Hike To This Cave In Tennessee For An Out-Of-This-World Experience
By Chris Dodge|Published August 21, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
I don’t know about you but I can be pretty content with just about any hike. I can find hidden beauty in the way the trees make up a dense forest or get excited to see a couple of wildflowers. Then again, I love going on a destination hike where at the end you arrive at a breathtaking view that is special and unique. Today, I have a good one for you all and it doesn’t get much better than a trail leading to a massive cave! The Buggytop Trail to the Lost Cove Cave is a spectacular hike that demands your attention. Check out all the fine details of why this trail is so worth seeking out.
This trail is located in South Cumberland State Park and is quite popular and I can easily see why.
Not only will your journey lead to an epic cave, but you can also visit another cave by tackling a short spur trail. You start your hike at the trailhead and the first part of the trail might seem very discouraging. There isn’t much to see at first but good things come to those who wait. You will arrive at a fork in the trail — one leading to the left, which is Peter’s Cave Trail, and the other is Buggytop, which is an absolute must-visit.
We suggest saving the best for last so head to the left and make your way to Peters Cave.
Along the way, you see a bluff overlook which is quite stunning. Also, take a moment to soak in the beauty of South Cumberland State Park. Shortly after that, you will arrive at a sinkhole cave. You can climb the rocks and explore for some time but the most fascinating part is to listen to the underground river rumbling on the cave floor below.
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Head back to the trail fork and this time head on down the Buggytop Trail.
This is where the trail will start to get steep and we suggest bringing some good hiking shoes and maybe some hiking poles. When you get to the end, prepare yourself for the wow factor because everyone who has done this trail says that this cave makes the trail all worth it. The gaping hole opening is incredible to stumble upon in the middle of a forest.
The river runs through the cave, creating this rushing torrent of sound. During heavy rainfall, the water will pour out of the opening at an alarming rate but most of the time you will see a mighty but reasonable flow coming out.
However, visitors are not allowed in the cave from September 1st to May 1st to protect the bats that call the cave home. Bring a good headlamp and work your way through the rock formations and around the flowing water. The opening looks even better from the inside looking out. Exploring a cave like this is an epic way to spend the afternoon and one that is sure to excite anyone with a heart for outdoor adventures.
Make your way through the woods to not just one cave, but two caves on this incredible trail! The Lost Cove Cave is the star of the show and a trip well worth taking. Whenever I am hiking I always have a helpful tool I love to use. AllTrails is an app that helps you not only keep track of where you are on the trail but also helps by showing you other great hikes in the area. It is a tool I use all the time and highly recommend it too. For more information about the park itself, check out the South Cumberland State Park website.
South Cumberland State Park is broken up into various districts and one of the sections has now become its very own state park. Make sure you check out Savage Gulf State Park for other out-of-this-world destination hikes.
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