South Cumberland State Park Trailhead & Trail Info
This is a geographically-organized list of all public trailheads in South Cumberland State Park. For each trailhead, there is a clickable "map" link to a GoogleMap showing the trailhead parking area; you can also enter these addresses directly into any popular GPS mapping app to help find your way to your hiking destination. You may also want to download this printable set of directions to each trailhead.
The narrative directions below assume you are coming from the park's Visitor Center, on Highway 41 in Monteagle. Mileage following each trailhead name indicates driving distance from the Visitor Center. The final approaches to these locations are generally well-marked with large brown ("park-style") roadside signs; however, a few are not so well marked, or are tricky to find; for those locations, we've provided additional navigational tips.
The narrative directions below assume you are coming from the park's Visitor Center, on Highway 41 in Monteagle. Mileage following each trailhead name indicates driving distance from the Visitor Center. The final approaches to these locations are generally well-marked with large brown ("park-style") roadside signs; however, a few are not so well marked, or are tricky to find; for those locations, we've provided additional navigational tips.
Start your South Cumberland State Park Adventure at the Visitor Center!
The South Cumberland State Park Visitor Center has all the information you'll need to enjoy ALL of the park's amazing natural beauty and features.
The Visitor Center is about 50 miles northwest of Chattanooga and 85 miles southeast of Nashville, between Tracy City and Monteagle. Take Interstate 24 to Exit 134 (US Highway 41) and follow Hwy 41 about 3.5 miles to the Visitor Center, on your left. The Visitor Center is open from 8 am until 4 pm daily; closed Mondays. You can reach the Visitor Center during normal business hours at 931-924-2980.
The folks at the information desk can answer all your questions! There is also a great gift shop with plenty of South Cumberland-branded gear and clothing. In the Exhibit Hall, learn about the park's nine individual tracts, watch a video about all of the park's amazing waterfalls, and learn about the area's natural and human history through exhibits, including a full-size pioneer cabin, a great children's exhibit featuring the birds, plants and animals of the park, an interactive microscope; as well as a 3-D map of the park. Enjoy your visit to South Cumberland State Park!
The Visitor Center is about 50 miles northwest of Chattanooga and 85 miles southeast of Nashville, between Tracy City and Monteagle. Take Interstate 24 to Exit 134 (US Highway 41) and follow Hwy 41 about 3.5 miles to the Visitor Center, on your left. The Visitor Center is open from 8 am until 4 pm daily; closed Mondays. You can reach the Visitor Center during normal business hours at 931-924-2980.
The folks at the information desk can answer all your questions! There is also a great gift shop with plenty of South Cumberland-branded gear and clothing. In the Exhibit Hall, learn about the park's nine individual tracts, watch a video about all of the park's amazing waterfalls, and learn about the area's natural and human history through exhibits, including a full-size pioneer cabin, a great children's exhibit featuring the birds, plants and animals of the park, an interactive microscope; as well as a 3-D map of the park. Enjoy your visit to South Cumberland State Park!
