Is Fiery Gizzard State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Fiery Gizzard State Park operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Fiery Gizzard State Park before I book?

Yes! Fiery Gizzard State Park has 3 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Fiery Gizzard State Park?

Fiery Gizzard State Park does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Fiery Gizzard State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Fiery Gizzard State Park. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Fiery Gizzard State Park?

Fiery Gizzard State Park offers: Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Fiery Gizzard State Park?

Popular activities at Fiery Gizzard State Park include Hiking, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Fiery Gizzard State Park

4 reviews

Top 20% in TNFall

Scenic ViewsGreat Hiking

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Tennessee

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

1,972 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Pets Allowed

ElectricUp to 34 ft

Book on Tennessee State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,972 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Pets Allowed

ElectricUp to 34 ft

Book on Tennessee State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Fiery Gizzard State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Primitive backcountry sites noted (25+ sites reported in secondary sources) with picnic tables and fire pits. Sources indicate no running water,...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Itinio

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Fiery Gizzard State Park

35.2577, -85.7889

Weather at Fiery Gizzard State Park

Best Time to Camp at Fiery Gizzard State Park

Fall brings the best conditions from mid-October into early November. Daytime highs settle in the 50s to 70s°F, mornings drop into the 30s and 40s, and leaf color peaks across the Cumberland Plateau. Stream flow stays strong enough for swimming, and insect pressure drops off. Weekdays stay quiet, but weekend parking fills quickly. Winter backpacking is possible. One user reported a successful January trip with snow-dusted scenery and near-total solitude.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 20% in TN

Mid-Oct to early Nov offers best conditions and peak leaf color across the plateau.

Planning Tips

About Fiery Gizzard State Park

Fiery Gizzard State Park sits in Tennessee's South Cumberland region at 1,972 feet, offering primitive tent camping near one of the state's most scenic trail systems. The campground serves backpackers and tent campers who want direct access to waterfalls, swimming holes, and the rugged Fiery Gizzard Trail. More than 25 primitive backcountry sites line the trail, each with a picnic table and fire ring but no running water or electricity.

Primarily primitive/backcountry campsites (25+ primitive sites reported) suitable for tent/backpacking and boondocking; not set up for RV camping.

Weather and SeasonsFall brings the best conditions from mid-October into early November. Daytime highs settle in the 50s to 70s°F, mornings drop into the 30s and 40s, and leaf color peaks across the Cumberland Plateau. Stream flow stays strong enough for swimming, and insect pressure drops off. Weekdays stay quiet, but weekend parking fills quickly. Winter backpacking is possible. One user reported a successful January trip with snow-dusted scenery and near-total solitude.

Natural Features and SceneryThe Fiery Gizzard Trail cuts through dense hardwood forest and crosses moss-covered boulders, passing multiple waterfalls and rocky overlooks into the gorge below. Foster Falls sits close to the trailhead and draws the most visitors. Deeper along the trail, creek pools collect in natural basins between rock formations, cold enough for swimming after a day's hike. The terrain is rocky and sometimes confusing where the trail scrambles over exposed stone. Views open up at overlooks, but most of the hike stays under forest canopy.

Geological RegionSouth Cumberland

Scenic ViewsWaterfall views (including Foster Falls), streamside pools and scenic overlooks along the Fiery Gizzard Trail.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsItinio (official campsite listing: https://tsp.itinio.com/fiery-gizzard/campsites)

Best CampsitesSites 22 and 24 at the related South Cumberland campground get mentioned in reviews. Site 22 is large and private. Site 24 works better on busy weekends. Along the Fiery Gizzard Trail itself, primitive sites number in the 25-plus range, all with picnic tables and fire pits. Reservations help during fall weekends.

Amenities available

Primarily primitive/backcountry campsites with picnic tables and fire pits. The site lacks running water, showers, flush toilets, electrical/water/sewer hookups and a dump station.

Electricity hookups

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Electric hookups26 of 28 sites (93%)

Up to 34 ft vehicles

Activities you can enjoy

Popular for hiking and backpacking on the Fiery Gizzard Trail (including a roughly 13-mile stretch with multiple waterfalls and overlooks), swimming in natural creek pools and waterfall viewing. Trails offer diverse, often steep and rocky terrain.

Hiking

Swimming

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsTrails are frequently described as rocky, challenging and in places precarious; users advise packing ample water and being prepared for rugged trail conditions. No official information on cell coverage or water hazards provided.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

0.0

4 reviews

Limited Reviews

Fiery Gizzard State Park has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, praising scenic trails, waterfalls, and swimming holes; users note well-maintained trails but also challenging/rocky terrain.

Review Summaries

Based on 4 reviews

What Campers Love

Beautiful, diverse hiking (waterfalls, overlooks), excellent swimming holes, well-kept trails and rewarding views.

Based on 4 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Backpackers and serious day-hikers who can carry their own water will get the most out of the 13-mile trail system here. Fall weekdays are the sweet spot: leaf color peaks mid-October through early November, crowds thin out, and Foster Falls is worth the trip on its own.

Skip if

Car campers expecting showers, flush toilets, or any hookups will find nothing of the sort. The 25+ sites are fully primitive, potable water is absent, trail navigation gets genuinely confusing on the rocky scramble sections, and weekend parking fills fast.

Nearby Campgrounds

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Savage Gulf State Natural Area

Tennessee State Parks

Venture into one of Tennessee's most dramatic landscapes, where deep forested gorges, thundering waterfalls, and towering sandstone cliffs create an unforgettable backcountry experience. Savage Gulf State Natural Area beckons serious hikers and primitive campers with its extensive trail network, crowned by the legendary Stone Door formation that opens to breathtaking ridge-top vistas. With well-marked paths, helpful on-site staff, and basic facilities, this rugged wilderness offers the perfect balance of adventure and accessibility.