Treating the family to a great, getaway adventure doesn’t have to involve traveling very far with nearby South Cumberland, Savage Gulf and Tims Ford state parks offering an array of exciting guided hikes and relaxing boat tours.

South Cumberland State Park’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 information, call the visitor center at 931-924-2980.

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. For information, call the visitor center at 931-968-3536.

Savage Gulf State Park, 11745 US Hwy. 41, Monteagle, had been part of South Cumberland State Park prior to its designation as a new and separate Tennessee state park. Savage Gulf offers about 60 miles of hiking trails, backcountry camping and picnic areas. For information, call 931-924-2980.

The following guided adventures are open to the public and are a great way to meet new people who share an interest in the outdoors. 

All events below are guided by park staff who are knowledgeable when it comes to the natural, cultural and historical treasures in our parks. Register in advance as some events have a capacity limit and a fee.

July 14

Pontoon dam tour

Join in for a slow and steady pontoon trip to the Tims Ford Dam. Meet at Lakeview Marina inside Tims Ford State Park on Friday from 1-2 p.m. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for ages 16 and younger. Register in advance at reserve.tnstateparks.com.

July 15

Sunset dam tour

Join in for a slow and steady trip to the Tims Ford Dam. Meet at Lakeview Marina inside Tims Ford State Park on Saturday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for ages 16 and younger. Register in advance.

July 16

Pontoon dam tour

Join in for a slow and steady pontoon trip to the Tims Ford Dam. Meet at Lakeview Marina inside Tims Ford State Park on Sunday from 9-10 a.m. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for ages 16 and younger. Register in advance.

July 20

Buggytop caving

Join in for a ranger-led adventure to Lost Cove Cave, known locally as Buggytop, at South Cumberland State Park on July 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at the Carter State Natural Area parking lot to hike the two-mile, strenuous trail to the giant maw of the cave. Once inside, explore the nooks and crannies, rimstone pools, flowstone slabs, secret rooms and other hidey-holes the cave has to offer. Bring water and snacks and three sources of light and wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Cost is $10. Register in advance. For information, call Park Ranger Jason Reynolds at 931-924-2980. 

July 21

Sunset hike

Join Seasonal Interpretive Ranger Katie Lane on a free, guided hike on July 21 from 7:20-8:30 p.m. to the Denny Cove Overlook at South Cumberland State Park. The hike is about 15 minutes long and considered easy. Close-toed shoes are recommended. Meet at the Denny Cove Trailhead, 5949 TN-150 Scenic, Sequatchie, ten minutes before the departure time and bring a flashlight for the hike back.

July 22

Waterfall hike

Join SIR J.D. Dickerson for a five-mile, roundtrip guided hike to the scenic Horsepound Falls at Savage Gulf State Park, 2689 55^th Ave., Gruetli-Laager, on July 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is an intermediate-level hike. Cost is $5. Register in advance.

July 28

Storybook hike

Join SIR Katie Lane at the welcome center’s pavilion, 11745 US Hwy. 41, Monteagle, on July 28 from 3-4 p.m. for a free storybook hike at the meadow trail featuring the book “Pitter and Patter.” This is a one-mile hike. Register in advance.

July 29

Hike to Schwoon Spring

Meet SIR J.D. Dickerson at 1183 Stone Door Road, Beersheba Springs, for a guided hike to Schwoon Spring inside Savage Gulf State Park on July 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is an estimated 11-mile, roundtrip hike to a natural spring that flows out of a small cave that sits at the base of the plateau. This is an upper-intermediate-level hike with a reasonable amount of elevation. Bring lunch and other essentials. Cost is $10. Register in advance.

July 30

Buggytop caving

Join SIR Katie Lane for a strenuous and wet hike to the Lost Cove Cave West Trailhead along Buggytop Trail and into the cave at South Cumberland State Park on July 30 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program will involve five miles of hiking with one of those miles being inside the cave. Bring essential supplies including lunch, a headlamp and two other sources of light. Meet at the Lost Cove Trailhead at least 10 minutes before departure. Cost is $10. Register in advance.