Hiking to Stone Door and the surrounding features is easy, making this spot a popular middle Tennessee destination.
I had heard so much about the Great Stone Door and what a great place it is to visit a few years ago. So, I finally made a point to check it out. I was blown away by the beauty of this spot, especially when it’s blanketed in fall color. Now I’ve been a few times and even took my family here while they were visiting from Florida. This hike is easy and appeals to people of all ages. Keep reading to plan your visit to Stone Door.
Stone Door at Savage Gulf State Park
The Great Stone Door is part of the Savage Gulf State Natural Area which is home to 55 miles of trails throughout the new Savage Gulf State Park. The Great Stone Door part of the park is right at the edge of Beersheba Springs, TN which is about an hour and a half drive from Chattanooga. The Stone Door itself is part of the bluff that lines the Savage Gulf. It is a crack that starts from the top of the bluff and resembles a door that is cracked open. Stone Door is 100 feet deep and you can walk down it via the stone steps that have been placed all the way down the crevice.
There are plenty of parking spots here at the park but beware that this is a popular destination and fills up quickly. As usual, I suggest arriving as early as possible. Camping and hiking are the most common activities here. There are nice restrooms by the trailheads and even a little gift shop in the ranger station.
Savage Gulf State Park
Savage Gulf State Park is the newest Tennessee State Park bringing the number to 57 state parks in this beautiful state. The Savage Gulf State Park now manages the Savage Gulf State Natural Area. This area used to be managed by the South Cumberland State Park which manages many areas within middle Tennessee on the Cumberland Plateau. Removing Savage Gulf State Natural Area from this park and creating a new one allows major improvements to be made. Such as a visitor’s center and RV campground to be added in the near future.
The Stone Door Trail
The hike out to the Great Stone Door from the parking lot is only one mile. It’s fairly wide and flat but flows with some gradual ups and downs. Be careful, there are many tree roots and rocks to trip over. The first part of the trail (first photo below) is asphalt all the way to the Laurel Gulf Overlook. After the overlook, the trail turns into packed dirt. There are a few small bridges to cross little creeks along the way (last photo below). Overall, this is an easy hike to a spectacular view. Be sure to learn the trails from the park map.
Laurel Gulf Overlook
Laurel Gulf Overlook is just less than a quarter of a mile down the Stone Door Trail. It’s the quickest and easiest view to get to and I cannot recommend it enough. Around the last couple weeks of October and into November, the fall foliage is at peak, and you can truly see its beauty. The overlook is a nice, wooden platform that overlooks, well, Laurel Gulf.
The most unique part of this overlook is the “color blind” viewfinder. This is 1 of 13 viewfinders of its kind in Tennessee. They have been installed all over the state to help people with red-green color blindness be able to see the beautiful fall colors throughout the state. Grab a box of tissues and watch this heartfelt video about these special viewfinders.
Stone Door Overlooks
Once you reach Stone Door, there are numerous bluffs to explore. You can see miles in many directions by stopping at each bluff area. I love how there is more than one bluff spot to enjoy. So even when the park is busy, you can still find a good spot to sit and rest and enjoy the view.
The Great Stone Door
Of course, we can’t forget the namesake, the Great Stone Door. You will find the Stone Door to the right of the trail. When you initially get to the bluffs, follow the trail to the right. You’ll come to a wooden bridge that goes to one of the bluffs. Instead of crossing the bridge, turn right and go down beside it. Once you reach the bottom, the Stone Door will be there right in front of you.
This will be the hardest part of your hike, if you choose to descend through the crevice. I highly recommend hiking down to the bottom though because the Great Stone Door looks more magnificent from this perspective. Of course, you will have to hike back up also. Use caution as the stone steps vary in size and width. Sometimes they may even be a little slick from rain or the dust from the trail. At the bottom the trail continues down to the gulf below. I have not hiked down further, but at a later date I might have the chance to explore these trails at greater length.
Laurel Falls
Back at the trailhead, you have the option to go right for Stone Door or left for Laurel Falls. The loop trail is nearly a third of a mile long. Laurel Falls is at the lowest point of this downhill/uphill loop trail. The 25ft waterfall can be viewed up close (be careful not to get too close to the edge!) and from a wooden observation deck a little ways above it.
Start at the trail’s beginning which is clearly marked. The loop will end just to the left of this trailhead behind the ranger’s station. The wooden stairs (first photo below) are a rather steep descent. Going back up on the other side is a gradual trail climb. I’ve seen some people doing this loop backwards. I have yet to try it this way, but I can say you’ll be going up and down the same amount. Just choose whether you want a steeper (right side) or more gradual (left side) route.
Summing It Up
I highly recommend adding Stone Door to your fall hiking bucket list. Of course, this would be a beautiful hike any time of year with all the overlooks, waterfall, and Stone Door views. Even though it’s a long drive out to this park, I cannot recommend it enough. Also, if it’s still fall time when you go, definitely take the back highway roads instead of the interstate to get there. You’ll see more beautiful fall colors this way.
Be sure to watch the video from my most recent trip here with the family. And here’s the video from my first fall trip to Stone Door. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve visited here before and what your thoughts are. I have yet to explore more trails in Savage Gulf State Park, but I’ll be sure to take you along with me when I do. Until then, have fun exploring Chatt!
We live in Tennessee and only 20 minutes from this park. And we have lived here for 2 years and haven’t found the right time to go in the fall to see the beautiful colors.
That’s awesome! Peak leaf colors are usually a week long and typically it happens sometime in the last two weeks of October. If there hasn’t been much rain recently (like this year) the colors might not be too vibrant. My family and I went last year on the 15th of October and it was almost peak. This year is predicted to be peak around the week of the 22nd of October, so about the same time. Hopefully we get some more rain soon so the colors show more vibrantly!