The Savage Gulf Area
The Savage Gulf area of Tennessee’s South Cumberland includes the communities of Altamont, Beersheba Springs, Gruetli-Laager, Palmer and Coalmont. The area is named after the Savage family, one of the earliest European settlers of this area.
Savage Gulf State Park is best known for its three dramatic waterfalls, Greeter Falls, Suter Falls and Savage Falls, as well as numerous dramatic overlooks such as the Great Stone Door. Savage Gulf State Park has four trailheads, each providing access to one of these highlights.
There’s much more to see in the communities surrounding the state park:
Beersheba Springs, located along the Chickamauga Trace — a major trade and travel route for Native Americans — has an excellent historic district with a walking tour of the many Victorian-era homes built by wealthy Southerners both before and after the Civil War. The Beersheba Springs Inn was the centerpiece of this very popular 19th-Century resort for wealthy Southerners. Savage Gulf North Trailhead, which features the Great Stone Door and its overlook, is located here. Beersheba Springs is approximately 23 miles east of I-24 via Tennessee Routes 50 and 56.
Altamont is just six miles southwest of Beersheba Springs at the junction of Tennessee Routes 50 and 56. Savage Gulf West Trailhead, which features Greeter Falls, is located here. Altamont has several historic homes, including a log cabin thought to have served as the first county courthouse for Grundy County in the 1840s.
Coalmont, located between Altamont and Tracy City on Tennessee Route 56, has a rich coal mining history. Today, Coalmont is home to the Coalmont OHV Park, an off-road vehicle playground with 1,700 acres of OHV trails across varied, wooded terrain for all vehicle types and skill levels.
Gruetli-Laager, 5 miles east of Coalmont, was originally a colony for Swiss settlers looking for a better life in America. Today, the Stoker-Stampfli Farm & Museum provides a glimpse into their journey, and the challenges they faced once they arrived. Suter Falls, named for one of the Swiss pioneer families, is one of the many features you’ll find from Savage Gulf South Trailhead.
Palmer, 5 more miles to the southeast, is a former coal-mining town and now home to the Grundy County Coal Miners Museum. Savage Falls and some of the longer hiking trails in the State Park can be accessed from the Savage Gulf East Trailhead.
Communities
Altamont
Gateway to the Firescald Creek area of Savage Gulf State Park, including Greeter Falls, the site of the historic Long’s Mill, the Greeter Homestead and the Alum Gap Campground.
Beersheba Springs
Originally a resort town in the mid-1800s, it's now home to a retreat center and gateway to the Big Creek area of Savage Gulf State Park.
Coalmont
A coal mining community that is now home to a 1,300-acre off-highway vehicle park and Big Creek Lake, a popular place to fish and paddle.
Gruetli-Laager
An early home to Swiss immigrants with interesting heritage sites and the gateway to the Collins Gulf area of Savage Gulf State Park.
Palmer
Near the Savage Gulf East trailhead in Savage Gulf State Park and many overlooks of the 500-acre Werner Old Growth Forest — one of the few areas in the Southeast that were never timbered.
Highlights
Savage Gulf State Park
19,000+ acres of Tennessee’s most scenic wilderness, with 60 miles of trails to remarkable waterfalls and vistas, like the Great Stone Door, a huge crack in the bluff, into which you can descend!
Coalmont OHV Park
Over 1,700 acres of off-road trails, offering diverse wooded terrain suitable for all types of vehicles and skill levels. Camping and RV sites with full hookups are also available on site.
Places to Stay
Beersheba Springs
Tree Lofts
Luxurious modern loft cabins overlooking the bluff in Beersheba Springs
Altamont
Grandview Cabins & RV Park
Cabins and RV sites with a stocked fishing pond and trails for horses or ATVs on property.
Gruetli-Laager
Collins Campground
The Collins Campground is only a half mile hike from the Savage Gulf South trailhead, and is the gateway to the awe-inspiring Collins River Rim and Gulf Trails. Online reservations required at Reserve.tnstateparks.com.
Altamont
Greeter Falls Campground
RV sites, furnished cabins & yurts and tent camping spots less than a half mile from Greeter Falls/Savage Gulf West Trailhead.
Coalmont
The Getaway on Ranger Creek
Glamping & cabins in 18 acres of forest with hiking trails and a creek
Altamont, Monteagle, Tracy City, Coalmont, Beersheba Springs
South Cumberland Getaways
SCG is the fastest growing vacation rental management company in the region.
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Gruetli-Laager
Badlands Horse Camp
Bring your own horse and enjoy access to over 22,000 acres of trails. Camping hookups available.
Beersheba Springs
Beersheba Springs Assembly Lodging
Historic retreat center also offers accommodations for individual families
Places to Eat
Coalmont
Stinger's
Casual dining with daily and weekly specials in Coalmont
Altamont
Hwy 56 Coffee, Ice Cream & Creative Eats
Coffee, ice cream & creative eats with a changing menu of specialty items
Gruetli-Laager
Brown's Dairy Bar
Ice cream, shakes, plate lunches & burgers
Altamont
Altamont Cafe and Arcade
Delicous down home breakfast
Palmer
The Southern Oven
Family owned restaurant with fresh burgers, daily specials and good ol' country cooking and sweet tea
Beersheba Springs
Beersheba Springs Market
Authentic rural market and convenience store
Altamont
The Firescald
Premium steaks and cast iron favorites in a unique, upscale setting
Coalmont
Small Town Junction BBQ
Southern barbecue, burgers and sandwiches in the heart of the South Cumberland
Palmer
Palmer Market
Gas station, grocery store & restaurant
More to Explore
Coalmont
Outdoor Adventures
Miracle on the Mountain Outside Play Park
Tennesee's largest inclusive playground and splash pad allows all children to play together as one regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
Altamont
Outdoor Adventures
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.
Altamont
Outdoor Adventures
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.
Beersheba Springs
Outdoor Adventures
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
Outdoor Adventures
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.
Gruetli-Laager
Outdoor Adventures
Horsepound Falls
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!)
Altamont
History
Hickory Creek Stone Arch Bridge
Two Spans, One Talented Builder
Palmer
History
Grundy County Miner's Museum
Telling the Story of Mining in Grundy County
Beersheba Springs
History
Beersheba Historical Society Museum
Preserving the Best of Beersheba Springs' Past
Altamont
History
Northcutt-Moffitt Manor
An Elegant Mansion and an Eccentric Heiress
Altamont
History
Hoover's Courthouse Cabin
Birthplace of a New County in an Untamed Land
Altamont
History
L.V. Woodlee House
A Distinguished Home for a Distinguished Gentleman
Beersheba Springs
History
Beersheba Springs Historic District
A Self-Guided Tour of the Beersheba Springs Historic District
Gruetli-Laager
Outdoor Adventures
Suter Falls
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.
Beersheba Springs
Outdoor Adventures
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.
Palmer
Outdoor Adventures
Savage Falls/Savage Day Loop
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.
Gruetli-Laager
History
Stoker-Stampfli Farm & Museum
Leaving Switzerland for a Better Life
Palmer
Outdoor Adventures
Savage Creek 4-Day Overnight Hike
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.
Beersheba Springs
Outdoor Adventures
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.
Gruetli-Laager
Outdoor Adventures
Collins Gulf 2-Day Overnight Hike
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.
Altamont
Outdoor Adventures
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.
Coalmont
Outdoor Adventures
Coalmont OHV Park
Off-road Vehicle park in Coalmont, offering over 1,700 acres of trails with varied wooded terrain for all vehicle types and skill levels.