WINTER ADVENTURES

Because much of the South Cumberland region is at a higher elevation (around 2000 feet above sea level!) the winter weather here can be magical.  Our elevation puts us just high enough in the atmosphere to drop the average temperature by five or six degrees.

That may not sound like much, but when it’s 35 and raining in Nashville, Chattanooga or Atlanta, it’s likely to be snowing up here on “the Mountain”, and if you live in one of those areas and are hoping for some true winter weather, a visit to Tennessee’s South Cumberland presents a great opportunity to give the kids (or yourselves) a quick “snow fix”!

Even if it’s not snowing, winter is a fantastic time to get out and hike, because our forests are bare of leaves and you can see so much further from our hundreds of stunning overlooks.  The “lay of the land” is wonderfully revealed in the crisp, clear wintertime air, and our streams and waterfalls can be viewed from many new viewpoints that simply don’t exist in the leafy green of summer.  Savage Gulf, South Cumberland and the new Head of the Crow State Parks, all within the South Cumberland region, provide a fantastic variety of hiking options, from shorter, easy trails to epic adventures on longer and more challenging routes.  Great trails can also be found on the “domain”, or campus, of the University of the South and enjoy a day “on the hunt” at Baggenstoss Farms’ Birds & Clays.

Our region is dotted with hundreds of wonderful, cozy cabins you can book online via many of the major short-term rental sites, such as AirBnB, VRBO, as well as local sites, like South Cumberland Getaways. Nothing beats having a peaceful, warm and cozy place to return to after an exciting day of hiking in our beautiful wilderness areas.

Wintertime is holiday time, too!  The nine quaint and authentic rural towns that comprise our region put on their best lights and colors to celebrate the season.  In particular, Monteagle and Sewanee go all-out to create that special winter holiday experience, but even our smaller towns welcome you with lights, special events, and cozy accommodations.

If you’re on the hunt for some unique and whimsical gifts, or just shopping for yourself, winter is a great time to visit our dozens of locally-owned galleries, studios and shops.

And, of course, The Caverns — our spectacular underground live music venue in Pelham, has great performances throughout the winter, as the Caverns are always a comfortable 59º inside, no matter the season. There are also great cave tours you can take, year-round.

SPRING ADVENTURES

As magical as fall colors are here in Tennessee’s South Cumberland, springtime puts on its own spectacular show!  In late March and early April, our valleys and mountaintop come alive with some of the best wildflower displays in the Southeast, and our dozens of waterfalls are typically at their peak flow.

The arrival of spring wildflowers is celebrated each year by the Trails and Trilliums wildflower festival, organized by our Friends of the Parks. Trails and Trilliums features expertly guided hikes, workshops and seminars, an opportunity for visitors to meet some of the region’s leaders in environment and conservation, and learn from the experts about our area’s great Nature!

Springtime also means zipline time at Bigfoot Adventure, one part of Baggenstoss Farms, a 500-acre, multifaceted family-owned attraction that includes wedding, retreat and event venues, cabins, camping, an RV park, disc golf, hunting and many other activities.

If “off-road” is your middle name, you’ll want to bring your ride to the Coalmont OHV Park, featuring over 1,700 acres of outstanding trails for all skill levels, with diverse terrain that includes rocky hills, steep inclines, and wide-open trails, providing an unforgettable off-road experience.

Is there a history buff in your entourage?  If so, they will want to check out our dozens of storied historic sites that hark back to the area’s 19th century coal and timber industries, its Swiss immigrant community, involvement in the Civil War, and much more.  Our History Trail Guide will take you to these sites and stories of our historical heritage.

In late April, the National Cornbread Festival takes place just down the road in nearby South Pittsburg — with great events, entertainment, activities for kids and, of course, cornbread — to delight everyone in your family.

And, of course, springtime beckons you to check out the 150+ miles of hiking trails in any of our three State Parks, and on the campus of the University of the South.  The weather is generally sunny and mild, and the spring colors and views are dazzling!

