Fiery Gizzard Camping
Camping at Fiery Gizzard
Fiery Gizzard State Park is located on the southern Cumberland Plateau, about an hour northwest of Chattanooga, and is known for its rugged terrain and extensive trail system. The park includes the Fiery Gizzard Trail, recognized by Backpacker magazine as one of the top hiking trails in the United States.
Camping options include four backcountry campgrounds located along the trail system, all of which require a hike to reach and require water be carried in or filtered from a natural source. A primitive drive-up campground at Foster Falls is also available for tents and small trailers.
Fiery Gizzard Foster Falls Campground
The Foster Falls Campground is the only camping area in the park where guests may park a car and/or small pop-ups next to the campsite.
The Foster Falls campground offers primitive campsites ideal for tents or small trailers, with a maximum occupancy of six per site. These campsites do not offer water or electricity, but a restroom and heated showers are available. No gas generators are allowed at the Foster Falls Campground.
The campground is open year-round. All sites have a fire ring and a picnic table. Most sites are wooded, offering some shade, and have a level, gravel surface. A few are on a slight incline. All tents and small campers must be placed on the dedicated camping pad.
Fiery Gizzard Father Adamz Campground
Father Adamz Campground offers eight sites with a maximum occupancy of six per campsite and one group campsite.
This campground is a .5-mile hike from the Foster Falls parking lot. Water is available at the parking lot and Little Gizzard Creek, which is next to the campground. An outhouse is available at the campground, and a fire ring is at each individual site. Campers must arrive at their site by dark.
Group Campground: Father Adamz Campground offers one backcountry group campsite with a maximum occupancy of thirty.
Fiery Gizzard Little Cove Campground
Little Cove Campground offers five sites with a maximum occupancy of six per campsite and one group campsite.
This campground is a 7.6-mile hike from the Grundy Forest parking lot and 6 miles from the Foster Falls parking lot. Water is available at the parking lot and a seasonal creek that runs next to each campsite. An outhouse is available at the campground, and a fire ring is at each individual site. Campers must arrive at their site by dark.
Group Campground: Little Cove Campground offers one backcountry group campsite with a maximum occupancy of thirty.
Grundy Forest Campground
Grundy Forest Campground offers five sites with a maximum occupancy of six per campsite and one group campsite.
This campground is a .6-mile hike from the Grundy Forest parking lot. Water is available at the parking lot, and Big Fiery Gizzard Creek is down the trail below the campground. An outhouse is available at the campground, and a fire ring is at each individual site. Campers must arrive at their site by dark.
Group Campground: Grundy Forest Campground offers one backcountry group campsite with a maximum occupancy of thirty.
Fiery Gizzard Small Wilds Campground
The Small Wilds Campground offers six sites with a maximum occupancy of six per site, plus one group campsite.
This campground is a 2.5-mile hike from the Foster Falls parking lot. Water is available at the parking lot and at a seasonal creek next to the campground. An outhouse is available at the campground, and a fire ring is at each individual site. Campers must arrive at their site by dark.
Group Campground: Small Wilds Campground offers one backcountry group campsite with a maximum occupancy of thirty.
Firewood Policy
Tennessee State Parks asks that ALL campfires be made with heat-treated wood or downed wood collected inside the park, near the campsite. Please refrain from bringing untreated wood into the park.