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South Cumberland Recreation Area

Best Hiking Trails in South Cumberland Recreation Area

44 reviews

Seasonal Popularity

Overview

South Cumberland State Park is home to some of the best outdoor recreational opportunities in the southeast. This 31,000 acre park offers some of the most outstanding hiking, backpacking, camping, rock climbing, and fishing in the region. With over 90 miles of trails, 93 campsites, and designated climbing areas, this park attracts outdoor adventurers from miles around. Waterfalls and spectacular vistas are hallmarks of South Cumberland.

Getting Started

South Cumberland is easily accessible from Interstate 24. For driving directions, click here .

When to Go

Crowds:

South Cumberland is one of the most heavily used state parks in Tennessee. This park is open year round, with spring and fall being the most visited seasons. During peak autumn foliage and spring wildflower season, the parking lots are often at capacity. The Fiery Gizzard/Foster Falls lot in particular can be at overflow status regularly.

Highlights:

The Fiery Gizzard is one of the gems of South Cumberland. This trail has been nationally recognized as one of the top 25 best hikes in the United States. Winding past a multitude of waterfalls, impressive stone formations, and amazing vistas, this trail is one for the bucket list.

The Stone Door is a naturally occurring stone staircase connecting the Big Gulf rim and valley. This 150 feet deep crevice was used for centuries by Native Americans traveling from the plateau rim into the valley.

Few parks contain as many world class waterfalls as South Cumberland. Foster Falls, Greeter Falls, Savage Falls and Sycamore Falls are just a few of the must-see water features in the park.

Facilities:

The primary ranger stations at Stone Door and Savage Gulf have restrooms with running water and covered pavilions. The Grundy Forest trail head at the north end of the Fiery Gizzard trail also has bathrooms with running water.

When to go:

Fall is the most popular time to visit South Cumberland State Park with the spectacular autumn foliage drawing the largest crowds. Spring wildflowers are also a big draw for the park. Summer and winter are the best seasons for those who want to avoid the crowds and find solitude on the trails.

Permits

There are no fees to enter South Cumberland State Park, but back country camping does require a paid permit. For information on fees or to purchase a permit online, click here

Dog Info

Pets are allowed at South Cumberland State Park, but must be on a leash at all times. For more information on pets in the Tennessee park system, visit this page .

Hiking Trails (19)
Reviews (44)

BusyBamboo2515 1 year, 6 months ago

Stone Door Primitive Campsites to Big Creek Rim Trail, Grundy County, TN, USA

Excellent overlooks, stone features, cascading mountain streams with waterfalls.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

HungryEGels6628 1 year, 10 months ago

Alum Gap Loop via Greeter Trail and Greeter Falls Loop Trail

Hike was easier going down then up. But falls was worth the trip up :)

★ ★ ★ ★

TameCaving8009 4 years, 1 month ago

Track (Savage Gulf 3 Day)

Trails are very well maintained and blazed. Camp sites are second to none. Excellent views along the north rim. Didn’t hike the blue blazes to the overlooks on the south rim, but it wouldn’t surprise me of they were in great shape. Definitely plan to hike every mile of trail in this park. FYI the Stagecoach Historic Trail is for real! Loose rock for two miles.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

David Hitchcock 5 years, 3 months ago

Savage Falls via Savage Day Loop

The hike was absolutely great.. but testing the gaia app i did a 3 miler out and back but the app showed 12. Miles. Ill test it again when i do the falls loop

★ ★ ★ ★

RichGloves2874 5 years, 4 months ago

Stone Door, Big Creek Rim & Gulf Loop

The trail begins at the Stone Door Trailhead and Ranger Station. The loop begins about a mile in at the top of Stone Door. As with any loop, you can go left or right. We went right which takes you across the ridge. Hiking on top of the ridge is very little change in gradient nice overlooks of the gulf and a stroll through the woods. After about 4 miles, you come to the junction taking you through Big Creek Gulf or to Greeter Falls - take the gulf. Here you will descend into the gulf (and you will be thankful that you are going down rather than up. The rest of the gulf hike parallels the creek until your ascent out of the gulf to Stone Door. Then a mile back to the Ranger Station. Piece of cake!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brett Bullard 6 years ago

Savage Falls Day Loop

Very easy hike. Beautiful all along the way. Trail is clear and easy to pass though. Loved the view halfway though the loop. The waterfall is pretty nice too. The Ranger station at beginning of trail has restrooms and trash cans. Plenty of parking at trailhead. Most hikers respected social distancing and were friendly. Would definitely recommend if you want an easy day hike.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

SoftGlade7843 6 years, 8 months ago

Savage Falls Loop via Savage Day Loop

I am new to TN, and decided to start closest to home and start moving out in larger circles covering the whole state. This was a beautiful hike, easy until the very end, then getting thru the boulders was the only mildly difficult part, there is plenty of parking, visitors from all over, well kept camp sites with unfiltered water and electricity at the sites. Two bathrooms close by, very clean, one shower in each.. ended the hike by swimming under the waterfall.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★