As the holiday season takes hold around Franklin County, there is still plenty to explore at the nearby state parks.
South Cumberland, Savage Gulf and Tims Ford state parks are located within Franklin and Grundy counties and offer, hiking, 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 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 Savage Gulf 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.Â
All events will be guided by park staff who are extremely 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.
Nov. 25
After-Thanksgiving hike
Join Park Ranger Mark Matzkiw for an after-Thanksgiving hike Friday from 9-11 a.m. at Tims Ford State Park. Meet at the park’s office to depart for this 2.5-mile, easy/moderate hike. Cost is $10. For information, call 931-279-4893 or email mark.matzkiw@tn.gov.
After-Thanksgiving hike
Join Park Ranger Todd Childress on Friday from 10-11:30 a.m. at 1183 Stone Door Road, Beersheba Springs, for South Cumberland State Park’s Savage Gulf day-after-Thanksgiving hike at Stone Door. This is a moderately easy, two-mile hike for all age groups. Cost is $10. Register at reserve.tnstateparks.com.
Nov. 27
Savage Gulf night hike
Join Park Ranger Spencer Baxter Sunday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. for night hiking at Stone Door in South Cumberland State Park. Meet at 1183 Stone Door Road, Beersheba Springs, 15 minutes before the start of the hike to check in. This is a two-mile, roundtrip hike to several overlooks to experience the night sky. Bring a headlamp. Cost is $10. Register at reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/night-hiking-at-stone-door13.
Dec. 2
Three Forks night hike
Join Park Ranger Mark Greenwood on Dec. 2 from 5:30-8 p.m. for night hiking to Three Forks in South Cumberland State Park. Meet at the Stone Door Ranger Station, 1183 Stone Door Road, Beersheba Springs for this three-mile, roundtrip hike to the South Cumberland Plateau woodlands. This hike is typically completed in two hours. Bring a headlamp and check in 15 minutes before the start of the hike. Cost is $10. Register at reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/night-hike-to-three-forks00.
Dec. 3
Winter botany at Sherwood Forest
Join host Todd Crabtree to explore Sherwood Forest State Natural Area on the southern end of the Cumberland Plateau in Franklin County. The high humidity in this area allows for interesting plants such as bryophytes, mosses and liverworts. Meet in the Sherwood parking area.
Three Forks night hike
Join park ranger Mark Greenwood for more night hiking to Three Forks in South Cumberland State Park on Dec. 3 from 5:30-8 p.m. Meet at the Stone Door Ranger Station, 1183 Stone Door Road, Beersheba Springs for a three-mile, roundtrip hike to the South Cumberland Plateau woodlands. This hike is typically completed in two hours. Bring a headlamp and check in 15 minutes before the start of the hike. Cost is $10. Register at reserve.tnstateparks.com/register/night-hike-to-three-forks00.
