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Savage Gulf State Park

Savage Gulf State Park, located in Grundy and Sequatchie counties, features one of Tennessee’s most scenic wilderness areas, including the nearly 19,000-acre Savage Gulf State Natural Area. The park offers approximately 60 miles of hiking to remarkable vistas, waterfalls, and historical locations such as the Stagecoach Road. The Great Stone Door is an impressive cliff line overlooking the Savage Gulf. It gets its name from a crack in the cliff that runs from the top to the bottom, resembling a door left slightly ajar. This is one of the many ways to access the gulf below. Many of the trails are perfect for wildflower hunts as the hiker traverses the different environs of the top of the plateau and the deep gulfs. 


The park includes land formerly managed as part of South Cumberland State Park. The Tennessee General Assembly provided $30,380,000 for future improvements, including a visitors center, RV campground, and infrastructure to support these new facilities. For now, current access points into the park remain as is. 


Savage Gulf has nine backcountry campgrounds (Hobbs, Dinky Line, Savage Falls, Stagecoach Road, Collin West, Savage Station, Alum Gap, Sawmill, and Stone Door) that can be reserved online. 


The park has four trailhead parking lots. The Savage Gulf North parking area offers restroom facilities, a ranger station, a picnic area, and a picnic pavilion. The bluffs at Stone Door offer visitors the opportunity to 'rock climb and rappel' with seven designated routes



Click to download PDF version
Click to download PDF version

Trailheads

Savage Gulf North / Stone Door
Savage Gulf North / Stone Door

Stone Door is 2-mile out-and-back to perhaps the most iconic overlook in the South Cumberland Region.


Laurel Falls is a 0.3 mile descent from the trailhead to a waterfall.


Big Creek Gulf/Ranger Falls offers a challenging but rewarding full day, 7-mile round trip.

Savage Gulf West / Greeter Falls
Savage Gulf West / Greeter Falls

Greeter Falls Day Loop is a moderate to strenuous 1.4 mile trail that offers three waterfalls, swimming, magnificent rock formations, and a rock scramble along a high narrow ledge under the bluff.


Blue Hole Trail descends about 150 feet to Firescald Creek and the Blue Hole. It’s easy for most of the way, with some steeply rocky going at the end. 


Horsepound Falls is a difficult 2 mile out-and-back viewing Suter Falls, rock shelters, and high bluffs with a 2 mile continuation to Horsepound Falls, a unique waterfall formation with overlooks and lush wildflowers in the spring.

Savage Gulf East / Savage Ranger Station
Savage Gulf East / Savage Ranger Station

Savage Day Loop is an easy 4.2 mile round-trip hike featuring Savage Falls and the impressive rock cascades immediately above the falls.

Savage Gulf South / Collins Gulf
Savage Gulf South / Collins Gulf

Suter Falls Trail is a difficult 2 mile out-and-back viewing Suter Falls, rock shelters, and high bluffs.  If you wish to continue on, 2 miles past Suter Falls you'll come to Horsepound Falls, a unique waterfall formation with overlooks and lush wildflowers in the spring.

Activities

Camping

Camping is by registration only. See further regulations and a checklist to have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Day Hikes

Be prepared for your hike! Know when the sun will set, and make sure you bring along these essentials...

Overlooks

Many overlooks do not have protective barriers. Keep a close eye on children and be careful!

Overnight Hikes

Camping is by registration only. See further regulations and a checklist to have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Swimming

Many of our swimming areas are natural “plunge pools” at the base of waterfalls with varying depths and large rocks just beneath the surface.  NEVER jump off falls or elevated rocks into plunge pools. Exposed rocks appearing wet and “black” are extremely slick with algae. Avoid them!

Waterfalls

Be careful climbing near waterfalls as rocks can be slippery! NEVER jump off falls or elevated rocks into plunge pools. Exposed rocks appearing wet and “black” are extremely slick with algae. Avoid them!  Flows vary by season, with spring and fall typically having the heaviest.

Meet the Rangers

Proudly supported by our community partners
Tower Bank

Silver Partner

Ben Lomand Connect

Bronze Partner

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