Stone Door, Savage Gulf
Beersheba Springs, TN
A narrow crack in the sandstone rim that leads down into the Savage Gulf wilderness, reached by a short flat walk from the ranger station. Bring water and sturdy shoes, and allow time for the overlooks.
Stone Door is a rock cleft on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau in Savage Gulf, about 3 m (10 ft) wide and 30 m (100 ft) deep according to Tennessee State Parks, and was once used as a passage. Savage Gulf covers 15,590 acres (about 6,300 hectares) in Grundy and Sequatchie counties. Three streams, Big Creek, Collins River and Savage Creek, have cut deep gorges ("gulfs") there, dropping more than 240 m (800 ft). There are old-growth and second-growth mixed hardwood forests, wildflowers in Collins Gulf and more than 80 km (50 miles) of hiking trails.
According to Friends of South Cumberland, the Stone Door Trail is an easy hike of about 3.2 km (2 miles) round trip. After about 0.3 km (0.2 mile) comes Laurel Gulf Overlook, and after about 1.4 km (0.9 mile) Stone Door, with viewpoints over Big Creek Gulf. Allow two to three hours and bring water and sturdy footwear. Dogs are allowed on a leash.
- Nearest town
- Beersheba Springs, TN
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 35.4420, -85.5600
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. Hot in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Savage Station Campground (primitive)Campsite1 mi from Stone Door, Savage Gulf
- Campsite #5Campsite1 mi from Stone Door, Savage Gulf
- Campsite #6Campsite1 mi from Stone Door, Savage Gulf
- Campsite #3Campsite1 mi from Stone Door, Savage Gulf
- Fall Creek Falls State Park CampgroundCampsite19 mi from Stone Door, Savage GulfTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking water
- Hunter's Check Station Camping AreaCampsite21 mi from Stone Door, Savage GulfTentsCaravans
All campsites in Tennessee · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Stone Door, Savage Gulf?
Stone Door, Savage Gulf is in Beersheba Springs, TN, at GPS 35.4420, -85.5600. It is about 26 mi from Sewanee.
Can you camp near Stone Door, Savage Gulf?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Savage Station Campground (primitive), about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 34 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Stone Door, Savage Gulf?
Places worth a stop nearby: Foster Falls (19 mi), Fall Creek Falls State Park (19 mi), Rock Island State Park (26 mi) and Point Park, Lookout Mountain (33 mi).
When is the best time to visit Stone Door, Savage Gulf?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)