Tennessee Hiker Dies After Venomous Snake Bite At State Park
on Aug 18, 2025
A Hiker Has Died After Picking Up A Deadly Snake
A hiker has died after being bitten by a rattlesnake he picked up while visiting Tennessee’s Savage Gulf State Park on August 8.
The man, who has not been identified, reportedly handled what was likely a timber rattlesnake, a venomous species whose bite can be fatal, though such incidents are rare, according to the National Zoo.
“According to witnesses, the hiker had picked the Rattlesnake up resulting in a bite to his hand,” Matthew Griffith of the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency told Fox News Digital.
According to Griffith, it was suspected the hiker suffered from an allergic reaction, though the exact cause of death has not been disclosed.
EMS members and park rangers arrived to perform CPR on the hiker, who was transported to the hospital and later “succumbed to his injuries.”
What Is A Timber Rattlesnake?
The National Zoo describes timber rattlesnakes as “venomous with venom potent enough to kill a human.”
“Though it may strike if necessary, the timber rattlesnake is more docile than other members of its family and is more likely to stay coiled or stretched out, motionless when encountered in the wild,” their website states.
The timber rattlesnake is one of four venomous snake species found in Tennessee and is also known for its distinctive warning rattle.
They are found in a variety of habitats, including mountainous or hilly forests, hardwood or pine forests, swamps and river floodplains, lowland cane thickets, and agricultural fields.
According to the National Zoo, this breed of rattlesnakes are ambush predators and capture prey by waiting patiently, and then quickly striking, biting and injecting venom into passing prey.
“They are largely terrestrial but are amazing climbers and have been found in trees at heights of more than 80 feet,” the Zoo explains.
Savage Gulf State Park
Savage Gulf State Park is an open and scenic natural area located in Grundy County, Tennessee, and is one of the state’s newest official state parks, officially designated in 2023. The region was formerly part of South Cumberland State Park before gaining its own name and administrative status.
Located on the Cumberland Plateau, the park offers vistas, waterfalls, camping, and hiking trails. Savage Gulf offers approximately 60 miles of hiking.
According to its website, it features one of Tennessee’s most scenic wilderness areas, including the nearly 19,000-acre Savage Gulf State Natural Area.
