Savage Gulf Hiking
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Navigating to the Park

Savage Gulf State Park

Mapping applications are sometimes unreliable for navigating around Savage Gulf State Park. We recommend using the physical addresses provided near the bottom of our homepage to navigate to our different trailheads.

  • Wooden suspension bridge stretches through lush green forest, flanked by tall trees and dense foliage, evoking a sense of adventure and tranquility.
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    Rocky cliffside with layered formations and a narrow dirt path featuring embedded stone steps. Sunlight filters through sparse green foliage. Rustic and serene.

    Hiking at Savage Gulf

    From peaceful walks through towering forests to breathtaking overlooks of the Cumberland Plateau, Savage Gulf is a wondrous hiking destination with a diverse trail system featuring waterfalls, vistas, historical areas, and old-growth forests.

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    Trails

    Showing page 1 of 2

    • Big Creek Gulf Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      4.00 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      The rough, challenging trail leads through the gorge below and to the west of Stone Door. Hikers may return via the Laurel or Big Creek Rim Trails. Due to the difficulty, an overnight hike is recommended, although it can make a long but rewarding day hike. The trail begins from Stone Door Trail above the overlook, and then steeply descends through the Stone Door passageway.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Big Creek Rim Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      3.20 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      This trail follows the edge of the plateau above the Big Creek Gulf. It can form half of a loop using either the Laurel or Big Creek Gulf trails as the other half. Several small streams are crossed but are usually dry during the summer and fall. The trail begins from the Stone Door Trail near the overlook.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Blue Hole Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      0.40 mi.
      Difficulty
      —
      Surface
      Natural
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Collins Gulf Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      3.70 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      This challenging trail is designed to accommodate extended trips. It takes hikers along the Collins River past Suter Falls, Horsepound Falls, and the Fall Creek Sink. This trail can become impassable during ice buildup around Suter Falls and during times of high water. The trail begins 0.4 miles from the Collins West Parking lot and 0.2 miles past the Collins West Campground. Collins Rim Trail is straight ahead. The trail begins down and to the left.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Collins Rim Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      6.10 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      This trail follows the edge of the plateau along the east side of the Collins River Gulf. Except for the mile between the Collins West Campground and the Collins River crossing, the trail is entirely on top of the plateau. There are several short trails to overlooks, which are blazed in blue. The trail begins 0.4 miles from the Collins West Parking lot and 0.2 miles past the Collins West Campground. Collins Gulf trail to the left. The trail begins straight ahead.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Connector Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      6.70 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      This is the most challenging and strenuous trail in the Savage Gulf State Natural Area. Several climbs and seemingly endless rocky slopes are crossed. It has connections with most of the other trails as it crosses the mouths of all three gulfs. Suspension bridges span all major river crossings on this trail. The trail begins from Big Creek Gulf Trail 0.9 miles below the Stone Door.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Greeter Falls Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      0.50 mi.
      Difficulty
      —
      Surface
      Natural
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Greeter Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      1.30 mi.
      Difficulty
      —
      Surface
      Natural
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Laurel Falls Loop Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      0.30 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      A short loop leading to a beautiful 25-foot waterfall behind the Stone Door Ranger Station. The trail begins to the right of the Stone Door Ranger Station.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

