Fiery Gizzard North trailhead
In Tracy City, the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead at Grundy Forest State Natural Area provides you with access to the Grundy Forest Day Loop Trail, which, in turn, takes you to the CCC Camp Interpretive Loop; the northern end of the Fiery Gizzard Trail and Dog Hole Trail; along with many beautiful waterfalls, swimming holes and backcountry camping at the Hemlock Grove/Grundy Forest Campground.
The trailhead is about three miles east of the park's Information & Welcome Center. Take US Highway 41 east from the Center, about 2.5 miles. Turn right just after the large brown park sign, at 3rd Street (the street flanked by a tire store and Sequatchee Valley Electric Co-op). Follow 3rd Street past the elementary school to Marion Street, on your right. Follow Marion Street two blocks, then right onto Fiery Gizzard Road. The parking area and trailhead are on your left.
Moderate
Black Canyon Cascade
One of the most picturesque sites in the Fiery Gizzard, Black Canyon is technically a cascade, not a waterfall, but still an amazing sight, as two creeks come together and are squeezed through a narrow rock opening. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard North trailhead.
Moderate
Blue Hole Falls
This pristine mountain creek waterfall is in an awe-inspiing setting, with a good swimming hole. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead.
Difficult
Fiery Gizzard Trail, a 2-day Adventure
Ranked as one of the top 25 backpacking trails in the United States by Backpacker magazine, "The Gizz" features cascading streams, numerous waterfalls, panoramic overlooks, extremely rocky gorges, gentle slopes and lush woodlands. Use either the Fiery Gizzard North or Fiery Gizzard South trailheads to begin this adventure!
Easy
Grundy Forest Campground
Five sites and one group campsite, only a half mile hike from the Fiery Gizzard North trailhead. Online reservations required at Reserve.tnstateparks.com.
Moderate
Grundy Forest Loop/CCC Camp
A moderate 3-mile trek with swimming holes, history, geology, giant hemlocks and cascading streams with an optional 1/3-mile walk through the site of a 1930s CCC camp. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead.
Moderate
Hanes Hole Falls
The first named waterfall of Fiery Gizzard Creek, on its way into Fiery Gizzard Gorge, along the Grundy Forest loop trail. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead.
Difficult
Little Cove Campground
This campground is near the mid-point of the Fiery Gizzard Trail, and a great place to spend the night if you're hiking the Gizz during shorter fall or winter days. Be sure to make campsite reservations with Tennessee State Parks before you go!
Easy
Schoolhouse Falls
This small waterfall has the remains of a moonshiners' still at its base -- an easy quarter-mile walk from the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead, if you bear left at the first trail intersection, about 100 feet from the trailhead kiosk.
Moderate
Sycamore Falls
This is a great summer swimming hole on Big Fiery Gizzard Creek. Access this adventure from the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead.
