your multi-day adventure, below is a brief synopsis of the various overnight campgrounds in the Park, which are found in three main areas: Savage Gulf West, Savage Gulf East, and along the Fiery Gizzard Gorge. Most sites, but not all, have fire rings.
At present, there is no camping in the Denny Cove or Sherwood Forest areas.
But first, let's do a quick review of the most important park and camping regulations:
PARK REGULATIONS
CAMPING REGULATIONS
HIKER-CAMPER-CLIMBER CHECKLIST
Any violation of any park rules and regulations shall be a misdemeanor and punishable under general laws relating to misdemeanors by the authority of T.C.A. Section 11-1-108. For a complete list of all State Park Rules and Regulations, please visit http://tnstateparks.com/about/policies
We recommend that multi-day hikers download both the Savage Gulf Topographic and Fiery Gizzard Topographic trail maps from our downloadable maps page, both of which provide in-depth trail information, along with detailed topography about each trail in the respective areas of the Park. You may also want to watch our "Hike 'em All" video, which takes you on a narrated tour of many of the Park's trails.
Because there are nearly 100 miles of hiking trails in South Cumberland State Park, there are an almost infinite number of multi-day hikes you can plan in the Park, taking advantage of multiple primary and connector trails to put together a "customized" multi-day hiking experience!
To help you in planning your multi-day adventure, below is a brief synopsis of the various overnight campgrounds in the Park, which are found in three main areas: Savage Gulf West, Savage Gulf East, and along the Fiery Gizzard Gorge. Most sites, but not all, have fire rings.
At present, there is no camping in the Denny Cove or Sherwood Forest areas.
But first, let's do a quick review of the most important park and camping regulations:
PARK REGULATIONS
- Hike on designated trails only. No off trail hiking, shortcuts, or "bush whacking."
- All trails are marked with a white or blue blaze.
- Absolutely no hiking after dark.
- Do not jump from waterfalls or cliffs in any park area. Swim at your own risk.
- Pets must always be leashed and under control.
- Horses, bicycles and vehicles of all kinds are prohibited on trails and backcountry roads, except in specially designated areas.
- Destroying, digging, removing or possessing any live tree, shrub or plant is prohibited.
- Hunting, killing, wounding, harassing, or capture of any wildlife is prohibited.
CAMPING REGULATIONS
- Camping is by reservation only. Reserve at: tnstateparks.itinio.com/south-cumberland
- Check-in time for camping is 12:00 pm (Central); check-out time is 10:00 am (Central).
- Your camping receipt or name associated with reservation MUST be placed in the dash of each vehicle that is parked overnight.
- Camp only in designated campgrounds.
- The gathering of firewood is limited to dead materials on the ground. Fires are permitted in established fire rings only. Don’t move fire rings, burn trash, or leave a fire unattended.
- Quiet Hours in all campgrounds are between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am.
HIKER-CAMPER-CLIMBER CHECKLIST
- Weather-appropriate clothing?
- Sturdy, activity-appropriate shoes?
- Plenty of water & high-energy snacks?
- Basic First Aid kit?
- Know how long your hike/climb will take?
- Know today’s sunset time? sunrise-sunset.org/us/monteagle-tn
- Know today’s weather forecast? www.weather.gov
- Campsite reserved? tnstateparks.itinio.com/south-cumberland
- Registered to climb? stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/rock_climbing
Any violation of any park rules and regulations shall be a misdemeanor and punishable under general laws relating to misdemeanors by the authority of T.C.A. Section 11-1-108. For a complete list of all State Park Rules and Regulations, please visit http://tnstateparks.com/about/policies
Savage Gulf West
Alum Gap Campground (near the intersection of the Big Creek Gulf, Big Creek Rim and Laurel trails, above Big Creek Gulf)
10 primitive sites plus 1 group campsite. Entering from the Stone Door parking lot; campground is 2.9 miles via the Laurel trail or 4.0 miles via the Stone Door and Big Creek Rim trails. There is a seasonal stream nearby. Water may not be available during dry conditions. THERE IS NO OVERNIGHT PARKING AT THE GREETER FALLS PARKING AREA.