    • Laurel Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      2.90 mi.
      Difficulty
      Easy
      Surface
      Natural
      This trail is the shortest route to the Alum Gap Campground and makes a great return trail for hikes on the Big Creek Gulf or Rim trails. The many moist fern-filled hollows become the headwaters of Laurel Creek. The trail begins to the left of the Stone Door Ranger Station..
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Mountain Oak Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      0.80 mi.
      Difficulty
      Easy
      Surface
      Natural
      This trail connects the North Rim and North Plateau trails. A combination of these trails with the Savage Day Loop offers a 10-mile loop from the Savage Ranger Station.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      North Plateau Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      7.10 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      This plateau top trail leads through beautiful old growth forest with several outstanding Shortleaf Pine stands. Except for crossing the Cagle Knobs, the trail is virtually flat. The trail begins from the North Rim Trail near Meadow Creek.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      North Rim Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      6.30 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      This is a longer trail with more overlooks than any other trail at Savage Gulf. It follows the edge of the plateau on the north side of the Savage Creek Gulf. The trail begins from the Savage Day Loop Trail.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Ranger Falls Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      0.40 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      This short trail leads to the falls and sink of Ranger Creek. The trail follows the usually dry streambed of Ranger Creek. Crossing the Big Creek streambed is required, which can be treacherous during high water. The trail begins from the Big Creek Gulf Trail.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Savage Day Loop Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      4.20 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      This hike is a perfect afternoon outing for those looking to view the Gulf and Savage Falls. The loop is all on the plateau top and gives the hiker a great variety of features. This trail gives hikers access to several of the longer backcountry trails and is a great introduction to the Savage Gulf State Natural Area. The trail begins beside the Savage Gulf Ranger Station.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      South Rim Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      5.80 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Natural
      This plateau top trail follows the south rim of the Savage Creek Gulf, except for crossing Savage Creek at the beginning and crossing Peak Mountain at the end. There are several short spur trails to overlooks, which are blazed in blue. The trail begins from the Savage Day Loop Trail.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Stagecoach Road Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      1.60 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      In the 1840's this toll road was authorized for construction to connect McMinnville and Chattanooga. This section has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Extensive rockwork can be seen along the trail near the top of the plateau. The trail begins from the end of the South Rim Trail and the end of the Collins Rim Trail.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Stone Door Trail

      Savage Gulf State Park
      Distance
      0.90 mi.
      Difficulty
      Easy
      Surface
      Natural
      This short, easy trail leads hikers past the Laurel Gulf Overlook and to the Great Stone Door and overlook along the edge of the plateau. The trail begins beside the Stone Door Ranger Station.
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

    Trail Definitions

    • Cross Slope 

      Describes the degree of incline from one side of the trail path to the other; measured as a percentage. Cross slope aids in water drainage and impacts the overall trail stability.   

    • Grade  

      Describes the rise in elevation over a horizontal distance on the trail; measured as a percentage.  Higher percentages represent a steeper grade indicating a more challenging ascent or descent for hikers.    

    • Standard Ramp Grade

      Serves as a reference guide for the grade of the trail.  Standard Ramp Grade is 8.3% across all trail assessments.  

    • Surface 

      A characteristic of the trail expressed in terms of material type, grading, compaction, and roughness of the path. Possible surface types include soil, gravel, paved, and mulch.   

    • Tread Width    

      Represents the horizontal distance from one edge of the trail path to the other; measurements can vary.  Tread width helps to determine the amount of space a hiker has to pass through. Obstacles on the trail can alter the remaining tread width.   

    • Trail Types: Loop

      Trail returns at or near the point from which you started. 

    • Trail Types: Network 

      Offers multiple route options within one trail, and each route is connected

    • Trail Types: Out and Back

      This type of trail travels out to an endpoint where hikers turn around and travel back to the starting point.   

    • Trail Types: Stacked Loop

      A loop trail contained completely within another trail.   

    Learn More About Trail Accessibility Information

    Need a Map?

    Explore our collection of printable and digital trail maps, organized by park. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or paddling, you’ll find the resources you need to navigate confidently.

     

    Find a Park Map

    Discover More at Savage Gulf

    Stone Door Gift Shop

    The Stone Door Gift Shop is the perfect place to pick up a map, learn about the park, or find a souvenir. You’ll find an assortment of apparel and keepsakes to remember your trip to the park.

    Address:
    1183 Stone Door Road, Beersheba Springs TN, 37305
    1-931-692-3887

    Hours: 
    Open seasonally. Call for information. 

    No events are scheduled at this time, but there's always more to explore.

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