general information

Address and Phone:
Route 1, P.O. Box 253
Palmer, TN 37365

Email: ask.tnstateparks@state.tn.us
Phone: (931) 779-3532

Admission Rates:
Four parking areas, over 50 miles of hiking trails, backcountry camping, and picnic areas are available.

Savage Gulf State Natural Area

http://www.state.tn.us/environment/na/natareas/savage/

Palmer, TN

Savage Gulf, a 15,590-acre natural area, is carved into the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau in Grundy and Sequatchie Counties. The sheer sandstone cliffs and canyons make it one of Tennessee's most rugged and scenic areas.

Stone Door, a 10-by-100-foot crack, stretches from the top of the escarpment into the gorge, like a giant door left ajar. Indians used it as a passageway. Gorges feature breathtaking waterfalls. Greeter Falls drops over a 15-foot upper ledge and then plummets over a 50-foot lower ledge into a cold, clear plunge pool. Savage Creek enters its gorge over cascades and drops 30-foot at Savage Falls. Collins River and Ranger Creek have waterfalls that drop over limestone ledges and flow into sinks where they disappear. Big Creek, Collins River and Savage Creeks each tumble down over 5 miles, dropping over 800 feet through narrow gorges, forming the "Gulfs." Observed from a 750 overlook, Big Creek mysteriously disappears below. Many big streams go underground through shale and limestone to form dry creek beds. Sudden heavy rainfall can cause very dangerous flash floods. 

Directions: The Stone Door Entrance is accessed via Highway 56 in Beersheba Springs. Turn on Stone Door Road and proceed straight to the area's entrance. This natural area is a part of the South Cumberland Recreation Area.
The Savage Gulf entrance and ranger station is located halfway along Highway 399 between Cagle and Gruetli-Laager.