Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    South Cumberland State Park

    4.7 (16 reviews)

    South Cumberland State Park Photos

    Recommended Reviews - South Cumberland State Park

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Megan F.

    This park was wonderful, when you enter they have an information center with restrooms. We picked up a park map at the information center. There are tons of hiking trails of different difficulty levels. If you plan on hiking to the base of waterfalls make sure you have proper footwear. We also enjoyed all the overlook spots.

    Stacie B.

    This may now be one of my all-time favorite state parks and hiking areas. Spent a weekend here and was not at ALL disappointed. Checked out the Savage Gulf area as well as the Fiery Gizzard trail. As much as I loved Savage Gulf and the Stone Door trail (a must-see), it felt like we entered another world on the Fiery Gizzard trail. There are some pretty serious issues with erosion and mud-slides toward the middle portion of the trail starting from the north end before you hit raven point, and I hope the park is evaluating how to solve these issues to both keep hikers safe and the environment in-tact and as unaffected as possible. Otherwise, though, this is the best trail I've been fortunate enough to hike to-date. From the rock scrambles, to the moss covered everything and the roaring river (we visited after it had been raining substantially for a few weeks), this area will more than live up to your expectations. Make sure you stop by the visitor center as well as the staff there are INCREDIBLY knowledgeable and helpful for planning your day/weekend in the area.

    10/10 would swim out to the falls again
    Samantha H.

    We did a hike in the Fiery Gizzard South/Foster Falls area of the park and it was beautiful. I highly recommend bringing a lightweight towel and maybe water shoes if you plan to swim out to the waterfall--which was amazing!! Absolutely would do that again. The trail was well marked and the park site and trail head marker gave great descriptions of all the trails. I wouldn't recommend this area for young kids, the hike was more moderate/difficult in some spots. We could not find an actual clear map of all the trails so were left a little confused on exactly what trail we were on or if it would have connected with others, but overall it was great.

    Brandi H.

    South Cumberland State Park is HUGE. It's 30,000 acres, and spans over FOUR Tennessee counties. It has five small lakes, picnic tables, grills, pavilions, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, a baseball diamond, a gift shop, a museum, a cabin, campsites, rock climbing, rappelling, boating, and swimming. Oh, and lest we forget... over 90 miles of hiking. The 12 mile, one way trail, the Fiery Gizzard, is considered one of the best trails in the country. We know it was established in 1978, and there are sites showing old coal ovens and other historic sites. I can't wait to come back again... and again.. and again.

    Large shelter with picnic tables and grill provided near the bathrooms
    Melissa B.

    FIERY GIZZARD and GRUNDY TRAILHEADS in South Cumberland Recreation Area Sunday, January 19th, 2014 Tony and I went hiking in the South Cumberland State Park at the Grundy Trail Nature Area in Tracy City . It took us 2 1/2 hrs to hike 3.2 miles. Not too bad for 2 people over 50 with heart conditions... Directions: I-24 exit 134 Monteagle, take Rt 41South to Tracy City. On Right turn on 3rd street go to the Tracy City Elementary School, just past you will turn Right on Marion Street, go back to the Brown sign showing Fiery Gizzard Trail back near the softball field for the school, you will see on the left parking spots paved with bathrooms, shelter with picnic tables and signs.. Sign in to let them know you are hiking. Two trails one near the sign where you register marked Fiery Gizzard and the second located between the shelter picnic area and the bathrooms that is label : Grundy Trail 2.0 mile loop following the white tag markers 1/2 mile in there is a CCC campsite following blue marker trail to the Right Free Camping available no electric, primitive sites 1 mile into the hike you will come to the Hanes Waterfall 6' ft and swimming hole after you take the steps (approximately 24) down to the water's edge. Another .3 miles you will arrive at the bridge crossing, through an area referred to as Black Canyon, this will take you further into the park for hiking but if you venture .2 miles you will arrive at another waterfall, Chimney Rocks Waterfall, which is 20' ft drop into the narrow canyon and then an additional .4 miles to the Sycamore Falls, which is a 12' ft fall with gorgeous swimming hole. From here you can continue on the left to the Dog Hole Trail... At this point, we double back .6 miles back to the bridge and mada a Right to then continue on the White marker path back towards the parking lot .7 miles. On this part of the trail you will pass the Blue Hole Waterfall 9' high and swimming hole is 7' ft deep and the Cave Spring Rockhouse overhang rock cliff with the Hemlock Tree over 500 plus yrs. before climbing back to the parking lot and ending up at the Fiery Gizzard Trailhead. If you walk this entirely to the Sycamore falls and back to the parking lot you will have hiked 3.2 miles. Some of it is very narrow with high steep drops to the water's edge with loose footing and rocks so please be careful there are not railings for support or safety. If you are hiking with Children please be warne

    Brenda R.

    Very nice State Park. I enjoyed the hike with all the scenic paths we found. Worth a visit.

    See all

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Melissa B.
    1280
    2704
    33402

    12 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brenda R.
    138
    308
    680

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of TN State P.

