Scott's Gulf Wilderness Camping
Camping at Scott’s Gulf Wilderness
Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park is located in Middle Tennessee near Sparta, about 45 minutes east of Cookeville. The park protects a rugged wilderness landscape of gorges, bluffs, waterfalls, and panoramic overlooks. Visitors can enjoy hiking, dark sky viewing, hunting, fishing, and paddling within a remote natural setting.
Camping at the park is offered exclusively through backcountry sites located in four designated areas: Martha’s Pretty Point, Cable Crossing, Caney Fork, and Virgin Falls. All campsites require hiking to reach and water to be carried in or filtered from a natural source.
Scott's Gulf Wilderness Virgin Falls Campsite
Distance to campsite: 4.3 miles
Visitors will enter in from the Virgin Falls Trailhead, which is considered a strenuous hike. There are two ways to approach getting to the campground. If you are coming from the main Virgin Falls trailhead, the campsites are up the hill from the falls area. You can also enter from the Sheep’s Cave trail. These campsites are primitive and do not offer water or electricity service. Please allow plenty of time to get to your campsite in the daylight.
The distance to Virgin Falls Waterfall is four miles one way. For more information about the Virgin Falls trail, visit our hiking page.
Scott's Gulf Wilderness Cable Crossing Campsites
Distance to campsite: 1.5 miles
Water: Water can be collected from Big Laurel Creek, but it must be treated before consumption. For those bringing in water, please follow Leave No Trace principles.
Visitors will hike in from the Virgin Falls Trailhead, which is considered strenuous. These campsites are located next to Big Laurel Creek, which runs most of the year except during drought conditions.
These campsites are primitive and do not offer water or electricity service.
The distance to Virgin Falls is 4-miles one-way. Please allow plenty of time to reach your campsite during daylight hours. For more information about the Virgin Falls trail, visit our hiking page.
Scott's Gulf Wilderness Caney Fork Campsites
Distance to campsite: 4.5 miles
Water: The Caney Fork River is a close water source to the campground, but it can dry up in summer weather, and water must be treated before consumption. For those bringing in water, please practice Leave No Trace principles.
The Caney Fork Campground offers ideal tent-camping sites, with the tranquil sound of the Caney Fork River flowing right by. Visitors will enter in from the Virgin Falls Trailhead or the Rylander Cascades Trailhead, which are considered strenuous hikes. During severe weather with heavy rain, these campsites and/or the trail to them can flood.
These campsites are primitive and do not offer water or electricity service. Campsites #11 – #14 are all next to each other.
For more information about the Virgin Falls trail, visit our hiking page.
Scott's Gulf Wilderness Martha's Pretty Point Campsites
Distance to campsite: 2.1 miles
Water: The closest source of water will be below Martha’s Pretty Point overlook (this spot can be dry during summer and fall months) or at the Big Laurel Creek crossing on the Upland trail, which is about 1.2 miles away from the campsites. Water must be treated before consumption.
Visitors will enter in from the Virgin Falls Trailhead, taking the Upland Trail, which is considered a strenuous hike. These sites offer the perks of having a metal fire ring with a grill attachment.
For more information about the Virgin Falls trail, visit our hiking page.
Details You Should Know
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.
