Monteagle is the gateway to the South Cumberland, with access directly from I-24 and the largest variety of restaurants and shopping.
Bisected by the interstate, it’s where most visitors first land— grabbing food, regrouping, and figuring out where to head next. While you won’t find major trailheads directly in town, it’s right between Head of the Crow State Park in Sewanee and Fiery Gizzard State Park in Tracy City.
Much of its history is intertwined with the Monteagle Assembly, one of a handful of remaining Chautauqua communities, with dozens of cottages dating back to the 1800s and an 8-week program of nature, history, culture and recreation each summer – a sort of “summer camp for families.”
History
Monteagle’s settlement history began with a 5,000-acre land grant to John Bostick in 1792. In 1855, construction began on the Mountain Goat Railroad, extending first from Cowan to Sewanee, then through what would become Monteagle, and on to Tracy City.
It was on this railroad in May 1870 that John Moffat, a Scottish born temperance leader, came to the mountain. His train stop hamlet officially became known as Moffat Station in 1871, later becoming “Mont Eagle,” and finally present- day “Monteagle” when the town was officially incorporated in 1962, as construction began on the first section of Interstate 24 in this area.
Monteagle is home to many historic sites, stories and people, including Al Capone, Andrew Lytle, the DuBose Conference Center, the Great Eagle Caper, Hamper McBee, the Highlander Folk School, Historic Highway 41–the “Dixie Highway,” Madame Chiang Kai-shek, Martin Luther King Jr., the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, Rosa Parks and the Trail of Tears.
Things to do in Monteagle
Werner Military Museum
Unique Military Equipment from a Unique Collector
Paco's Cantina
Mexican restaurant and sports bar serving tacos, beer and more
Word of Mouth Provisions
Have your vacation rental stocked for your arrival with groceries, welcome meal, charcuterie board, chilled drinks, fresh flowers, and breakfast bakery items.
Cove Creek Farm
Working farm with indoor & outdoor playgrounds and guided tours
Mountain Mobile Massage
Individual or couple massages with optional add-on treatments in your accommodations
Monteagle Sunday School Assembly
One of Nine Surviving Chautauquas
Mountain Outfitters
Outdoor equipment and apparel store with rock wall inside and permanent 50%-off outlet upstairs
May Justus Memorial Library
Local library, named for a noted author and teacher who encouraged literacy among area citizens.
Hallelujah Pottery & Full Circle Candles
Locally-crafted pottery, candles and other gifts
The Hotel, The Eagle & College Hijinks
An Epic Tale of Fire, Abduction, Guilt and Repatriation
Mooney's Market & Emporium
Located in a 1939 storefront, The Market is a Natural Foods Grocery, while the Emporium is a collection of "shops". Yarn shop, antiques, houseplants, pottery, African baskets and more.
Easy
Pack Hollow Overlook
One of two outstanding overlooks on the Sherwood Loop Trail at Head of the Crow State Park, the Pack Hollow overlook (at mile marker 0.5) has one of the longest viewing distances of any overlook in the region. The adjacent Sherwood Natural Bridge is also a great place for a photo. Access this adventure from the Pack Hollow trailhead.
Highland Bluff Studio
Subtly nerdy soy candles made with all natural soy wax, cotton wicks, and no dyes
Easy
Fiery Gizzard State Park Visitor Center
Park info, gift shop, mini-museum and trailhead for a kid-friendly "storybook trail"
Highlander Folk School
An historic site on America's journey toward a more just and inclusive society. (Closed for Restoration)
Fade Medical Spa
Medical spa services by appointment: hydrafacial, dermal filler, neuromodulators
Papa Ron's Pizza & Italian Steakhouse
Local family-owned restaurant since 1992, serving a large variety of food such as pizzas, pastas, steaks and much more.
Easy
Crow Creek Valley Overlook
Another outstanding overlook on the Sherwood Loop Trail at Head of the Crow State Park, the Crow Creek Valley overlook (near mile marker 2.5) offers views all the way into Alabama with multiple picturesque ridge lines framing the view. Access this adventure from the Lost Cove East trailhead.
Smoke House Patio Grill
Grilled & fried chicken, grilled pork chops, pulled BBQ, burgers, sandwiches, salads, vegetables, fried pies, cold beer with live music Friday & Saturday nights, plus open mic on Sunday from noon to 4pm.
Amish Hippie
One of the quirkiest vintage shops in Tennessee, with clothing, jewelry, accessories, gifts, nostalgic souvenirs, vintage posters & stickers, tobacco accessories, t-shirts, Amish soap and baskets.
Music on the Mountain at The Smoke House Patio Grill
Features some of the best artists and songwriters from Nashville every Friday night from 6:30 to 9:30 and every Saturday night from 4:30 to 9:30. Also serving hot food and cold beer, with indoor and outdoor seating options.
Easy
Storybook Meadow Trail
This is a 1-mile easy, round trip walk through a meadow with storyboards from a children's book and a forest playground made of logs and ropes -- a great way to introduce the little ones to the joys of hiking! Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard State Park Headquarters on US 41 in Monteagle.
Oakes & Oliver's Modern Mercantile
Cool vintage items, unique home decor and local handcrafted goods
Easy
Mountain Goat Trail
A real-life version of “The Little Engine that Could”, and now a great paved trail running from Sewanee to Tracy City and beyond.
Wrenn's Nest
A place to escape summer heat and yellow fever
The Depot Cafe
Home cooked Southern food, including burgers, Philly cheese steaks & desserts
High Point Restaurant
Built inside a 1929 mansion that presumably once was financed by Al Capone, High Point serves a menu of traditional gourmet dishes including Brie en Croute, Blackened Salmon Oscar and Black Thai Duck.
