Find Winter Adventure Hiking at Greeter Falls

Greeter Falls is a popular summertime destination. The upper and lower waterfalls are great for staying cool in the summer heat. But what about Greeter Falls in winter? I took the opportunity to visit Greeter Falls when there was ice and snow all around. Continue reading to learn how my experience went and tips for your own winter adventure at Greeter Falls.

Greeter Falls and Savage Gulf State Park

Greeter Falls is located in one of Tennessee’s newest state parks, Savage Gulf. This park encompasses the Savage Gulf State Natural Area of the Cumberland Plateau near Altamont, TN. There are various points of interest here with numerous trailheads, hiking trails, camping spots, and waterfalls. Greeter Falls consists of upper and lower falls. The upper falls is only 15 ft tall while the lower falls is 50 ft tall. A blue hole and Boardtree Falls, a 30 ft tall waterfall, are also reachable from the same trailhead in this section of the park.

Hiking in Tennessee snow and ice is quite different from other mountainous areas that remain covered in snow and ice most of winter. Snow and ice doesn’t happen very often around here so being prepared to hike in such conditions is key. Since it’s a rarity, most hiking trails are not properly suited for hiking in this weather. Most trails are rocky which is a great canvas for ice to build upon making very slick steps, sometimes impossible to navigate. When choosing to hike in these conditions, make sure you choose a trail you already know very well or make sure it will have navigable terrain before you embark on the hike. Read my other blog post for more tips to help you prepare for winter hiking in the Chattanooga area.

You can purchase microspikes for your hiking boots to aid in traction on the ice. But around here, you won’t need those very often. There are also winter hiking boots which have better grip in the ice and snow than regular hiking boots. I just have regular hiking boots and even though they have an aggressive tread, they are not suitable for icy hikes. They still slide on ice, which is extremely dangerous. So if you’re like me and only have a regular hiking boot, I would highly suggest staying away from icy rock step trails if at all possible.

When to Visit Greeter Falls in Winter

There’s two times you should hike at Greeter Falls in winter. These two times are for different reasons though. But before you go, check to make sure they’re open first. Sometimes they will be closed due to hazardous conditions.

Mild Winter

Let’s start with when it’s not snowy or icy. If the temperatures are mild, you’ll only see water instead of ice. This will make the hike down to see Greeter Falls much safer. The benefit of hiking to see the falls in the winter time is that they will most likely be huge. Winter is our rainy season which means the waterfalls are well fed. Plus cooler temperatures make hiking a lot easier. And winter means you can see better through the branches of trees that have lost their leaves.

Snowy and Icy Winter

The other time to visit Greeter Falls in winter is when it is snowy and icy. However you cannot trek down to see either upper or lower Greeter Falls. You can hike down to the split of the upper and lower falls trail, but the sign says not to hike further if ice is present. Even though you won’t be able to see the waterfalls, you can still enjoy this winter wonderland hike. You’ll pass by a bluff that’s usually dripping with water which will now be transformed into an icicle covered wall. Be careful not to hike directly under it or on the ice covered ground. Always find alternate routes to avoid iced over trails.

My Winter Adventure Hiking at Greeter Falls

This is the first decision you must make right at the trailhead. Go right for the Blue Hole or left for the waterfalls. I started by hiking down the half mile Blue Hole Trail. I didn’t make it all the way to the blue hole though due to downed trees. But I really enjoyed the frozen leaves and trees all around. It was later in the afternoon so the sun was getting lower in the sky. This allowed for beams of light to hit the frozen rain on the leaves and make them sparkle and shine in a rainbow of colors. This alone made the trip worth it to me.

After capturing countless frozen raindrop photos, I headed back to the trailhead. From here I went the other direction (left at the trailhead) towards the waterfalls. I only managed to hike .7 of a mile because this is where the split is. As I said before, you can’t hike further past the split when ice is present. But this section of the hike was also worth it. I got to enjoy the huge icicle covered bluff that was constantly dripping and breaking off in the sunlight. The icicles were all so unique, I even found a ball-shaped one on a stone underneath the bluff. I was able to catch glimpses of the blue water below through the trees from the split. And it was amazing to watch the steam rise from the creek that trickles down the mountain along the trail down to the split.

Since my time here was limited this day, I didn’t get a chance to try hiking to Boardtree Falls. Honestly, I have yet to visit this waterfall in any season. But I’ve been told by many people that it’s a must-see waterfall while you’re at Greeter Falls. I’m not sure if you can hike to it in icy conditions, but it might be worth checking out. You can get to Boardtree Falls by hiking down the Greeter Falls Trail to start. After a little ways you’ll come to the split that tells you to continue on to Boardtree Falls or descend towards Greeter Falls.

Another place I have yet to try is the campground. Greeter Falls Campground is close to the trailhead allowing you to make the most of your visit to the Savage Gulf State Park. And, they are open to camping all year long. They have RV sites, tent sites, and yurts available. When I try this place, I’ll update this post and let you know how it is.

Conclusion

In the summer months, Greeter Falls is packed. But in the winter, you just might have the whole place to yourself. And whether it’s snowy and icy, or more mild weather, you should definitely visit Greeter Falls in winter. Both types of winter visits will create vastly different experiences. And if you want to visit in the summer time for a completely different adventure, read my blog post about visiting Greeter Falls and Foster Falls in one Day. To see more about my winter hike at Greeter Falls, watch the YouTube video.

• Tips for Exploring in Chattanooga Snow and Ice
• Chattanooga Winter Hiking Tips
• Best Winter Hike at Laurel Falls

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