Outdoor Adventures

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.

E-bike rental, sales & repair right on the Mountain Goat Trail

This is the first named waterfall of Fiery Gizzard Creek, on its way into Fiery Gizzard Gorge, along the Grundy Forest loop trail. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard State Park's North Trailhead.

Offering guided waterfall, hiking, cavern and various other outdoor adventure tours

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.

In Fiery Gizzard State Park, there's a recreational lake with swimming and picnicking facilities at the site of the historic Lone Rock Coke Ovens, where locally-mined coal was converted to coal coke by convict labor. An easy 2.3-mile hike encircles the lakes; some of it using a low-traffic paved road. Access this adventure from the Grundy Lakes Trailhead, which is also the parking area for the swimming and picnicking facilities.

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.

Guided hiking tours with transportation & professional photography included.

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.

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.

A moderate 2-mile out-and-back hike at the University of the South, from the Sewanee Village to Memorial Cross, with a dramatic overlook of Cowan, below.

This is an easy 2.9 mile loop trail at Head of the Crow State Park that includes the Sherwood Natural Bridge and several outstanding overlooks. The new Pack Hollow trail is a spur off the Sherwood Loop Trail. Access both of these adventures from the Pack Hollow Trailhead.

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.

Off-road Vehicle park in Coalmont, offering over 1,700 acres of trails with varied wooded terrain for all vehicle types and skill levels.

Here's a challenging 3 mile out-and-back viewing of Suter Falls, rock shelters, and high bluffs. Access this adventure from Savage Gulf State Park's South Trailhead.

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.

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.

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.

A remarkable natural sandstone arch, easily accessible via a 400-foot stair-stepped path from the parking lot. Access this adventure from the Head of the Crow State Park's Natural Bridge Trailhead.

A full service bicycle shop offering sales, service, and rentals of bicycles and electric bicycles. Woody's is an authorized Trek and Electra dealer and is a great resource for local trails, routes, and amenities

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.

This small waterfall has the remains of a moonshiners' still at its base -- an easy quarter-mile walk from the Fiery Gizzard State Park's North Trailhead, if you bear left at the first trail intersection, about 100 feet from the trailhead kiosk.

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.

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.

Park info, gift shop, mini-museum and trailhead for a kid-friendly "storybook trail"

This two-day hike in Savage Gulf State Park features eye-popping springtime wildflowers, amazing waterfalls, disappearing streams and majestic overlooks. There are steep descents/return ascents into/out of Collins Gulf. Otherwise, it's a moderate hike. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf South Trailhead.

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.

More than 13 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails on the campus of St. Andrew's-Sewanee School that are open to the public year-round.

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.

6-mile out-and-back hike or mountain bike ride starting on the paved Mountain Goat Trail, continuing on a dirt trail to Lake Dimmick, all at the University of the South.

This is a great summer swimming hole on Big Fiery Gizzard Creek. Access this adventure from Fiery Gizzard State Park's North Trailhead.

This easy half-mile trail at the University of the South circumnavigates Lake Cheston, a popular swimming area for the University.

2-mile out-and-back hike from the University of the South's Western Gates to a beautiful overlook of Shakerag Hollow

This scenic and historic overlook at the University of the South in Sewanee is also a favorite spot for sunsets. Access this adventure from University Avenue via Tennessee Avenue.

Fully insured and certified climbing guides at Denny Cove and Foster Falls

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.

RV park and campground with ziplining, disc golf and clay shooting

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.

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!

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.

A third scenic overlook at the University of the South in Sewanee, Morgan’s Steep is also a favorite spot for picnics. Access this adventure by parking at Lake Cheston and hiking 3/4 mile each way to/from Morgan's Steep.

Martial arts studio with weight training equipment and indoor climbing, trampolines and obstacle courses for kids

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

Tennesee's largest inclusive playground and splash pad allows all children to play together as one regardless of their abilities or disabilities.

Working farm with indoor & outdoor playgrounds and guided tours

An easy-to-walk and carefully tended ravine garden at the University of the South in Sewanee.

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.

A real-life version of “The Little Engine that Could”, and now a great paved trail running from Sewanee to Tracy City and beyond.

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.

One of the University of the South's most popular hikes - especially when wildflowers are blooming in the spring. Descend into Shakerag Hollow, climb stone stairs up to Green's View.

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.

Park with historic marker, picnic pavilion and playground

This recently renovated golf course, featuring gorgeous bluff views, is open for play at the University of the South.

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

Full-service 500-acre hunting destination, featuring bird hunting, clay shooting and specialty hunts.

Visit the waterfall said to be named for the place where Confederate forces hid their horses during the Civil War. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf State Park's South Trailhead. (As a bonus, you'll pass Suter Falls on your way to Horsepound Falls!)

This 4-day hike takes you into the “wildest” part of Savage Gulf State Park — some of the most beautiful wilderness in the region. Access this adventure from the Savage Gulf East Trailhead.

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.