Trails between gorge, water and rock

Prentice Cooper State Forest is located in Marion County in southeastern Tennessee, along the scenic Tennessee River Gorge. The forest has 35 miles of trails and includes the southern section of the Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail. In addition to hiking, visitors can go birdwatching, rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding and hunting. OHV use is limited to designated areas.

The trails vary in length and features. The trail to the base of Foster Falls is a 0.6-mile out-and-back hike with a moderate incline, rocky sections and a suspension bridge over Little Gizzard Creek; check trail conditions beforehand. The Little Cedar Mountain Loop is 3.4 miles long and offers views of Nickajack Lake. For Snooper’s Rock, a 5.9-mile out-and-back route follows the Cumberland Trail; shorter routes are also possible. The overlook offers panoramic views of the Tennessee River Gorge. The Pot Point Loop runs for more than 11 miles through the gorge. On the Fiery Gizzard Trail, managed by South Cumberland State Park, streams, waterfalls, rocky gorges and sweeping panoramic views shape the trail experience. The Short Creek - Mullens Creek Loop has challenging, uneven terrain and regular creek crossings, which can vary depending on the season.

Nature, climbing and water experiences

Denny Cove in Marion County is part of South Cumberland State Park and offers approximately 150 climbing routes. Another option for off-road adventures is Adventure Off Road Park and Nature Center: The property covers more than 600 acres and has over 120 off-road trails ranging from easy to extreme. The trail inventory may change.

Nickajack Lake is a scenic, 46-mile stretch of the Tennessee River in Marion County. It’s suitable for kayaking, fishing for bass and catfish, and boating. Sequatchie Cave offers a very different kind of nature experience: This 133-acre natural area in Marion County is one of only two known sites worldwide for the Royal Snail (Marstonia ogmorhaphe), which is listed as endangered under U.S. federal law.

Local history and culture

In South Pittsburg, the National Cornbread Festival combines local tradition with tastings every year on the last full weekend in April: At Cornbread Alley, visitors can sample different cornbread recipes. If you’d like to plan your trip around it, check the date for the year in question. The Princess Theatre has been a landmark of the local community since the silent film era. At the South Pittsburg Heritage Museum, hundreds of historic objects tell the story of local history—including old photographs, a gas stove made in South Pittsburg in the 1920s, and locally made cast-iron cookware.

Chapel on the Hill is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the South Pittsburg Historic District. It can be used for weddings, receptions, family reunions and award ceremonies; confirm availability before planning an event. The Jasper Museum of History displays, among other things, Civil War artifacts and traditional quilts.

The Children’s Holocaust Memorial features an authentic German railcar as its centerpiece, displaying eleven million paper clips inside. Self-guided and student-led tours are available for the Paper Clip Project. The Marion County Veterans Memorial Park honors veterans of all wars and peacetime service. The region’s transportation history is also part of its story: The Marion Memorial Bridge connected Chattanooga and Jasper as part of the western section of the historic Dixie Highway.

More topics to help plan your trip

An exhibit announced on March 10, 2025, at South Cumberland State Park explores the history of Lone Rock Stockade and so-called convict leasing. Before your trip, check whether the exhibit is still on display. At Hales Bar Dam, the dam’s history and distillery tours are featured; check current hours and activities with Dam Whiskey Co beforehand.

Sweetens Cove Golf Club releases golf passes for the following calendar year each fall. Events are announced throughout the year and can be booked through the website. Check dates and availability there if you’re planning your trip around them.

Discover more destinations

Monteagle, Kimball, Jefferson County, Crockett County, Coffee, Dekalb, Rutherford, Cumberland County

For the overview of the wider region: Tennessee.