Fiery Gizzard State Park

Our Mission

To preserve, protect, and share Fiery Gizzard State Park's natural and cultural resources while providing safe, quality outdoor experiences for all who visit.

Our Vision

To be a thriving sanctuary that engages, enriches, and inspires Tennesseans and visitors alike, ensuring that the wild, scenic, and historic values of the Cumberland Plateau are protected for current and future generations.

Our Story

Fiery Gizzard State Park, formerly a cornerstone of the South Cumberland Recreation Area system, officially became its re-dedicated in October 2025. Spanning approximately 7,811 acres across Grundy and Marion counties, our park is a testament to the power of reclamation. What was once a landscape shaped by logging, mining, and moonshining has been transformed through decades of dedicated stewardship into a protected haven of biodiversity. Today, Fiery Gizzard is renowned for its rugged gorges, world-class hiking trails, and deep historical roots. From the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) foundations and industrial-era coke ovens to the ancient Native American rock house sites, our park is a tapestry of trails and tales. We believe that our natural and cultural resources provide vital context to our lives. By protecting these lands, we ensure that the beauty of the Cumberland Plateau remains a place where adventure, discovery, and tranquility intertwine. We invite you to join us in this mission, helping us tell the full story of this remarkable landscape as we carry our work forward together.

Fiery Gizzard State Park is more than just a destination; it is a landscape reborn. Through the dedication of our staff and the vital support of our volunteers, we transform and protect a diverse wilderness that encompasses rugged gorges, historic industrial sites, and some of the highest biodiversity in North America.

Our park accomplishes its mission through three primary pillars:

Conservation: We actively restore and protect our 7,811 acres of natural beauty. This includes managing over 20 miles of world-class trails—such as the legendary Fiery Gizzard Trail—and safeguarding habitats for rare and endangered plant and animal species.

Historical Preservation: We honor the past by maintaining and interpreting our rich cultural heritage. Volunteers help us preserve historic landmarks, including the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) sites, 19th-century coke ovens, and remnants of pioneer life, ensuring these stories remain accessible to current and future generations.

Resource-Based Recreation: We provide safe, quality outdoor experiences for all. From maintaining world-renowned sport climbing routes at Foster Falls and Denny Cove to facilitating community recreation at Grundy Lakes, we work to ensure that every visitor can connect with nature in a way that is welcoming, inclusive, and environmentally responsible.

How You Can Help

By volunteering with us, you aren't just completing a task; you are becoming a steward of Tennessee’s natural and cultural resources. Whether you are helping us maintain our iconic trail systems, assisting with educational programming, or helping to preserve our historic structures, your efforts directly impact the health of our park and the quality of the experience for thousands of visitors.