Savage Gulf State Park: 2 Day Itinerary

Savage Gulf State Park is a beautiful area in Grundy County, Tennessee, about an hour north of Chattanooga. It is known for its stunning overlooks, gorgeous waterfalls, and deep gorges. As Tennessee’s newest state park, it covers over 19,000 acres and has an extensive 60-mile trail system. The park’s rugged beauty, rich biodiversity, and unique geological formations offer a truly unforgettable outdoor experience. Below is a two-day itinerary to help you start your adventure planning. Please reach out with any questions.

Entrance Fee:

FREE

Lodging:

At this time, Savage Gulf State Park only offers backcountry camping. It does, however, look like more camping options will be coming in the future😊 There are over 70 backcountry campsites. Reservations can be made here- Savage Gulf Camping.

Fall Creeks Falls State Park, about 30 minutes away, has several campgrounds, many with full RV hookups, cabins, and a lodge with modern hotel rooms. Chattanooga, TN, is about an hour south and would also have plenty of hotel options.

Dining:

There is no food for purchase inside the park. The North, East, and West Trailheads have picnic areas if you would like to eat before heading out or in between trails😊

Outside the park, the only food option we saw was Subway, just south of the park. You’ll need to head a bit farther north to McMinnville or east to Dunlap for more dining options.

Must Know Before You Go:

The park has four entrances: North, East, South, and West. North and East have restrooms and ranger stations, while South and West do not. Here is a park map we found helpful- MAP.
Please bring in all food and water for the day. There will not be any for purchase inside the park.
Most of the trails are rocky and slick. Proper footwear is recommended.
Most trails near ledges at least once; use caution, especially if you have little ones running ahead.
While not a common sight, bears are active throughout the park. Review wildlife safety before heading out.
As always, please follow Leave No Trace principles.

Cell Service:

We had service at all 4 trailheads. Once you are on the trails, service is limited.

2 Day Itinerary

Day 1

Greeter Falls/Broadtree Falls/Blue Hole-

Trail: Greeter Falls Loop.

Distance: 2.2 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Combo- loop trail with several out-and-back spurs

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 300+ ft

Trail Access: Savage Gulf West Trailhead

The first trail of the day will begin at the Savage Gulf West Trailhead. This trailhead has a large parking lot and picnic tables but does not have restrooms.

The trail begins at the south end of the parking lot. Almost immediately, there will be a trail junction. Head left to continue to Greeter Falls. You will pass a short trail to the Greeter Home Site on your way to Greeter Falls. After exploring the site, continue the main trail. At the next trail split, veer right to head to Upper and Lower Greeter Falls. You will reach Upper Falls first. After checking out Upper Falls, you’ll head towards Lower Greeter Falls. To get to Lower Greeter Falls, you’ll need to climb down a steep, often slippery, spiral staircase and then a very steep wooden staircase. Luckily, you’ll have views of the stunning 50ft falls your entire climb down.

After enjoying Lower Greeter Falls, head back up both sets of stairs. Once you are back at the large sandstone cliffs, head right to continue the loop to Broadtree Falls. A couple of spur trails along the way offer different views of Broadtree Falls. The last spur trail is steep and slippery, so please use caution. Just past Broadtree Falls, wooden stairs will take you back towards the parking lot.

Once you are back at the first trail junction, continue straight to check out the Blue Hole. If you are completing this hike in the summer, the Blue Hole is a perfect spot to cool off with a swim😊

After checking out the Blue Hole, head back to the parking lot and drive to the Savage Gulf North Trailhead (about a 15-minute drive) for your next two hikes!

Optional Add-On: After Broadtree Falls, instead of taking the wooden stairs back towards the parking lot, cross the swinging bridge and take the Greeter Trail to the Alum Gap Overlook. This side trail will add almost 2 miles and 200 feet of elevation gain.

Stone Door

Trail: Stone Door Trail.

Distance: 2.0 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 100+ ft

Trail Access: Savage Gulf North Trailhead

The Stone Door is a 10ft wide crack in the sandstone cliff that is over 100 feet long and provides access to the gulf below. This trail leads to the top of the plateau, where you can look down into the fracture.

This easy trail begins near the ranger station, just past the restrooms. It is well-marked and easy to follow. It is also paved to the first overlook- Laurel Gulf Overlook. When you reach the end, the trail will split into short spur trails. The one on the left will take you to the Big Creek Gulf Overlook, and the one on the right will take you to the Stone Door. To walk through the Stone Door- head down the stairs just before the footbridge.

After exploring the Stone Door, head back up and over the footbridge to two other stunning overlooks before returning the way you came.

The next trail begins right where this one ends.

Laurel Falls

Trail: Laurel Falls Loop.

Distance: 0.5 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Loop

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 100+ ft

Trail Access: Savage Gulf North Trailhead

The Laurel Falls trail begins right behind the ranger station, just across from the Stone Door Trailhead. It steeply descends until you reach the creek and the edge of the 25-foot Laurel Falls before winding around to more spectacular views of the front of the falls. Just past the observation deck, a steep set of wooden stairs will steer you back up to the parking lot.

And that is the end of day one!

Day 2

Savage Falls

Trail: Savage Falls Trail.

Distance: 3.0 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: ~300 ft

Trail Access: Savage Gulf East Trailhead

The first trail of day 2 begins at the Savage Gulf East Trailhead, which has a large parking lot, a ranger station, and restrooms.

This trail begins near the small ranger station. Almost immediately, there will be the first trail junction. Head left to Savage Falls. The trail is mostly flat as it winds through the lovely forest. Just before the second swinging bridge, there will be a trail split. Veer left and head across the swinging bridge for the most direct route to Savage Falls. After crossing the bridge, head right to continue to the falls. You will be able to see the creek and edge of the falls first, then head down the steep set of stairs for more incredible views closer to the base of the waterfall. After exploring the falls area, take the same route back to return to the parking lot.

Once you return to the lot, jump in your car and head to Savage Gulf South Trailhead. The South Trailhead does not have a ranger station or restrooms.

Optional Add-on: Add the Savage Day Loop onto your hike. It will add another 2 miles and less than 100 ft of elevation gain.

Suter Falls/Horsepound Falls

Trail: Collins Gulf Trail.

Distance: 5.8 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

Elevation Gain: 1100+ ft

Trail Access: Savage Gulf South Trailhead

I saved the best but also the most difficult trail for last! This trail definitely ranks among our top 10 favorite trails, and we had it completely to ourselves! We did not see even 1 other person the entire hike.

The trail begins from the small Savage Gulf South Trailhead parking lot. It winds through the forest briefly before coming to a trail junction. At the junction, head left.

The next portion of the trail is a very rocky climb down to the stunning Suter Falls. After the rocky descent, follow the narrow trail that hugs the cliff wall under the massive rock overhang to make your way closer to the 40 ft Suter Falls. This part of the trail is very slippery, so please be cautious.

You will reach a suspension bridge as you hike closer to the falls. After crossing the bridge, the terrain will continue to be strenuous and rocky for another half mile. After that, there is a series of easy downhill switchbacks over the next mile and a half to Horsepound Falls. The most difficult part of this trail will be the return trip to the car. With several rocky sections and it being all uphill, you will want to rest well before making the trek back! Luckily, you’ll have scenic views of the 25 ft Horsepound Falls to enjoy while resting up😊

And that’s a wrap on Savage Gulf State Park!