Those seeking a cure for cabin fever can bundle up and explore our beautiful, nearby state parks this winter.

South Cumberland, Savage Gulf and Tims Ford state parks are located within Franklin and Grundy counties and offer plenty of hiking opportunities, whether on your own or guided by a park ranger. In addition to hikes, Tims Ford State Park offers boating, picnicking, golfing and much more.

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 call the visitor center at 931-924-2980. The visitor center is located at 11745 US Highway 41 in Monteagle.

Tims Ford State Park, located at 570 Tims Ford Dr. in Winchester, encompasses 3,546-acres in the shadows of the Cumberland Plateau. Lakeview Marina, located within the park, provides pontoon boat, canoe and kayak rentals as well as a boat launch and courtesy dock.

Tims Ford Lake is considered one of the most picturesque lakes in Tennessee and is regarded as one of the top bass fishing and recreational lakes in the Southeast. The park includes the Bear Trace golf course and camping sites as well as cabin rentals. For detailed information on the park, call the visitor center at 931-968-3536 or visit tnstateparks.com/parks/info/tims-ford.

Savage Gulf State Park, 11745 US Highway 41, Monteagle, had been part of South Cumberland State Park prior to the recent announcement of its designation as a new and separate Tennessee State Park. Savage Gulf offers about 60 miles of hiking trails, backcountry camping and picnic areas. The park has four trailhead parking lots. Savage Gulf also has nine backcountry campgrounds (Hobbs, Dinky Line, Savage Falls, Stagecoach Road, Collin West, Savage Station, Alum Gap, Sawmill and Stone Door) that can be reserved online.

The Stone Door trailhead offers restroom facilities, a ranger station, a picnic area and a picnic pavilion. The bluffs at Stone Door offer visitors the opportunity to rock climb and rappel with seven designated routes (permits required.) Trail maps are available at the SCRC visitor center.

For information, call 931-924-2980 or visit tnstateparks.com/parks/savage-gulf.

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. Register in advance as some events have a capacity limit and a fee.

Jan. 21

Collins Gulf Loop hike

Park Ranger Todd Childress will lead the Collins Gulf Loop hike in South Cumberland State Park on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet at the Savage South Trailhead, 2689 55^th Ave., Gruetli-Laager, for this 12-mile, strenuous, loop hike to view scenic waterfalls and majestic overlooks. Cost is $10. Register at reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/collins-gulf-loop-hike.

Jan. 23

Savage Gulf: Greeter Falls hike

Join Park Ranger Spencer Baxter at 550 Greeter Falls Road in Altamont on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a two-mile hike through the Greeter Falls Loop in South Cumberland State Park. Hikers will see scenic waterfalls. Cost is $5. Register at reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/greeter-falls-nature-hike13.

Jan. 24

Winter waterfall hike

Beat the weekend crowd for a winter waterfall hike in South Cumberland State Park on Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. The two-mile hike will be led by Park Ranger Jessie DeRight. Meet at Fiery Gizzard North, 131 Fiery Gizzard Road, Tracy City. Cost is $10. Register at reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/winter-waterfall-hikehf871hef.

Jan. 25

Tree-mendous hike

Join Ranger Alex Coop on the Lost Creek Overlook Trail at Tims Ford State Park for an awe-inspiring hike through nature to learn about the foundations of basic tree identification on Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. Meet at the Park’s Visitor Center. Register at reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/a-treemendous-hike55.

Jan. 20 & 27

Savage Gulf night hike

Join Park Ranger Mark Greenwood for a Savage Gulf night hike to Three Forks in South Cumberland State Park this Friday and on Jan. 27 from 5:30-8 p.m. Meet at the Stone Door Ranger Station, 1183 Stone Door Road, Beersheba Springs. This is a three-mile, roundtrip hike from the Stone Door Ranger Station to a small lake. Bring a non-phone flashlight. Register at reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/night-hike-to-three-forks02.

Jan. 27

Sherwood Forest exploration

Park Ranger Jason Reynolds will lead the Sherwood Forest exploration hike Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at South Cumberland State Park. Meet at the Sherwood Forest parking lot for this multi-hour, off-trail exploration over extremely difficult terrain. Off-trail hiking is not allowed at South Cumberland State Park, so this is an opportunity to see parts of the park rarely seen. Cost is $10. Register at https://reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/sherwood-exploration-012723.

Jan. 28

Night hike

Park Ranger Spencer Baxter will lead a night hike at Stone Door in Savage Gulf inside South Cumberland State Park on Jan. 28 from 6-8:30 p.m. Meet 15 minutes before the state of the hike at 1183 Stone Door Road, Beersheba Springs. The two-mile hike will take visitors to several overlooks to experience the night sky and unseen wonders of night. Bring a headlamp. Cost is $10. Register at reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/night-hiking-at-stone-door16.

Jan. 29

Sunset boat tour

A sunset boat tour will be offered on Jan. 29 from 4:45-5:45 p.m. at Tims Ford State Park. Meet Ranger Dalton Smith at Lakeview Marina (inside the park) for the tour that will take attendees to scout islands and see amazing views. Smith will talk about natural resources, history and more. Life jackets will be provided but you may bring your own if desired. Cost is $15 for children under age 16 and $20 for adults. Register at reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/sunset-boat-tour–445pm.