Overnight HikesThere are many outstanding multi-day hikes in both South Cumberland and Savage Gulf State Parks, with a variety of overnight campgrounds available on most routes. Overnight camping is by online reservation only. Camping is only allowed in designated campsites.
We recommend that multi-day hikers download the appropriate trail maps, which provide in-depth trail information, along with detailed information about each trail in the respective areas of the Park. You may also want to watch our "South Cumberland in a Nutshell" video, at right, which takes you on a narrated tour of many of both Parks' waterfalls, overlooks and other features. |
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Both South Cumberland and Savage Gulf State Parks have backcountry campgrounds in many areas of the parks, which are described below. You can also find information about these campgrounds, and how to reserve specific camping sites in each, on our campsite reservation system. Please visit our Camping Information page for additional camping information.
Because there are over 85 miles of hiking trails across both parks, there are an almost infinite number of multi-day hikes you can enjoy, 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 Parks, which are found in three main areas: Savage Gulf West, Savage Gulf East, and in South Cumberland State Park, along the Fiery Gizzard Gorge. Most sites, but not all, have fire rings.
At present, there is no camping in the Denny Cove or Lost Cove 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
To help you in planning your multi-day adventure, below is a brief synopsis of the various overnight campgrounds in the Parks, which are found in three main areas: Savage Gulf West, Savage Gulf East, and in South Cumberland State Park, along the Fiery Gizzard Gorge. Most sites, but not all, have fire rings.
At present, there is no camping in the Denny Cove or Lost Cove 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 via the TN State Parks online reservation system.
- 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? TN State Parks online reservation system
- 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.
South Cumberland / 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.
Grundy Forest Campground (on the Grundy Day Loop trail, 3/4 mile from the Grundy Forest parking lot)
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.
South Cumberland / 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.
Grundy Forest Campground (on the Grundy Day Loop trail, 3/4 mile from the Grundy Forest parking lot)
Campground is a 3/4-mile hike from parking lot. Water is available in parking lot. Campers must arrive in their site by dark.
Important Changes to Backcountry Campgrounds
Savage Gulf State Park
Collins East Campground at Savage Gulf
The Collins East Campground, located in Savage Gulf State Park, permanently closed in 2015 due to its location, accessibility and proximity to other areas of land that are privately owned and operated. Signage directs visitors away from this campsite to other campgrounds in the park.
South Cumberland State Park
Raven's Point Campground on the Fiery Gizzard Trail
Many guests of South Cumberland State Park are familiar with the popular Raven's Point campsite on the Fiery Gizzard trail. Many don't know that this popular campsite is actually on private land. While guests and visitors are able to continue utilizing the trail that was recently rerouted on Fiery Gizzard, the campground has been closed indefinitely due to its location on private property. It is illegal to camp at Raven's Point. Signage directs visitors away from this campsite to other campgrounds in the park. Park officials want to create awareness of the fact that the park system has no jurisdiction on private property or land not owned by the park. Visitors should also be aware that most of the trail system along the rim of the Fiery Gizzard is, and will remain, private property.
Grundy Forest Hemlock Grove Campground (replacing the old CCC Campground)
The old "CCC Campground", located in the Grundy Forest area of South Cumberland State Park, was closed when that site was converted to an interpretive area and partially restored to its original form as a camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. You can learn more about the CCC Camp Restoration Project here. A new overnight campground, the Grundy Forest Hemlock Grove Campground, was created to replace it. This campground can be accessed from the Grundy Day Loop Trail, about 1/4 mile past the entrance to the CCC Interpretive Area.
Park staff would like to kindly remind visitors to please enjoy and take care of the trail system. The staff and Friends appreciate your patience and cooperation as these changes take place. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the SCSP Park Office at 931-924-2980 or the SGSP Park Office at 931-692-3887.
Savage Gulf State Park
Collins East Campground at Savage Gulf
The Collins East Campground, located in Savage Gulf State Park, permanently closed in 2015 due to its location, accessibility and proximity to other areas of land that are privately owned and operated. Signage directs visitors away from this campsite to other campgrounds in the park.
South Cumberland State Park
Raven's Point Campground on the Fiery Gizzard Trail
Many guests of South Cumberland State Park are familiar with the popular Raven's Point campsite on the Fiery Gizzard trail. Many don't know that this popular campsite is actually on private land. While guests and visitors are able to continue utilizing the trail that was recently rerouted on Fiery Gizzard, the campground has been closed indefinitely due to its location on private property. It is illegal to camp at Raven's Point. Signage directs visitors away from this campsite to other campgrounds in the park. Park officials want to create awareness of the fact that the park system has no jurisdiction on private property or land not owned by the park. Visitors should also be aware that most of the trail system along the rim of the Fiery Gizzard is, and will remain, private property.
Grundy Forest Hemlock Grove Campground (replacing the old CCC Campground)
The old "CCC Campground", located in the Grundy Forest area of South Cumberland State Park, was closed when that site was converted to an interpretive area and partially restored to its original form as a camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. You can learn more about the CCC Camp Restoration Project here. A new overnight campground, the Grundy Forest Hemlock Grove Campground, was created to replace it. This campground can be accessed from the Grundy Day Loop Trail, about 1/4 mile past the entrance to the CCC Interpretive Area.
Park staff would like to kindly remind visitors to please enjoy and take care of the trail system. The staff and Friends appreciate your patience and cooperation as these changes take place. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the SCSP Park Office at 931-924-2980 or the SGSP Park Office at 931-692-3887.