Mountain Top Restaurant
Bringing innovative techniques and recipes from across the globe to create an exceptional culinary experience. Open Mon-Fri for lunch, Saturday for brunch and Thur-Sat for dinner.
ECO E-bikes
E-bike rental, sales & repair right on the Mountain Goat Trail
The Mabee Homeplace
A Storied Home with Connections to Al Capone
Mountain Goat Market
Killer eats, eclectic finds
The Whimsy Willow
Clothing, gifts and home goods boutique with a little something for everyone
Lodging in Monteagle
South Cumberland Concierge
Exclusive, luxury vacation homes in Monteagle and Sewanee
Reverie Vacation Rentals
Licensed vacation rental management company offering 5-star stays in the South Cumberland and surrounding areas.
Terralodge
Luxury domes and treehouses in a wooded setting
South Cumberland Getaways
SCG is the fastest growing vacation rental management company in the region.
Smoke House Lodge & Cabins
Rustic lodge and cabins conveniently located in Monteagle, and its Patio Grill Restaurant is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with live music every day
The Edgeworth Inn
Historic bed & breakfast located within the historic Monteagle Assembly
Retreat Vacations by Oakstone
This new luxury, tiny home mountain community offers over 50 vacation homes. Includes 1/2/3 bedrooms, fire pits, hiking trails, playground, biking, canoe/kayak rentals, hot tubs & gathering areas.
Trailhead Cabins
Four cabins located near the South Cumberland Welcome Center
Monteagle Inn
A charming bed & breakfast with 13 rooms, a cottage, and a conference room located conveniently in downtown Monteagle.
Sewanee
Abbo's Alley
An easy-to-walk and carefully tended ravine garden at the University of the South in Sewanee.
Tracy City
Bigfoot Adventure Zipline & Disc Golf
RV park and campground with ziplining, disc golf and clay shooting
Tracy City
Birds & Clays at Baggenstoss Farms
Full-service 500-acre hunting destination, featuring bird hunting, clay shooting and specialty hunts.
Tracy City
Black Canyon Cascade
One of the most picturesque sites in the Fiery Gizzard State Park, Black Canyon is technically a cascade, not a waterfall, but still an amazing sight, as two creeks come together and are squeezed through a narrow rock opening. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard North trailhead.
Sewanee
Blue Chair Tavern
Appalachian flavors and New Orleans soul, low & slow.
Tracy City
Blue Hole Falls
This pristine mountain creek waterfall is in an awe-inspiing setting in Fiery Gizzard State Park, with a good swimming hole. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead.
Sewanee
Bodyworks Youniversity & Mountain Massage
Pilates mat classes, private and duet sessions as well as yoga and YouFit cardio/weight training classes
Sewanee
Bridal Veil Falls Loop
2.7-mile out-and-back hike on the University of the South "domain", starting from Lake Cheston out to Bridal Veil Falls, which disappears into an underground stream. Not recommended during dry months.
Sewanee
Buggytop Cave
This is a moderately difficult 4-mile roundtrip hike at Head of the Crow State Park takes you to one of the largest cave openings in Tennessee, and the only one from which water normally flows. There are two steep ascent/descent areas; one at each end of this trail. Access this adventure from the Lost Cove West Trailhead.
Sewanee
Caldwell Rim Loop
Moderate 2.7-mile hike at the University of the South, from the Sewanee Visitor Center. It leads to a wooded loop featuring views of Lost Cove
Tracy City
Christ Church Episcopal
From a humble start in a woodshed, an enduring legacy
Tracy City
Dari-Delight
Pizza, burgers, sundaes & more
Tracy City
Denny Cove & Falls
Explore a world-class rock climbers’ paradise in Fiery Gizzard State Park, with a double-cascade waterfall and nearly 500 climbing routes with grades ranging from 5.8 to 5.14. Access this adventure from the Denny Cove Trailhead.
Tracy City
Dutch Maid Bakery
The oldest family-owned bakery in Tennessee
Tracy City
E.L. Hampton House
From Railroad Ticket Agent to Coal Company President
Tracy City
El Maguey Mexican Restaurant
Authentic Mexican cuisine
Tracy City
Fiery Gizzard Trail, a 2-day Adventure
Ranked as one of the top 25 backpacking trails in the United States by Backpacker magazine, "The Gizz" features cascading streams, numerous waterfalls, panoramic overlooks, extremely rocky gorges, gentle slopes and lush woodlands. Use either the Fiery Gizzard State Park's North or South trailheads to begin this adventure!
Sewanee
Fine Arts at the Mountain
Full line musical instrument store and music school
Tracy City
Foster Falls
In Fiery Gizzard State Park, at the southern end of the Fiery GizzardTrail, is Foster Falls, a 60-foot waterfall, the tallest in the parks, with a swimming hole at its base. There is an easy quarter-mile hike to observe the falls from above; and a much more strenuous two-mile hike (round trip) to clamber to the bottom of the falls on a rocky trail. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard South Trailhead.
Tracy City
Frank White House
An Eclectic Home with a “Do It Yourself” Owner
Sewanee
Green's View Grill
Burgers, hot dogs & gourmet salads adjacent to golf pro shop
Sewanee
Green's View Overlook
A scenic overlook at the University of the South in Sewanee, Green’s View is a favorite spot for picnics and sunset views. Access this adventure from University Avenue via Green’s View Road.
Tracy City
Grundy County Historical Society Museum
The Definitive Historical Resource for the South Cumberland Region
Tracy City
Grundy Forest Loop/CCC Camp
In Fiery Gizzard State Park, you'll discover a moderate 3-mile trek with swimming holes, history, geology, giant hemlocks and cascading streams with an optional 1/3-mile walk through the site of a 1930s CCC camp. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead.