🌤 Weather at Head of the Crow State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40–74 °F | 63–84 °F | 40–78 °F | 29–49 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Sewanee, 1 mi away, elevation 1,928 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Head of the Crow State Park covers 5,409 acres on the Cumberland Plateau in Franklin County, Tennessee, south of Sewanee. Tennessee dedicated it in October 2025 from the Lost Cove section of the former South Cumberland State Park. It protects the headwaters of Crow Creek, a 50-foot sandstone arch and four trails, and entry is free.
The park is built around four state natural areas. Sherwood Forest State Natural Area (3,100 acres) holds most of the trail miles and the backcountry campsites. The Mr. & Mrs. Harry Lee Carter State Natural Area (921 acres) protects the cave where Crow Creek begins. Hawkins Cove State Natural Area (273 acres) has no trail listed in the TDEC trail data. Natural Bridge State Natural Area covers a single acre around the arch. At its dedication in October 2025 the park was reported at more than 4,200 acres. The 5,409 acres come from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) park boundary as of October 2026.
Quick Facts
| Location | Sewanee, Franklin County, Tennessee |
| Size | 5,409 acres (TDEC boundary, October 2026) |
| Established | October 2025, from the Lost Cove section of South Cumberland State Park |
| Entry fee | Free. No entrance fee at any Tennessee State Park. |
| Trails | 4 hiking trails, about 6.6 miles of trail (one way) |
| Camping | 5 backcountry campsites and 1 backcountry group site, no developed campground |
| Visitor center | In Sewanee, about 2.8 miles north of the Natural Bridge trailhead (straight line) |
Location & Getting There
The visitor center is in Sewanee. The trails lie south of it, between 3 and 7 miles away in a straight line: the Natural Bridge first, then the Buggytop trailhead, then the Sherwood Forest trails and campsites. The park’s coordinates are 35.1947, -85.9169.
Chattanooga is about an hour’s drive away, and Nashville about an hour and a half. The trailheads are spread across the park, so check trailhead locations on the Tennessee State Parks park page before you go.
Hiking Trails
Trail lengths and ratings come from the TDEC state park trail data as of October 2026. Two of the four trails are out-and-back, so the walk back doubles the distance.
| Trail | Distance | Rating | What you’ll see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Bridge Trail | 0.1 mile | Easy | A natural sandstone arch 25 feet high with a 50-foot span, and the view from it over Lost Cove. |
| Sherwood Day Loop | 2.85-mile loop | Easy | Mostly level ground with a few stairs, a forested ridge with many rock formations, several overlooks of the Crow Creek Valley and a natural bridge. |
| Pack Hollow Trail | 1.6 miles each way (3.2 total) | Moderate | Sandstone bluff lines, then a slow descent onto the north-facing slopes of Tom Pack Hollow. |
| Buggytop Trail | 2.05 miles each way (4.1 total) | Hard | Oak-hickory forest with small cedar groves and limestone openings, ending at the entrance of Buggytop Cave, from which Crow Creek flows. |
Backcountry Camping
Head of the Crow has no drive-in campground. The TDEC recreation data lists five backcountry campsites and one backcountry group site, all in the Sherwood Forest section near the Sherwood Day Loop and Pack Hollow Trail. You carry in everything you need. How the sites are reserved is not listed in the sources we could check, so confirm with Tennessee State Parks before you plan a night out.
Nearby Attractions
Distances are straight-line from the visitor center.
- Fiery Gizzard State Park: about 8.5 miles northeast, with the Fiery Gizzard Trail, Foster Falls and Grundy Lakes.
- Grundy Forest State Natural Area: about 10.3 miles east.
- Foster Falls: about 13.6 miles east.
- Tims Ford State Park: about 19.2 miles west.
- Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park: about 22.6 miles northwest.
- Savage Gulf State Park: about 22.8 miles northeast.
The Sherwood Forest and Hawkins Cove state natural areas have their own profiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entrance fee at Head of the Crow State Park?
No. Tennessee charges no entrance fee at any of its state parks.
How long is the hike to Buggytop Cave?
The Buggytop Trail is 2.05 miles each way, 4.1 miles round trip, and TDEC rates it hard. It ends at the cave entrance where Crow Creek flows out.
Can I camp at Head of the Crow State Park?
Only in the backcountry. TDEC lists five backcountry campsites and one backcountry group site in the Sherwood Forest section, and there is no developed campground.
What was Head of the Crow called before?
It was the Lost Cove section of South Cumberland State Park. Tennessee split South Cumberland in October 2025, and this part became Head of the Crow State Park.
Keep exploring: see all Tennessee state parks.
Sources: TDEC state park boundaries, state natural area boundaries, trail and recreation data (services5.arcgis.com, checked October 14, 2026); FOX 17 / WTVC, October 20, 2025. Acreage, trails and campsites as of October 2026.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Head of the Crow State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Dogs, cats and other pets are permitted in Tennessee State Parks, including all campgrounds, if leashed, crated or otherwise under physical restrictive control at all times.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- 6 ft physical leash required; pets must not be left unattended
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are prohibited on designated swimming beaches and at pools at all times
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets prohibited in park lodges and cabins except designated pet-friendly units; each park offers a limited number of pet-friendly lodge rooms and one pet-friendly cabin ($20 per pet per night)
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use or campground pet fee; $20 per pet per night in designated lodge rooms/cabins
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Park management may post additional no-pet areas on trails; proof of rabies vaccination may be required
Are dogs allowed at Head of the Crow State Park?
Dogs, cats and other pets are permitted in Tennessee State Parks, including all campgrounds, if leashed, crated or otherwise under physical restrictive control at all times. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via tnstateparks.com. More: Tennessee state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Head of the Crow State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
