Rock Climbing
In Tennessee's South Cumberland, there are hundreds of world-class rock climbing routes within the climbing areas of South Cumberland and Savage Gulf State Parks. ALL ROCK CLIMBING REQUIRES ADVANCE ONLINE REGISTRATION. SEE IMPORTANT NOTES AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
Difficult
Big Creek 3-Day Overnight Hike
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.
Moderate
Denny Cove & Falls
Explore a world-class rock climbers’ paradise, 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.
Difficult
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 North or Fiery Gizzard South trailheads to begin this adventure!
Moderately Difficult
Foster Falls
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.
High Point Climbing
Fully insured and certified climbing guides at Denny Cove and Foster Falls
Just IN Time Adventures
Offering guided waterfall, hiking, cavern and various other outdoor adventure tours
Easy
Stone Door
This is a realtively 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.
Tenacity Adventure Fitness
Martial arts studio with weight training equipment and indoor climbing, trampolines and obstacle courses for kids
SOUTH CUMBERLAND STATE PARK
Foster Falls (trad and sport)
Most notable is the gorge just below Foster Falls, which includes both sport and trad routes, with some nicely overhung areas that will challenge even the experienced climber. The Foster Falls climbing area is about one mile from the Foster Falls parking area. Nearest camping is atop the bluff line, above the climbing area, at the Small Wild or Father Adamz campgrounds (see our Overnight Hikes page for more information). Car camping is available in the campground at the Foster Falls trailhead. All rock climbing requires advance online registration.
Denny Cove (trad and sport)
Denny Cove is notable for its tall and beautifully-formed cliffs, which are considered world-class by recreational rock climbers. Over 150 climbing routes are presently available to climbers; an online guidebook is available here, and a mini-guide can be downloaded here. For non-climbers, Denny Cove offers an excellent trail system, with a wonderful overlook of the Cove, and a 2-mile trail to double-drop Denny Falls, the signature natural feature of this area. All rock climbing requires advance online registration.
SAVAGE GULF STATE PARK
Stone Door (rappelling & top-rope)
At Stone Door, climbing and rappelling is only allowed in the designated climbing area. Rappelling is not allowed in any areas of the parks, except at Stone Door. All rock climbing requires advance online registration.
INSIDER TIP: If you have not climbed before and want to try out climbing, please check with one of our staff members at any park Ranger Station, or with an SCSP uniformed Ranger, as the park periodically offers introductory climbing activities under the supervision of a trained instructor.
CLIMBING PERMIT REGISTRATION
To help ensure that Tennessee State Parks continues to provide quality areas for recreational climbing, all climbers should register online or with park management prior to each time they climb in Tennessee State Parks. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email with your unique registration number, site rules, and other helpful info. Please keep the registration number with you while climbing. At some locations, you may be asked to leave a piece of paper with your registration number on your car dashboard. The permitting system will give our Rangers a better idea of how many climbers are planning to come to the park on any given day, the sizes of their climbing groups, and where they plan to climb. Please remember to register before you come to climb in the Parks! (Register here)
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
NEVER ATTEMPT CLIMBING WITHOUT PROPER SHOES, HARNESSES, ROPES AND PROTECTIVE GEAR. CLIMBING IS A DANGEROUS ACTIVITY AND SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED BY NOVICES.
Jumping from waterfalls or cliffs is prohibited in all park areas.
Both South Cumberland and Savage Gulf State Parks are ecological sanctuaries, and all features including plants and animals (living and dead), rocks, minerals, artifacts and fossils are protected by Tennessee State Law. Leave them as you find them. Violators are subject to prosecution.
As in any wilderness environment, obvious hazards exist. Visitors are reminded to exercise care, stay on marked trails and be adequately prepared for backcountry trips. Know the length and difficulty of the trail you plan to take. Be aware of local sunset times, and how long it will take to reach your destination. There is no hiking in the park after dark! Filter all stream and spring source drinking water. Use special caution when approaching high bluffs. Be careful with fires and help keep your state park beautiful and natural.