South Cumberland Park Activities Schedule
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The South Cumberland Park Rangers and expert volunteers provide a range of guided interpretive activities, hikes, backcountry skills training and a few special programs like rappelling and canoeing.  There are also numerous programs just for kids (regardless of your age) and occasional work days for trail maintenance. The schedule is updated monthly.

June Planned Activities at South Cumberland

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

2:00 p.m.
Snake Program
Meet Ranger Brent at the South Cumberland Visitor Center for an educational program about one of our most misunderstood native animals, the snake.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

12:00 noon
Sycamore Falls Hike
Meet the naturalist at the Grundy Forest parking lot for a moderate 3-mile round trip hike to Sycamore Falls.

2:00 p.m.
Stone Door Hike
Join the naturalist at Stone Door Ranger Station for an easy 2-mile round trip hike to the Great Stone Door and back

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

12:00 noon
Dog Hole Mine Tour
Meet with Wanda and Rosa at the Visitor Center to see what a dog hole mine looked like. These small mines provided coal for heating their homes. Sometimes, there was enough coal to sell to neighbors.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

2:00 p.m.
Greeter Falls Hike
Join the naturalist at the Greeter Falls parking area for this difficult 1.5 mile hike to see some of the beautiful waterfalls in this area.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

3:00 p.m.
Savage Gulf Slide Show
Meet Ranger George at Savage Gulf Ranger Station for an informative slideshow on the Savage Gulf/Stone Door Area.

July Planned Activities at South Cumberland

Friday, July 3, 2009

8:00 a.m.
Stone Door Hike
Join Ranger Jacob at Stone Door Ranger Station to learn about the Cumberland Plateau and the people who lived there. This is an easy 2-mile hike.

6:00 p.m.
Canoe Float
Meet Ranger Carolyn at the Grundy Lakes Beach for a guided canoe tour of the lake. Safety jackets will be supplied. No experience necessary. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

8:00 a.m.
Hike Savage Falls
Meet Ranger Roger at Savage Gulf Ranger Station for a four mile moderate hike roundtrip to see a beautiful waterfall. Wear bug spray, the ticks are here!

8:00 a.m.
What Track Is That?
Join Ranger Carolyn at the South Cumberland State ParkVisitor’s Center volleyball court for a beginner session on animal tracking! If you have a hamster, lizard, snake, turtle, or other small pet, bring it along. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

10:00 a.m.
Meadow Hike
Join Ranger Carolyn at the Visitor Center for an hour-long guided tour of the Meadow Trail. We’ll look at bugs, blooms, and take an easy hike around the pond.

11:00 a.m.
Greeter Falls Hike
Meet Ranger Jacob at the Greeter Falls parking lot for this difficult 2-mile hike. See the beauty of the upper and lower falls.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

8:00 a.m.
Horsepound Falls Hike
Meet Ranger Roger at Collins West access for this strenuous 6 mile hike roundtrip to see two waterfalls and some rugged country.

2:00 p.m.
Creek Games
Join Ranger Carolyn for a splashing good time at the Grundy Forest Pavilion. Shoes required. Prepare to get wet while we look for creek critters and play in the creek. This program involves a moderate hike with a few steep sections.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

3:00 p.m.
Slideshow
Meet Ranger George for an informative slideshow on the Savage Gulf/Stone Door area. Meet at the Savage Gulf Ranger Station.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

5:00 p.m.
Sycamore Falls Hike
Meet Ranger Brent at the Grundy Forest parking lot for this moderate 3 mile hike to Sycamore Falls. Bring sturdy shoes, bug spray, and some water.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

10:00 a.m.
What Tree Is That?
Join Ranger Carolyn at the Foster Falls Parking Lot for a short hike. We’ll learn how to identify 15 common trees that are native to our area.

10:30 a.m.
Canoe Float
Come out to Grundy Lakes for a relaxing canoe float and learn about the history of the area. Meet at the beach parking lot. Space is limited so please call 931-924-2980 for reservations.

2:00 p.m.
Canoe Float
Meet Ranger Carolyn at the Grundy Lakes Beach parking lot for a guided canoe tour of the lake. Safety jackets will be supplied. No experience necessary. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

8:00 a.m.
Ranger Falls Hike
Meet Ranger Jacob at Stone Door Ranger Station for a strenuous 7-mile hike to Ranger Falls. Wear sturdy boots and bring water and a snack.

8:00 a.m.
Boulder Crossing
Meet Ranger Roger at Collins West access for this strenuous three mile hike roundtrip to view a remote beautiful creek. Bring water and snacks.

Friday, July 17, 2009

10:00 a.m.
GPS Basics
Meet at the Visitor Center for this beginner’s course on using a GPS. Ranger Jacob will show you how to navigate and how to mark way points.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

8:00 a.m.
Stone Door Hike
Meet at the Stone Door Ranger Station where Ranger Jacob will take you to the Great Stone Door. Be ready for some amazing overlooks.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

8:00 a.m.
Savage Day Loop
Meet Ranger Roger at the Savage Gulf Ranger Station for this moderate five mile hike to see Savage Falls and Rattlesnake Point!

11:00 a.m.
Greeter Falls Hike
Join Ranger Jacob for this strenuous 2-mile hike to one of Tennessee’s beautiful waterfalls. We will go to the upper and lower falls.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

2:00 p.m.
Knot Tying 101
Meet Ranger Brent at the Visitor Center to learn how to tie a few basic knots.

Friday, July 24, 2009

2:00 p.m.
Sport Climbing How-To-Clinic
Are you ready to move from the world of top-roping to sport climbing? Meet Ranger Jason at the Foster Falls parking lot for a beginner’s course on this different style of rock climbing. Basic skills of climbing and rope work required. Due to limited equipment, call South Cumberland’s Park office to reserve your spot (931)924-2980.

6:00 p.m.
Fine Fishing Fun
Join Ranger Carolyn at the Grundy Lakes Beach for a relaxing evening of fishing. There will be a short instruction session, then pick your spot on the water’s edge, and try your luck at reeling in a big one! Ages 13 and over must have a fishing license. Ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

9:00 a.m.
Learn To Use a Map and Compass
Join Ranger Carolyn at the Stone Door Ranger Station for this three hour moderate rim hike. Maps will be provided; bring a compass and binoculars, if you have them. Bring water.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

1:00 p.m.
Creek Critter Roundup
If you want to find out about the fascinating world of craw-dads and water spiders, or you’re just needing an excuse to get your feet wet on a hot summer day, meet Jason at the Grundy Lakes Beach parking lot. Be sure to bring creek shoes and a towel.


Sunday, July 26, 2009

8:00 a.m.
Fine Fishing Fun
Join Ranger Carolyn at the Grundy Lakes Beach for a quiet morning of fishing. There will be a short instruction session, then pick your spot on the water’s edge, and try your luck at reeling in a big one! Ages 13 and over must have a fishing license. Ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

8:00 a.m.
Suter Falls Hike
Meet Ranger Roger at Collins West access for this strenuous two mile hike down into the gorge below Suter Falls.

11:00 a.m.
Caterpillar, Chrysalis, Butterfly
Join Ranger Carolyn at the South Cumberland State Park Visitor Center to learn more about our winged friends. We’ll take a walk in the meadow and make some butterfly art. Patrons over 10 years of age must be accompanied by a child.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

12:00 noon
Old Log Cabin
Meet Rosa and Wanda at the Visitor Center to view a real log cabin. It was made from hand hewn logs with a fireplace made from mountain stone.