    TN State P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Love this place as it surprisingly hidden. Even a few locals have never ventured to it.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Some of the best hiking outside of the Smokies in TN. South rim definitely has the best overlooks.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - South Cumberland State Park

    Review Highlights - South Cumberland State Park

    The 12 mile, one way trail, the Fiery Gizzard, is considered one of the best trails in the country.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Sunset Rock Climbing

    Sunset Rock Climbing

    4.7(28 reviews)
    30.3 mi

    LOL --- this is my first "non-food" review, but this place is so beautiful --- it needs to be…read moreshared! I was looking for somewhere beautiful to get a panorama of Chattanooga (+ more) from an awesome vantage point, and I found this spot on Google. It's a bit of a winding drive to eventually arrive to the site, and when you do, parking is extremely limited. It's either you got luck or God on your side, to park right where the "rock" is, but I was very fortunate. The steps are very large and irregular getting to the actual "site", and if you are not fit --- just go slow. However, once you arrive --- it's like heaven. A view from the heavens overseeing the Tennessee River Gorge, Prentice Cooper State Forest, and valleys. Spending 20-30 minutes after getting up their will clear your mind. A view that you should not pass up!

    This trail was a bit more challenging than others we've done. For context, I enjoy long hikes on…read morerelatively flat, well-defined paths--l'm not a hardcore hiker. So, from my perspective, I'd rate this as a moderately difficult hike. The trail is about 3.5 miles round trip and took us around 2 hours, not including the time we spent enjoying the view at the top. The summit is absolutely worth the effort-the view is breathtaking. Be sure to bring plenty of water. Thankfully, the trail has lots of shade, which helped keep us cool and protected from the sun.

    Photos
    Sunset Rock Climbing - Pathway down to cliffs

    Pathway down to cliffs

    Sunset Rock Climbing
    Sunset Rock Climbing

    See all

    Walls of Jericho - Foot bridge crossing over Hurricane Creek.

    Walls of Jericho

    4.4(9 reviews)
    25.5 mi

    On the Tennessee-Alabama border, is a Wildlife Management Area named the Bear Hollow Mountain…read moreWildlife Management Area. Bear Hollow Mountain is over 21,000 acres. Within this area is a 750 natural area named the Walls of Jericho. It's about an hour and forty five minute drive from Nashville. The Walls itself is referred to often as "The Grand Canyon of the South," because when you hike to the Walls of Jericho, you find yourself in a 150 foot wide bowl surrounded by 200 foot tall walls. A traveling minister found it in the late 1880s and named it, and it sat on private property until recently. It was purchased by the Nature Conservancy in 2003, and then sold to Alabama's Forever Wild Program. Alabama spent $9.3million for its portion of the land, and Tennessee spend $5.9million for its portion. The waterfalls form Paint Rock River, and the walls are surrounded by forestry. The forestry itself has at least 15 federally endangered or threatened species. The Walls of Jericho opened officially August 27th, 2004. There is a horseback riding trail, and two openings to the hiking trail- one on the Tennessee side, and one on the Alabama side. Ya'll. This is a hard hike. Even though I hike sporadically, I was not prepared. We drove an hour and forty five minutes from Nashvillle, and arrived. The parking lot had portapotties. There was no cellular service. We began the hike, which is quoted in different places as 6, 7, and 8 miles. There are paper maps in a box at the head of the trail, but they aren't well done or easily readable. As you hike, the path is marked with red marks on trees. However, the hiking trail intersects with the horseback riding trail and forks off to the other states' entrance, and it isn't well marked at all. The hike down into the forest to the canyon took my party about 2 hours, and was super easy as it was literally all downhill, with spots of rugged terrain. The hike back up took us close to 4 hours, and was decidedly difficult. Now, some hikes I've done have been steadily uphill. However, hiking back from the Walls of Jericho was a steep heavy incline for a few feet, followed by a segment of flatland, and it alternated back and forth. Since you're in a valley, the sun sets very early. For us, we began the hike at noon, the sun began to set at 5:15, and we arrived back at the car at 5:45. The scenes surrounding you are beautiful. There are sparse benches, and even an old cemetery. I wish there was more to tell us about the history of the place or the family who'd previously owned it- even on the back of the takeaway maps. Bring water and a backpack of granola. I wouldn't imagine doing this in the dead of summer, so January was perfect, temperature-wise. Go challenge yourself and do this hike.. and prepare to be sore for two days afterward; it's absolutely worth it.

    We enjoyed this trail. It's well marked and the end is beautiful. The rocks are very slippery so…read moreI don't recommend this for everyone- it's like walking on ice especially the final section. Definitely a work out and beautiful scenery. Bugs in the face were an annoyance in August.

    Photos
    Walls of Jericho
    Walls of Jericho - Anyone left behind?

    Anyone left behind?

    Walls of Jericho - Church of the Highlands Huntsville & Grants Mill hiking groups ready for our adventure hike.

    See all

    Church of the Highlands Huntsville & Grants Mill hiking groups ready for our adventure hike.

    South Cumberland State Park - hiking - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...