Get Away From It All At This Remote And Beautiful Campground In Tennessee

Have you ever found yourself taken by the idea of escaping deep into the woods? You can make that romantic dream a reality in one state park with wonderful backcountry camping in Tennessee. South Cumberland State Park is a hiker’s paradise with plenty of places to stop along the way and set up camp. Get ready for a wild adventure in Tennessee where you can truly get away from it all. 

South Cumberland State Park is broken up into several districts spanning over 12,000 acres. Many trails weave in and out of the park, giving guests lots of opportunities, from leisurely hikes to challenging rugged backpacking experiences. If you put South Cumberland State Park in your GPS, chances are it will take you to the main Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is located miles away from many of the trailheads, so make sure to not make that mistake!

This is what happened to us the first time, but we got to have a great conversation with the ranger who was happy to point us in the right direction. The best way to experience this park is to have a list of what trails to hit before you go so you can drive directly to the trailhead. The park is mostly known for its famous waterfall and swimming area called Foster Falls. We have hiked this trail and it was a lot of fun for our whole family.

The Buggy Top Trail is another popular spot that features a massive cave opening with a rushing river pouring out of its gaping maw. These are just a little taste of what to expect, but if you are seeking a real adventure deep into the woods you can get that too!

The Fiery Gizzard is one such place where you can backpack in and make a multi-day trip out of it. If you are looking to really escape into the wilds of Tennessee, this is the state park for you.

Bring what you need and spend the night surrounded by trees in this mountainous dreamscape.

There are several backcountry campgrounds so you will have a variety of options depending on which hike or area you would like to spend the night.

The campgrounds all feel very remote, so you shouldn’t find yourself surrounded by too many fellow campers. In my experiences, the best way to camp here is to bring a group of friends and make a fun trip out of it. You can bring a tent, of course, but hammock camping has started gaining in popularity too. If you are looking to pack light then bringing a hammock can be a great option!

If a retreat to the woods sounds like the picture-perfect getaway to you, make sure to try backcountry camping at this state park in Tennessee. You can reserve a night by visiting the South Cumberland State Park website. Pair the trip with some long-distance hiking but make sure to bring along my favorite hiking tool, the AllTrails app. Then if you plan on setting up for a long time and really enjoying a good seat by the campfire then we couldn’t recommend this GI Outdoor Kickback Rocking Chair From REI enough.

One of the sections of South Cumberland State Park has now become its own state park. Make sure to also visit Savage Gulf State Park we loved it when we visited.