💦🐾 Hiking Greeter Falls Loop with Simba the Adventure Pup! Savage Gulf State Park, TN 🌲⛰️

Hey trail fam! Ash here — and this week, Simba the Adventure Pup and I took on a short but jam-packed adventure through the Greeter Falls Loop in Savage Gulf State Park, near Altamont, Tennessee! 🐶🌿

This loop has everything we love in a quick hike: waterfalls, spiral staircases, forest trails, and rocky creek crossings — all totally dog-friendly and full of Middle Tennessee charm. 🥾💛

📍 Trail Snapshot

Location: Greeter Falls Loop – Savage Gulf State Park, Altamont, TN
Distance: ~1.5-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (some steep sections + rocks)
Dog-Friendly: Absolutely — Simba splashed, sniffed, and smiled the whole way 🐾💧
Highlights: Greeter Falls, Boardtree Falls, spiral staircase, shady forest trail 🌲🌊

🥾 The Trail Adventure

This loop is the perfect quick-hit waterfall hike for both humans and happy pups. We started from the Greeter Falls parking area, which has restrooms and a trail map kiosk. The trail splits into a loop shortly after starting — we went clockwise to tackle the main event (Greeter Falls) first! 🎬

💦 Greeter Falls

A short downhill leads to the spiral staircase — a fun, slightly sketchy but solid metal staircase that spirals down through a rocky cleft to the base of Greeter Falls. At the bottom? WOW. One of the most picturesque waterfalls in Tennessee pours into a serene pool surrounded by rock walls and lush greenery. 😍🌊

Simba dipped his paws in the shallow edges while I took about 500 photos. Totally worth the (slightly muddy) climb down.

🌊 Boardtree Falls

Continuing the loop, we came across Boardtree Falls, a smaller but peaceful cascade nestled along the bluff. It's a perfect stop for a quick water break or forest moment. 🌿💧

🌳 Forest & Creek Crossings

The rest of the trail winds gently through the woods, over roots and rocks, and across a small creek with a few stepping stones (Simba's favorite part 🐾💦). There’s a mix of sun and shade, and the forest scenery makes the loop feel longer than it is — in the best way.

🐶 Trail Tips for Dog Parents

✔️ Leash required — and needed near the staircase & waterfall edges
✔️ Bring treats and water — especially in warmer weather
✔️ The spiral staircase is metal — some dogs may need encouragement
✔️ Watch footing on wet rocks & creek crossings 🪨
✔️ Simba’s tail rating: 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 — five wags for water, woods, and adventure!

🚐 RV + Travel Tips

• No hookups at the trailhead, but Grundy Forest Campground nearby offers RV camping
• Close to other Savage Gulf trailheads like Stone Door and Savage Day Loop — easy to stack into a weekend
• Parking is free, and the trailhead lot fits vans and smaller rigs — arrive early on weekends!

🎥 Watch the Full Adventure


This week’s video features:

🎬 The spiral staircase descent
💧 Waterfall base views
🐶 Simba’s creek splashes & trail zoomies
📸 Trail tips + golden retriever joy

👉 Subscribe for weekly hikes, waterfalls, RV tips, and pup-friendly escapes
📲 Follow the journey: @lifeonpawsandwheels

✨ Why We Loved It

✔️ Short trail, big reward
✔️ Two waterfalls in one loop 💦
✔️ Forested, shady, and dog-approved
✔️ Spiral staircase adds just the right touch of adventure
✔️ A must-do stop on your Tennessee trail list

Whether you're passing through Middle Tennessee or planning a weekend getaway with your pup, Greeter Falls Loop is an adventure that’s short, sweet, and seriously scenic. 🌲🐾💧

Until next time — happy trails, wagging tails, and waterfall breezes!
– Ash & Simba 🌿🐶💦

Location: Altamont, TN, USA

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