Major city · United States
Tracy CityTracy City, Tennessee
Base here 1 night only if you hike Fiery Gizzard; otherwise sleep in Monteagle or Chattanooga and drive in for the day.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), icy winter days on the plateau
- Airports
- BNA · CHA
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Tracy City is a town of about 1,400 people on the Cumberland Plateau in Grundy County, central Tennessee, built on coal and railroad money and now the northern gateway to South Cumberland State Park. There are no hotels in town, so most travellers sleep in Monteagle or Chattanooga and come for the trails, the waterfalls and the drive along US 41.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tracy City, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow-crime rural town; the real risks are trail injuries on the Fiery Gizzard, summer heat and dehydration, and dark deer-heavy roads at dusk.
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 931 924-2980 South Cumberland State Park office
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBNA Nashville International (About 1 h 45 min by car via I-24; the usual arrival airport for this region.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a pastry at a bakery$3–7
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$9–15
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Museum or sight ticketState park entryFree; some trailhead parking may charge (check)
- Budget bedFoster Falls campsite, a night, per personUS$15
- Mid-range bedCabin or cottage rental in or near town, a night, per roomUS$170
- High-end bedCabin or cottage rental in or near town, a night, per roomUS$280
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BNA Nashville International (About 1 h 45 min by car via I-24; the usual arrival airport for this region.) · CHA Chattanooga Metropolitan (About 50 min by car; smaller, fewer direct flights.)
Weather and climate
Tracy City: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C46°F
−3°C27°F
10 rd
Feb
10°C50°F
−2°C28°F
10 rd
Mar
15°C59°F
2°C36°F
11 rd
Apr
20°C68°F
7°C45°F
10 rd
May
24°C75°F
12°C54°F
11 rd
Jun
28°C82°F
16°C61°F
10 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
19°C66°F
11 rd
Aug
30°C86°F
18°C64°F
9 rd
Sep
27°C81°F
14°C57°F
8 rd
Oct
21°C70°F
8°C46°F
8 rd
Nov
15°C59°F
3°C37°F
9 rd
Dec
10°C50°F
−1°C30°F
10 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. US 41 runs through town and links Monteagle and Jasper; Tennessee Route 56 goes to Coalmont and Altamont. Trailheads sit on narrow county roads with limited parking, and there is no bus or rail service worth planning around.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Drive TN-56 south then US 41A, about 20 min
University of the South campus, the Cross and nearby trails; pair with a meal in Monteagle.
Monteagle
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive US 41 west, about 10 min
The nearest motels, diners and I-24 access; useful as your sleep base.
Door to door: About 45 min
Drive US 41 north then I-24 west, about 35 min
Old Stone Fort Archaeological Park and more services.
Chattanooga
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive US 41 south then I-24 east, about 50 min
Civil War sites, the riverfront and the Tennessee Aquarium; a full day or an overnight.
Cowan
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive TN-56 south, about 15 min
Small railroad town; a short stop, not a day out on its own.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Tracy City in-town rentals
A handful of cabins and cottages; no hotel or motel in town, so book weeks ahead.
Monteagle
About 10–15 min west on US 41/I-24; the nearest real cluster of motels and inns.
Chattanooga
About 50 min southeast; a full city base if you want restaurants and hotels.
Foster Falls Campground
At the southern end of the Fiery Gizzard Trail; tent and RV sites, first-come in season.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Cabin or cottage rental in or near town1 × 1 night × US$170 | US$170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 | US$70 |
| Fuel, about 100 km of local driving1 × US$12 | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$52 |
| Trip total≈ US$287 per person per day, bed included | US$574 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or a pastry at a bakery | $3–7 |
| Diner breakfast | $9–15 |
| Mexican plate at a local restaurant | $10–18 |
| Gallon of fuel | $3–4 (check) |
| State park entry | Free; some trailhead parking may charge (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No hotel or motel in Tracy City: arrange a cabin, a Monteagle motel or a Chattanooga hotel before you arrive.
- Cell signal is patchy in the gorges and on the plateau; download offline maps before you hike.
- The Fiery Gizzard Trail is rough and rocky with a steep climb to Raven Point: allow a full day and start early.
- Foster Falls and other falls run low or dry in late summer; check flow after rain.
- Rural roads are dark and deer are common at dusk: avoid driving the back roads after sunset.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- South Cumberland State Park office
- +1 931 924-2980
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Tracy CityTracy City, Tennessee
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- South Cumberland State Park office+1 931 924-2980
Embassy
No consulates in Tracy City; nearest consular offices are in Atlanta and Nashville (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Drive BNA → Tracy City: about 1 h 45 min, roughly 150 km (check)about 1 h 45 min, roughly 93 mi (check)
- Drive CHA → Tracy City: about 50 min (check)
- Drive Tracy City → Monteagle: about 10 min on US 41
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the trail open today? — Is the trail open today?
- Do you take card? — Do you take card?
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tracy City. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), icy winter days on the plateau · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BNA and CHA: last sensible arrival times, rental-car desks, Monteagle fallback.
- Four walking and driving clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Tracy City, Grundy Forest, Grundy Lakes, Foster Falls.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Fiery Gizzard, Foster Falls, South Cumberland visitor center) and eat pages with last orders.
- Weather and closure fixtures for the plateau so gates A–D can go green.