Stone Door Campground (adjacent to the Stone Door Ranger Station and parking area)
14 primitive sites plus 3 group campsites. Walk-in only. Campground can be accessed from the Stone Door overnight parking lot. Potable water is available from a spigot in the campground.
Sawmill Campground (near jct. of the Connector and Collins Gulf Trails, at confluence of Savage Gulf's three main "gulfs", or canyons)
8 primitive sites. Entering from the Stone Door parking lot, campground is 5.0 miles via the Stone Door, Big Creek Gulf, and Connector trails. Entering from the Collins West parking lot, campground is 4.2 miles via the Collins Gulf trail. Water is available from Schwoon Spring.
Savage Gulf East
Hobbs Cabin (on the North Rim trail, just south of jct. with Connector and North Plateau Trails, near Savage Creek Gulf)
8 small primitive sites plus cabin. Hobbs Cabin itself is a primitive shelter, with six (6) wood bunks. Maximum occupancy is six people. Features a wood fireplace and fire ring. Tent area is not available. Tent and hammock camping around the Hobbs Cabin is prohibited. Spring is located approximately 50 yards south of Hobbs Cabin. Spring is located approximately 50 yards south of Hobbs cabin. Spring water may not be available during dry conditions. Shortest distance from Savage Gulf Ranger Station is 8.5 miles.
Dinky Line Campground (on the North Plateau trail, just south of intersection with the Mountain Oak trail, near Savage Creek Gulf)
4 primitive sites. No spring at this campground. Shortest Distance from Savage Gulf Ranger Station is 3.6 miles.
Collins West Campground (on the Collins Rim trail, near jct. with the Collins Gulf trail, above Collins River Gulf)
5 primitive sites. Spring at foot bridge south of campground. Site is .5 miles from Collins West trail head and parking.
Stagecoach Road Campground (on the South Rim trail, near jct. with the Stagecoach Road Historic Trail, near Savage Creek Gulf)
10 primitive sites. Spring located along South Rim trail, approximately 100 yards west of campground. Spring water may not be available during dry conditions. Shortest distance from Savage Gulf Ranger Station is 6 miles.
Savage Falls Campground (on the South Rim trail, near jct. with Savage Day Loop trail, near Savage Creek Gulf)
8 primitive sites. Shortest Distance from Savage Gulf Ranger Station is 1.8 miles.
Savage Ranger Station Campground (on the Savage Day Loop trail, adjacent to the Savage Ranger Station and parking area)
8 primitive sites. Walk-in only. Potable water is available at campground entrance.
Fiery Gizzard Area
Foster Falls Campground (just west of US 41, 4 miles south of Tracy City)
26 gravel parking pad sites plus 1 handicapped-accessible gravel parking pad site. Auto-accessible campground with both back-in and pull-through sites available.
Father Adamz Campground (on the Fiery Gizzard Trail, 1/2 mile from the Foster Falls parking lot)
9 primitive sites. Campground is a 0.4 mile hike from parking lot. Water is available in parking lot. Campers must arrive in their site by dark.
Small Wild Campground (on the Fiery Gizzard Trail, 2-1/2 miles from the Foster Falls parking lot)
6 primitive sites. Campground is a 2.5 mile hike from the Foster Falls parking lot. Campers must arrive in their site by dark.
CCC Campground (on the Grundy Day Loop trail, 3/4 mile from the Grundy Forest parking lot)
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - OPENING SUMMER 2019. Campground is a 3/4-mile hike from parking lot. Water is available in parking lot. Campers must arrive in their site by dark.