Fiery Gizzard area
Denny Cove
(13.1 miles) [map] 5917 US 41 (TN-150), Sequatchie, TN 37374 The entrance to Denny Cove is on US 41, about 9 miles south of Tracy City and 1.5 miles south of Foster Falls, on your right, just past the large brown park sign. The entrance road is gravel, with a smaller brown park sign and bar gate, across from the Foster Falls Volunteer Fire Department. Follow the gravel road about 3/4 of a mile to the Denny Cove parking area, also on your right. Fiery Gizzard North/Grundy Forest (3.0 miles) [map] 131 Fiery Gizzard Rd., Tracy City, TN 37387 Grundy Forest is about three miles east of the park's Visitor Center. Take US Highway 41 east from the Visitor Center, about 2.5 miles. Turn right just after the large brown park sign, at 3rd Street (the street flanked by a tire store and Sequatchee Valley Electric Co-op). Follow 3rd Street past the elementary school to Marion Street, on your right. Follow Marion Street two blocks, then right onto Fiery Gizzard Road. The parking area and trailhead are on your left. Fiery Gizzard South/Foster Falls (11.3 miles) [map] 498 Foster Falls Rd. Sequatchie, TN 37374 The entrance to Foster Falls is about 7.5 miles south of Tracy City on US 41, on your right, marked with a large brown park sign. Grundy Lakes (5.0 miles) [map] 587 Lakes Road, Tracy City, TN 37387 Grundy Lakes is one-half mile south of downtown Tracy City; look for the large brown park sign and turn left on Lakes Road; from there, it's one-half mile to the park entrance. |
Sewanee-Sherwood area
Sewanee Natural Bridge
(12.0 miles) [map] 591 Natural Bridge Rd. Sewanee, TN 37376 Take US 41 west through Monteagle and Sewanee, then left on TN Hwy 56 at the large brown park sign. Follow Hwy 56 about 2 miles, then turn left at Natural Bridge Road (marked with a small brown park sign) and follow about one-half mile. The Natural Bridge parking area is on your left, just before the large stone columns which flank a private driveway. Sherwood Forest East/Sherwood Day Loop (17.6 miles) [map] 1900 Old CCC Road, Sherwood, TN 37376 NOTE: This trail is new and is still under construction, but the first section of the trail has been completed and is now open to the public. Take US Highway 41 west through Monteagle, toward Sewanee, to TN Highway 156 (Jumpoff Road), on your left. Follow Hwy 156 south about 8.5 miles and look for Old CCC Road, a dirt road, one-half mile on your right past Lake Road, which is better-marked with a brown park post and white letters. Bear right onto Old CCC Road, following it about 2 miles, through the park gate, out to its end; the parking lot and trailhead are on your right. Sherwood Forest West/Buggytop Cave (15.9 miles) [map] 6398 Sherwood Road, Sewanee, TN 37375 Take US 41 west through Monteagle and Sewanee, then left on TN Hwy 56 at the large brown park sign. Follow Hwy 56 about 6.5 miles. Unfortunately, the trailhead is not well marked; as you descend the mountain on Hwy 56, watch for a small brown "Bird Watching Area" sign on your right; the roadside parking area and trailhead are just ahead on your left. |
Savage Gulf area
Savage Gulf North/Stone Door
(23.1 miles) [map] 1183 Stone Door Rd. Beersheba Spgs 37305 Take TN Highway 56 north from Tracy City, through Altamont to Beeersheba Springs (about 20 miles). Look for the large brown park sign, then turn right on Stone Door Road. Follow Stone Door Road about 1.5 miles, out to its end at the Stone Door Ranger Station parking area. Savage Gulf South/Collins Gulf (20.0 miles) also known as "Collins West" [map] 2689 55th Ave., Gruetli-Laager, TN 37339 Take TN Highway 56 north from Tracy City, about 10 miles to TN Hwy 108, then right about 5.2 miles on 108. As you come through the community of Gruetli-Laager, watch carefully for the small brown "Collins West" signs marking the 55th Avenue intersection. Turn left on 55th Avenue, and follow it about 2.7 miles, all the way to its end; the parking area and trailhead are directly in front of you. Savage Gulf East/Savage Ranger Station (24.3 miles) [map] 3177 State Road 399, Palmer, TN 37365 Take TN Highway 56 north from Tracy City, about 10 miles to TN Hwy 108, then right about 7.2 miles on 108 to TN Hwy 399. Left on Hwy 399 about five miles; look for the large brown park sign. The park entrance will be on your left. Savage Gulf West/Greeter Falls (18.5 miles) [map] 550 Greeter Falls Rd. Altamont, TN 37301 Take TN Highway 56 north from Tracy City, through Altamont, about 15.9 miles to Greeter Falls Road (marked by a small brown park sign), on your right. Follow Greeter Falls Road about three-quarters of a mile to the parking area, on your left (trailhead is on the right). |
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Other Useful Links
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Learn more about Climbing in the park
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Learn more about Camping in the park
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