Altamont is at the heart of the South Cumberland Plateau, but it doesn’t feel like a hub—it feels like a reset button.
A getaway cabin here can be a great home base if you’d like to visit all four unique trailheads of Savage Gulf State Park, home to one of the most rugged and expansive landscapes in the region, with deep gorges, long trails, and fewer people, the farther you go. Altamont is gateway to the Firescald Creek and Big Creek areas of the park and especially convenient to Greeter Falls, which sits just at the edge of town.
The vibe here is quiet and practical. It’s not built for entertainment— it’s built for getting outside, then heading back to a cabin, a porch, or somewhere you can disconnect from online life.
History
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.
Things to do in Altamont
Mountain Mobile Massage
Individual or couple massages with optional add-on treatments in your accommodations
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 State Park's North Trailhead.
L.V. Woodlee House
A Distinguished Home for a Distinguished Gentleman
Hoover's Courthouse Cabin
Birthplace of a New County in an Untamed Land
Easy
Big Creek Gulf Overlook
Big Creek forms one of the three large canyons, locally known as "gulfs", in the Savage Gulf escarpment. The Big Creek Gulf overlook provides a nearly 270º view from adjacent rocky outcrops near mile marker 0.75 on the Greeter Trail. Access this adventure from Savage Gulf State Park, West trailhead.
Moderately Difficult
Greeter Falls
A moderate-to-challenging one-mile out-and-back trail In Savage Gulf State Park featuring 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.
Northcutt Lumber & Building Supply
One of Many Business Enterprises of Grundy County’s “First Family”
Hickory Creek Stone Arch Bridge
Two Spans, One Talented Builder
Hwy 56 Coffee, Ice Cream & Creative Eats
Coffee, ice cream & creative eats with a changing menu of specialty items
Moderate
Boardtree Falls
Boardtree Falls is actually a pair of cascade-style waterfalls on Boardtree Creek in Savage Gulf State Park, near the Alum Gap campground. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf West Trailhead.
Northcutt-Moffitt Manor
An Elegant Mansion and an Eccentric Heiress
Difficult
Big Creek Sink
Big Creek disappears into an underground cave in Savage Gulf State Park, 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.
Greeter Falls Campground
RV sites, furnished cabins & yurts and tent camping spots less than a half mile from Greeter Falls/Savage Gulf West Trailhead.
Close to Home Restaurant
Delicous down home breakfast
Lodging in Altamont
South Cumberland Getaways
SCG is the fastest growing vacation rental management company in the region.
Grandview Cabins & RV Park
Cabins and RV sites with a stocked fishing pond and trails for horses or ATVs on property.
Beersheba Springs
Beersheba Historical Society Museum
Preserving the Best of Beersheba Springs' Past
Beersheba Springs
Beersheba Springs Historic District
A Self-Guided Tour of the Beersheba Springs Historic District
Beersheba Springs
Beersheba Springs Market
Authentic rural market and convenience store
Beersheba Springs
Big Creek 3-Day Overnight Hike
This 3-day/2-night hike in Savage Gulf State Park 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
Coalmont OHV Park
New off-road park in Coalmont, offering over 1,700 acres of trails with varied wooded terrain for all vehicle types and skill levels.
Beersheba Springs
Laurel Falls
This 400-foot trail, next to the Stone Door Ranger Station in Savage Gulf State Park, leads to a picturesque waterfall. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf North Trailhead.
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 Savage Gulf State Park's North Trailhead.
Pelham
Simply Southern Cafe
Southern comfort food
Coalmont
Small Town Junction BBQ
Southern barbecue, burgers and sandwiches in the heart of the South Cumberland
Coalmont
Stinger's
Casual dining with daily and weekly specials in Coalmont
Beersheba Springs
Stone Door Overlook
This is a relatively easy 2 mile out-and-back hike at Savage Gulf State Park 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.
Pelham
Tess's Kitchen Cafe
Country food, Asian food & pizza
Pelham
The Caverns
Underground concert hall plus above-ground amphitheater that features nationally-touring acts. Cave tours also available.
Pelham
The Caverns Cave Tours
Daily cave tours at The Caverns in Pelham include one of the largest underground rooms in the world at over 3 football fields long and a behind-the-scenes tour of the music venue. Thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies can take an Adventure Cave Tour to explore deep portions of The Caverns with seasoned cave guides.
Coalmont
The Getaway on Ranger Creek
Glamping & cabins in 18 acres of forest with hiking trails and a creek