Bundle up and get outdoors for some fresh air, exercise and fun at South Cumberland State Park.

South Cumberland State Park is located within Franklin and Grundy counties and offers plenty of hiking opportunities, whether on your own or guided by a park ranger.

South Cumberland’s 30,845 acres provides some of the most exciting and rugged hiking and backcountry camping in the region with 12 trailheads to explore. For more information, visit the park’s website at tnstateparks.com/parks/south-cumberland or visit or call the visitor center located at 11745 US Highway 41 in Monteagle, 931-924-2980.

The following guided park activities are open to the public. Supervised adventures are a great way to meet new people who share your interest in the outdoors. 

All events will be guided by park staff who are knowledgeable when it comes to the natural, cultural and historical treasures in the  parks. Participants are sure to learn something new. 

Registration in advance is required for guided hikes at reserve.tnstateparks.com. Most events have a capacity limit and a fee.

Feb. 17

Night hike

Park Ranger Spencer Baxter will lead a night hike at Stone Door in Savage Gulf inside South Cumberland State Park on Friday from 6-8:30 p.m. Meet 15 minutes before the start of the hike at 1183 Stone Door Road, Beersheba Springs. The two-mile trek will take visitors to several overlooks to experience the night sky and unseen woodland wonders of night. Bring a headlamp. Cost is $10.

Feb. 18

Suter Falls

Join Park Ranger Todd Childress for a one-mile hike to Suter Falls Saturday from 1-2:30 p.m. at South Cumberland State Park. Meet at Savage South Trailhead, 2689 55^th Ave., Gruetli-Laager. The hike will be moderately difficult due to several rock scrambles and its proximity to cliff edges. Everyone attending will need to be able to maintain balance and walk up a steep elevation gain. Cost is $5.

Feb. 19

Savage Gulf at night

Join Park Ranger Mark Greenwood for a Savage Gulf night hike to Three Forks in South Cumberland State Park this Sunday from 6-8 p.m. Meet at the Stone Door Ranger Station, 1183 Stone Door Road, Beersheba Springs. This is a three-mile, roundtrip hike of the Southern Cumberland Plateau woodlands. Bring a non-phone flashlight. Cost is $10.

Feb. 25

Savage Gulf: Greeter Falls

Join Park Ranger Spencer Baxter on Feb. 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for this Savage Gulf Greeter Falls nature and waterfall two-mile hike. Meet at 550 Greeter Falls Road, Altamont. Cost is $5.

Feb. 26

Savage Gulf day loop

Join Park Ranger Mark Greenwood for a Savage Gulf day loop hike on Feb. 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This five-mile hike (roundtrip) is an introductory hike to the east side of Savage Gulf. Meet at the Savage Gulf Ranger Station, 3157 State Route 399, Palmer. Cost is $5 for ages 12 and younger and $10 for adults. 

Feb. 28

Secret waterfalls

Join Park Ranger Jason Reynolds on Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to explore the wilds of Sherwood Forest and get a glimpse of the secret waterfalls hidden within. This will be a multi-hour, off-trail exploration over extremely difficult and slick rocky terrain. Off-trail hiking is not allowed at South Cumberland State Park, so this is a rare opportunity to see parts of the park that are seldom seen. Cost is $10.