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Altamont is the gateway to the Firescald Creek and Big Creek areas of Savage Gulf State Park. From the Savage Gulf West trailhead, you can reach Greeter Falls, the site of the historic Long’s Mill, the Greeter Homestead and the Alum Gap Campground.


Altamont was established in 1848 as the Grundy County seat thanks to the efforts of Gen. Adrian Northcutt, a local farmer who served for ten years in the Tennessee legislature. The first county courthouse was in Northcutt’s original home, a small log cabin. It was in this cabin that Northcutt and several other men signed Grundy County into being in 1844.

Early stagecoach roads, connecting the area to Beersheba Springs and what would later become Tracy City, were constructed as far back as 1833. The Firescald Creek Stone Arch Bridge, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located on Northcutt’s Cove Road, off Highway 56, just north of town.

Much earlier, the Chickamauga Trace, an ancient Native American trade trail, also traversed this part of the Cumberland Plateau. Portions of the Trace can be seen alongside the hiking trail to Greeter Falls.

Altamont’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was built with mountain stone in 1946 by Lewis Fults. It served the congregation until a new ward was built in the 1980s.

Altamont
South Cumberland Getaways
South Cumberland Getaways

Rental agency offering a lodge and a variety of cabins, tiny homes, glamping and hostel options

Stone's Mountain View
Stone's Mountain View

3BR/2BA home with 200 private acres overlooking the bluff below

Grandview Cabins & RV Park
Grandview Cabins & RV Park

Cabins and RV sites with a stocked fishing pond and trails for horses or ATVs on property.

Greeter Falls Lodge & Cabins
Greeter Falls Lodge & Cabins

5 lodge suites plus 2 individual cabins with shared common living, kitchen and dining areas.

Big Creek Sink

Difficult

Big Creek Sink

Big Creek disappears into an underground cave at this location, only to emerge further downstream. There's a steep descent/return ascent into/out of Big Creek Gulf. Otherwise, it's a moderate-to-easy hike. Access this adventure from either the Savage Gulf North or Savage Gulf East trailheads.

Boardtree Falls

Moderate

Boardtree Falls

Boardtree Falls is actually a pair of cascade-style waterfalls on Boardtree Creek, near the Alum Gap campground. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf West Trailhead.

Close to Home Restaurant

Close to Home Restaurant

Delicous down home breakfast

Greeter Falls

Moderately Difficult

Greeter Falls

A moderate-to-challenging one-mile out-and-back trail with a spiral staircase, taking you to Greeter Falls. Also check out the (easier) spur trail to the Blue Hole swimming area, as well as some smaller waterfalls and historic sites. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf West Trailhead.

Hickory Creek Stone Arch Bridge

Hickory Creek Stone Arch Bridge

Two Spans, One Talented Builder

Hoover's Courthouse Cabin

Hoover's Courthouse Cabin

Birthplace of a New County in an Untamed Land

Hwy 56 Coffee, Ice Cream & Creative Eats

Hwy 56 Coffee, Ice Cream & Creative Eats

Coffee, ice cream & creative eats with a changing menu of specialty items

L.V. Woodlee House

L.V. Woodlee House

A Distinguished Home for a Distinguished Gentleman

Mountain Mobile Massage

Mountain Mobile Massage

Individual or couple massages with optional add-on treatments in your accommodations

Northcutt Lumber & Building Supply

Northcutt Lumber & Building Supply

One of Many Business Enterprises of Grundy County’s “First Family”

Northcutt-Moffitt Manor

Northcutt-Moffitt Manor

An Elegant Mansion and an Eccentric Heiress

Ranger Falls

Difficult

Ranger Falls

Ranger Falls has no visible outflow; under normal flow, 100% of its water flows into an underground cave. Access this unusual adventure from the Savage Gulf West or Savage Gulf North trailheads.

Things to do in Altamont

Lodging in Altamont

Altamont
Altamont
Beersheba Historical Society Museum

Beersheba Springs

Beersheba Historical Society Museum

Preserving the Best of Beersheba Springs' Past

Beersheba Porcelain

Beersheba Springs

Beersheba Porcelain

Handmade porcelain pottery and wearable art jewelry

Beersheba Springs Historic District

Beersheba Springs

Beersheba Springs Historic District

A Self-Guided Tour of the Beersheba Springs Historic District

Beersheba Springs Market

Beersheba Springs

Beersheba Springs Market

Authentic rural market and convenience store

Big Creek 3-Day Overnight Hike

Beersheba Springs

Big Creek 3-Day Overnight Hike

This 3-day/2-night hike is especially beautiful during fall colors or spring wildflower season. The climbs down into the Gulf and back out again can be challenging. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf North Trailhead.

Coalmont OHV Park

Coalmont

Coalmont OHV Park

New off-road park offering over 1,300 acres of trails with varied wooded terrain for all vehicle types and skill levels.

Laurel Falls

Beersheba Springs

Laurel Falls

This 400-foot trail, next to the Stone Door Ranger Station, leads to a picturesque waterfall. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf North Trailhead.

Savage Day Loop

Beersheba Springs

Savage Day Loop

An easy 4.2 mile round-trip hike and a perfect outing to see the eastern part of Savage Gulf and Savage Falls. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf East Trailhead.

Schwoon Spring

Beersheba Springs

Schwoon Spring

This spring, named for early settler Fred Schwoon, was an important source of fresh water for the early residents of Savage Gulf. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf North Trailhead.

Simply Southern Cafe

Pelham

Simply Southern Cafe

Southern comfort food

Stone Door

Beersheba Springs

Stone Door

This is a realtively easy 2 mile out-and-back hike with a spectacular overlook and steps that descend through a 150-foot crevice at the crest of the plateau. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf North Trailhead.

Tess's Kitchen Cafe

Pelham

Tess's Kitchen Cafe

Country food, Asian food & pizza

The Caverns - Home of 'The Caverns Sessions'

Pelham

The Caverns - Home of 'The Caverns Sessions'

Underground concert hall plus above-ground amphitheater that features nationally-touring acts. Cave tours also available.

Explore nearby communities

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