If you’re new to hiking or the Tennessee area, I highly suggest looking into the Tennessee State Park guided hiking tours.
A couple years ago I decided to give a Tennessee State Park guided hike a try. And it did not disappoint. The hike was great, the guide was very knowledgeable, and we even got to do things you normally aren’t allowed to do in these parks. So, here’s my thoughts on this Tennessee State Park activity.
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Tennessee State Parks
Tennessee State Parks have been around since 1937. They were started as a way to preserve the natural beauties of Tennessee and make it possible for anyone to get out and enjoy nature. Not only do they preserve nature and help build community, they also preserve historical remnants to serve as reminders for us to build upon.
Today there are 57 parks. Harrison Bay State Park is the oldest with 40 miles of lakeshore on its 1,200 acres. While Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of the largest and most visited with nearly 30,000 acres. Our guided hike took place in the newest state park, Savage Gulf, which used to be part of the South Cumberland State Park. Savage Gulf State Park has nearly 19,000 acres, 60 miles of hiking trails, campgrounds, waterfalls, and breathtaking views. And it’s home to the Great Stone Door, which is where our guided hiking tour takes us.
Tennessee State Park Events
Tennessee State Parks host numerous events. From guided hikes to group canoe trips and everything in between. You never know what events you might find. Be sure to check out their events list and find some fun at a Tennessee State Park near you.
Some events have a price tag, such as this night hike we did, but some are free. The night hike cost $10 per person which I believe to be fair considering it’s outside the park’s operating hours so we really got a special treat.
The Guided Night Hike at The Great Stone Door
Alright, on to my personal experience. I really enjoyed this guided night hike. As the general public is not allowed to hike at night at the Great Stone Door, it was really neat to be granted permission to do so this one time. It was a chilly night in November of 2021. We met at the beginning of the trail and set off on our 2 mile round trip night hike. The park ranger who led the guided hike was very knowledgeable and paused along the trail to point out several interesting things, share facts and stories, and ask trivia questions. Overall it was an immersive experience beyond what I was expecting.
The best part though, was making it out to the overlooks. Of course, you can’t see the beautiful views here at night. But you can definitely enjoy the night sky. It’s dark enough in this area that you can even see the Milky Way. We got to sit in the pitch black for a while in almost complete silence at two different overlooks. The longer you sit staring at the sky, the more stars you’ll see. It was really a great experience that I highly recommend. Typically this hike is offered once a month so be sure to check out the events page if you want to sign up for this one.
What to Expect on a Guided Tennessee State Park Hiking Tour
For the night hike that we did, it was limited to 10 people. So we ended up having a small group of 8 people hiking. This made the tour a bit more intimate and easier to ask questions or make comments with the guide. Not all events are limited to this small number of people though. When picking out a guided Tennessee State Park hiking tour, note the details of each event listed under the details. If something is missing, there’s always a phone number to call and ask (which I had to do).
Be sure to pay attention to what they tell you to bring and be prepared. For the night hike, they ask you to wear good hiking boots and bring a headlamp. You can bring just a flashlight of course, but a headlamp is easier for hiking so that you can leave your hands free for balance. It’s also suggested that you have a headlamp with a red light option. Although not required, it’s helpful as the red light helps you to keep your night vision stronger as you walk from point to point to the stargazing spots.
Closing Thoughts
Having been to the Great Stone Door once before, it was great to experience it again but at night. However, if you’ve never been to this park before, I highly suggest visiting in the daytime first so you can really see the sights. And so you can climb down the stairs through the stone door. This tour does not go down through the stone door as it’s too treacherous in the dark.
If you’re still curious about this experience, watch the YouTube video of this hike and get a glimpse of what it’s like.
I can’t wait to try a free day hike sometime. I will of course share that experience with you. But until then, have you attended a Tennessee State Park event? If so, what was it and what did you think? Let me know in the comments below. Until next time, enjoy exploring Chatt!
More Ways to Start Hiking in Tennessee:
- Things to Pack for a Hike + Essential Hiking Gear Checklist
- Beginner Chattanooga Hikes
- Chattanooga’s Best Hikes with Views
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