Denny Cove
General information
ATTENTION CLIMBERS: Be a voice for climbing in Tennessee, make sure you fill out this climbing pass so that the state of TN knows how many climbers utilize to their state parks. Why this is important: This helps us advocate for climbers with the state parks. Without this data, there isn’t a great way for us to show the state just how many climbers use the land.
Land Manager: South Cumberland State Parks
Native Lands: ᏣᎳᎫᏪᏘᏱ Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee), S’atsoyaha (Yuchi) (from Native-land.ca)
Area Rep: Jon Wyatt, wyattj8@yahoo.com
Denny Cove is located 30 minutes outside of Chattanooga, just north of the small town of Jasper, between the popular climbing at Foster Falls and Castle Rock. Local climbers began exploring the Denny Cove area in 2011. Excited by the quality and quantity of the cliff line, they brought it to the attention of Access Fund and SCC. We joined forces with South Cumberland State Park, LTTN, and The Conservation Fund and began working on a long term plan to purchase the property from a private timber owner for permanent protection and climbing access.
Thanks to a $150,000 loan from the Access Fund, SCC closed on the 685-acre parcel of land in eastern Tennessee and opened Denny Cove to climbing in 2016. This acquisition was made possible with critical support of The Land Trust for Tennessee (LTTN) and The Conservation Fund. SCC and Access Fund spent four months building trails, a parking lot and making road improvements. Once infrastructure projects were complete we transferred the property to South Cumberland State Parks.
In December of 2020, SCC made the final payment to the Access Fund for Denny Cove. It is now paid off AND permanently protected!
Directions
What to Expect
Denny Cove already offers approximately 150 climbing routes, with potential for many more on nearly three miles of cliff line. The unique multi-colored sandstone offers routes of all grades and ability levels and boasts a wide variety of terrain—from long overhanging walls to massive roofs, slabs, cracks, and corners.
Route development at Denny Cove is on-going. If you are interested in route development, please read the Fixed Hardware guidelines and submit new route proposals during the open proposal periods.
Individual volunteers across Alabama, Georgia & Tennessee do the tough work of developing new routes for everyone to enjoy. SCC does not actively manage or supervise route development. Rather, we provide standards and guidelines that we recommend route developers follow. We also help parks and land managers develop standards and guidelines for route development on their land and act as a liaison between route developers and land managers. Accordingly, SCC assumes no liability for route development; this information is for the convenience of the climbing community only. Climb at your own risk and use your own judgment to evaluate any route and the fixed hardware placed there.
Access notes
- Climbers should complete a free permit each day they go climbing on SCSP properties (Denny Cove, Foster Falls and Stone Door). See SCSP page for more info or Click here to register.
- Denny Cove gate is opened daily by park rangers. The gate will close 30 minutes after sunset central time–ALL CLIMBERS MUST BE OUT BY THIS TIME! (There is a sign posted on the trails of sunset times)
- No camping
- Route Development by permit only. Click here for information about the SCSP Fixed Hardware Committee.
- Please stay on marked trails. Trail reroutes could cause changes to the trails, so please follow all new signage or trail markings.
- Please keep dogs on a leash
- Please dispose of human waste properly
- Pack out all trash and gear
Camping
No camping at Denny Cove. Foster Falls is less than 2 miles away and offering various camping options.
Guidebook
Rockery Press has released an online Denny Cove full guidebook through Rakkup. Download the app to purchase the full guidebook.
Denny Cove Mini Guide
Cody Averbeck has donated a mini-guide for Denny Cove. View in your browser or download directly.
South Cumberland State Park Climbing Information
Visit the SCSP website on rock climbing to register for your daily use permit and for park specific climbing information.