SUMMER ADVENTURES

Ah, Summer!  For over 150 years, folks have flocked to Tennessee’s South Cumberland because it is one of the coolest places (literally!) in the Southeastern United States.  Summer temperatures here average 6 to 8 degrees cooler than the lower elevations, which turns a sweltering 90-degree day in Nashville or Atlanta into a pleasant, mid-80s and delightfully breezy experience up here at 2000 feet above the sea.

Ever take a swim beneath a picturesque waterfall in a wild canyon?  You can do that in several iconic places across Tennessee’s South Cumberland.  Legendary waterfall “swimming holes” can be found at Blue Hole Falls, Sycamore Falls, and Foster Falls along the famed Fiery Gizzard Trail in South Cumberland State Park.

Generally, early summer is the best time to plan your warm-weather hike in Tennessee’s South Cumberland.  Each of our three State Parks offer unique trails of varying lengths for hikers of every age and ability.  If you prefer a paved trail experience, 12 miles of the Mountain Goat Trail are open and ready for your biking or walking adventure.  The Mountain Goat Trail is a rails-to-trails project that follows the route of the historic, 19th Century Mountain Goat Railroad that once took coal and timber to market, and carried passengers, too! The Mountain Goat Trail is in the process of being extended, and ultimately will span nearly 40 miles of Tennessee’s South Cumberland region from Cowan to Palmer.

The Caverns opens up its magnificent outdoor amphitheater venue in the warmer months, offering a full schedule of live music both at the amphitheater and inside its underground cave music venue.

Every July, the Swiss Heritage Festival takes place at the historic Stoker-Stampfli Farm in Gruetli-Laager, a town formed by Swiss immigrants looking for a fresh start in what was then part of the American frontier.

The Monteage Mountain Market for Arts & Crafts is one of the oldest summer events on the Mountain, and a not-to-be-missed opportunity to find one of a kind items that express a unique creative statement.

Throughout the summer, things are hoppin’ in Sewanee, including its Summer Music Festival, Shakerag Workshops, the prestigious Sewanee Writers’ Conference, and the popular Sewanee Angel Park summer concert series.

FALL ADVENTURES

As our year in Tennessee’s South Cumberland comes full circle, fall offers perhaps the most dazzling display of outdoor color in a less hectic, less crowded environment than you might find in some of the more traditional “leaf-peeping” areas.  Our dozens of overlooks and miles of pristine wilderness trails take your love of fall colors to a whole new level!  The best leaf-peeping is found in Savage Gulf, South Cumberland and Head of the Crow State Parks. Savage Gulf also features a special set of mounted binoculars that allow color-blind persons to see the leaves in their actual colors.

Fall is a great time to enjoy a Friday night steak dinner at Hank’s Corner Grille in Tracy City, or a fine dining experience at High Point in Monteagle, in the home that was said to have been frequented by famous gangster Al Capone.  For something more casual, try breakfast at Hwy 56 in Altamont, lunch at Rosie’s Farmhouse Kitchen in Tracy City, or Simply Southern in Pelham — or grab some sandwiches and enjoy them on the outdoor deck, upstairs at Shenanigans in Sewanee.

For the kids, a visit to the Cove Creek Farm in Monteagle, just west of I-24, will be a big hit.  Open weekends 10-6, Cove Creek Farm has a huge pirate ship the aspiring young pirates in your family can conquer, plus an indoor play facility. The entire family can tour this working farm and take home some great memories. You can also score some fresh-from-the-vine pumpkins during Cove Creek’s fall harvest season.

Looking for some self-indulgent relaxation?  Tennessee’s South Cumberland is home to a number of excellent spa and fitness providers who can help you return from your South Cumberland vacation feeling refreshed, relaxed and recharged!

Speaking of self-indulgent, who wouldn’t love a visit to the Dutch Maid Bakery, a century-old shop that makes a plethora of sweet and tasty treats, right on-site. You can watch the bakers at work, especially in the fall, as they work on holiday culinary creations — all for sale in the bakery’s shop — tasty confections that will make your festivities even more merry!

SO, MYTH BUSTED:

It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit Tennessee’s South Cumberland. They’re all magical and special. There’s something terrific in every season that will keep you coming back again and again to the Mountains of Adventure!