South Cumberland State Park

LOCATION
The South Cumberland State Park is located in Middle Tennessee, southeast of Nashville and Northwest of Chattanooga. It is near the towns of Monteagle, Gruetli-Laager, Altamont, and Sewanee. This recreation area encompasses a few different parks- The Savage Gulf, Foster Falls, and Grundy Forest to name a few.

In order to review the area it must be broken down into smaller sections. Therefore, clink on the link to the left titled “LABELS” to read a review of each area.

DIRECTIONS
Directions are too the visitors center. Directions to each area will be on each post.

I-24, exit Hwy 41- Sewanee, Tracy City, Monteagle. Drive east towards Monteagle. Take a left on Summerfield Rd (there is a sign pointing towards the visitors center). The visitors center is a couple of miles on your left.

DESCRIPTION
• Beautiful views
• Mixture of hardwood and hemlock forests
• Great waterfalls
• Best Middle Tennessee snow hikes in winter
• Stone chimneys

ACTIVITIES
• Hiking
• Camping
• Backpacking
• Fishing
• Rock climbing

ISSUES
• Crowded at waterfalls not requiring a hike in
• Some campsites are crowded on weekends
• Slick rocks on trails
• Snakes

POSITIVES
• Wonderful views
• Large forests
• Geological wonders
• Trails are not crowded once 1-2 miles in

SYNOPSIS
My family and I refer to this area as our “go too” park for weekend hiking. It seems that we always find something new here even though we have been hiking this area for a number of years. Our favorite day hike trail is The Fiery Gizzard. Our favorite view trail is the Stone Door Rim Trail. When the heat of summer is burning us up; we hike the Fiery Gizzard. The stream and forest canopy seem to cool us off.

After a hike, we usually ride over to The University of the South for lunch at Shenanigans. It is a local eatery and close to the university in Sewanee.

LINKS
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/SouthCumberland/index.shtml
http://www.mapquest.com/
http://www.sewanee.edu/