Hiking

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.

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 the Savage Gulf West trailhead.

One of the most picturesque sites in the Fiery Gizzard, 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.

This pristine mountain creek waterfall is in an awe-inspiing setting, with a good swimming hole. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead.

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.

This is a moderately difficult 4-mile roundtrip hike 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.

This two-day hike 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.

Another outstanding overlook on the Sherwood Loop Trail, 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.

Guided hiking tours with transportation & professional photography included.

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 North or Fiery Gizzard South trailheads to begin this adventure!

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.

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.

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.

Five sites and one group campsite, only a half mile hike from the Fiery Gizzard North trailhead. Online reservations required at Reserve.tnstateparks.com.

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.

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.

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 North Trailhead.

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 South Trailhead. (As a bonus, you'll pass Suter Falls on your way to Horsepound Falls!)

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

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.

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 South Cumberland State Park Headquarters on US 41 in Monteagle.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

A remarkable natural sandstone arch, easily accessible via a 400-foot stair-stepped path from the parking lot. Access this adventure from the Lost Cove North Trailhead.

This is an easy 2.9 mile loop trail that includes the Sherwood Natural Bridge and several outstanding overlooks. Access this adventure from the Lost Cove East Trailhead.

This is a relatively 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.

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

This is a great summer swimming hole on Big Fiery Gizzard Creek. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead.

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.

One of two outstanding overlooks on the Sherwood Loop Trail, the Tom 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 Lost Cove East trailhead.