Alum Gap Campground (near the intersection of the Big Creek Gulf, Big Creek Rim and Laurel trails, above Big Creek Gulf)
10 primitive sites plus 1 group campsite. Entering from the Stone Door parking lot; campground is 2.9 miles via the Laurel trail or 4.0 miles via the Stone Door and Big Creek Rim trails. There is a seasonal stream nearby. Water may not be available during dry conditions. THERE IS NO OVERNIGHT PARKING AT THE GREETER FALLS PARKING AREA.
Stone Door Campground (adjacent to the Stone Door Ranger Station and parking area)
14 primitive sites plus 3 group campsites. Walk-in only. Campground can be accessed from the Stone Door overnight parking lot. Potable water is available from a spigot in the campground.
Sawmill Campground (near jct. of the Connector and Collins Gulf Trails, at confluence of Savage Gulf's three main "gulfs", or canyons)
8 primitive sites. Entering from the Stone Door parking lot, campground is 5.0 miles via the Stone Door, Big Creek Gulf, and Connector trails. Entering from the Collins West parking lot, campground is 4.2 miles via the Collins Gulf trail. Water is available from Schwoon Spring.
Savage Gulf East
Hobbs Cabin (on the North Rim trail, just south of jct. with Connector and North Plateau Trails, near Savage Creek Gulf)
8 small primitive sites plus cabin. Hobbs Cabin itself is a primitive shelter, with six (6) wood bunks. Maximum occupancy is six people. Features a wood fireplace and fire ring. Tent area is not available. Tent and hammock camping around the Hobbs Cabin is prohibited. Spring is located approximately 50 yards south of Hobbs Cabin. Spring is located approximately 50 yards south of Hobbs cabin. Spring water may not be available during dry conditions. Shortest distance from Savage Gulf Ranger Station is 8.5 miles.
Dinky Line Campground (on the North Plateau trail, just south of intersection with the Mountain Oak trail, near Savage Creek Gulf)
4 primitive sites. No spring at this campground. Shortest Distance from Savage Gulf Ranger Station is 3.6 miles.
Collins West Campground (on the Collins Rim trail, near jct. with the Collins Gulf trail, above Collins River Gulf)
5 primitive sites. Spring at foot bridge south of campground. Site is .5 miles from Collins West trail head and parking.
Stagecoach Road Campground (on the South Rim trail, near jct. with the Stagecoach Road Historic Trail, near Savage Creek Gulf)
10 primitive sites. Spring located along South Rim trail, approximately 100 yards west of campground. Spring water may not be available during dry conditions. Shortest distance from Savage Gulf Ranger Station is 6 miles.
Savage Falls Campground (on the South Rim trail, near jct. with Savage Day Loop trail, near Savage Creek Gulf)
8 primitive sites. Shortest Distance from Savage Gulf Ranger Station is 1.8 miles.
Savage Ranger Station Campground (on the Savage Day Loop trail, adjacent to the Savage Ranger Station and parking area)
8 primitive sites. Walk-in only. Potable water is available at campground entrance.
Fiery Gizzard Area
Foster Falls Campground (just west of US 41, 4 miles south of Tracy City)
26 gravel parking pad sites plus 1 handicapped-accessible gravel parking pad site. Auto-accessible campground with both back-in and pull-through sites available.
Father Adamz Campground (on the Fiery Gizzard Trail, 1/2 mile from the Foster Falls parking lot)
9 primitive sites. Campground is a 0.4 mile hike from parking lot. Water is available in parking lot. Campers must arrive in their site by dark.
Small Wild Campground (on the Fiery Gizzard Trail, 2-1/2 miles from the Foster Falls parking lot)
6 primitive sites. Campground is a 2.5 mile hike from the Foster Falls parking lot. Campers must arrive in their site by dark.
CCC Campground (on the Grundy Day Loop trail, 3/4 mile from the Grundy Forest parking lot)
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - OPENING SUMMER 2019. Campground is a 3/4-mile hike from parking lot. Water is available in parking lot. Campers must arrive in their site by dark.
