Ir al contenido principal

Tennessee’s 70th State Park: Angel’s Hollow Marks a Historic Expansion

Escrito por Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee sobre . Publicado en Parques estatales de Tennessee, Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee.

Landscape view of Angel’s Hollow State Park, Tennessee’s 70th state park, near Sale Creek.

On November 6, 2026, Tennessee will dedicate Angel’s Hollow State Park, bringing our state park system to 70 parks.

The dedication marks the culmination of 14 new state parks established during Governor Bill Lee’s administration. No other single administration has established as many Tennessee state parks.

At Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, we are proud to have helped establish both Angel’s Hollow and Buffalo River state parks. We celebrate this historic expansion and the shared commitment to conservation that made it possible. Together, these efforts preserve places where generations can explore, connect with nature, and create lasting memories.

Across Tennessee, families will discover new places to spend a Saturday, explore a trail, or introduce children to the outdoors. Communities will gain new connections to the landscapes and stories that shape their identities.

We celebrate as Angel’s Hollow now joins that growing legacy.

Continuar leyendo

What It Takes to Create a Tennessee State Park

Escrito por Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee sobre . Publicado en Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee.

Tennessee State Parks staff gather at the site of a future state park/Ryan Jenkins

Tennessee State Parks staff gather at the site of a future state park/Ryan Jenkins

During Governor Bill Lee’s second term, Tennesseans have witnessed unprecedented growth in the state park system.

Through legislative support and a bold vision for state parks, Lee’s administration has funded a record-setting 15 new state parks. This marks the greatest number of new state parks established under a single administration in Tennessee State Parks history.

These new parks are located across the state.

How did officials select the new state park locations? How do they establish a plan for opening them? And what will each park highlight about Tennessee’s landscape or important historical events?

We asked Chris Padgett, Director of Tennessee State Parks, and Ryan Jenkins, Deputy Director of Park Operations, to walk us through the journey.

Continuar leyendo

Conservancy’s Donors Help Make Tennessee’s 67th State Park Possible

Escrito por Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee sobre . Publicado en Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee.

The State of Tennessee are granted a non-exclusive license to use the photos in any marketing or promotional context, including but not limited to: social media, websites, printed materials, email campaigns, presentations, signage, and releases to media outlets in perpetuity. This does not include use on items intended for sale (e.g., t-shirts, prints, or other merchandise) without additional permission. Credit: Matt Morrison

Clinch River Valley State Park at Horton Ford/Matt Morrison

This August marked the culmination of a dream for the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy. We joined state and local leaders to dedicate Clinch River Valley State Park in Kyles Ford, TN.

Through the support of donors like you, the Conservancy was able to help secure two key properties along the Clinch River in Hancock County. These properties are helping make Tennessee’s newest state park a reality.

Continuar leyendo

5 Tennessee State Parks Where Fall and Donor Impact Meet

Escrito por Marketing sobre . Publicado en Parques estatales de Tennessee, Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee.

Fall leaves surrounding a wooded trail in a Tennessee State Park

The first day of fall usually sends our thoughts toward cooler hikes, changing leaves, and weekends outside.

Tennessee offers plenty of places to enjoy the season. Some of these places also show how donor support improves the parks and public lands we visit.

These projects are not always obvious. Visitors may cross a repaired bridge or follow a restored trail without noticing the work.

That quiet progress deserves attention.

Here are five places where fall scenery comes with a meaningful story about conservation, preservation, and access.

Continuar leyendo

Clinch River Valley: How 21 Acres Helped Create Tennessee’s 67th State Park

Escrito por Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee sobre . Publicado en Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee.

Group gathered at the Clinch River Valley State Park sign during the dedication of Tennessee’s 67th state park.

A remarkable stretch of Northeast Tennessee is now protected as Tennessee’s newest state park.

Clinch River Valley State Park officially became Tennessee’s 67th state park in August 2026. Located in Hancock County, the park protects land along the biologically diverse Clinch River.

The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy helped acquire key properties that made the new park and public river access possible.

For those who support the Conservancy, this is what protecting Tennessee’s public lands can look like.

Continuar leyendo

Friends of David Crockett Birthplace State Park

Escrito por Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee sobre . Publicado en Parque Estatal del Lugar de Nacimiento de David Crockett, Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee.

Friends of David Crockett Birthplace State Park

Located in Limestone, Tennessee, David Crockett Birthplace State Park encompasses 105 acres along the scenic Nolichucky River. Established in 1973, the park preserves the birthplace and legacy of one of Tennessee’s most celebrated frontiersmen.

While the Friends of David Crockett Birthplace State Park formally established the organization in 2021, community efforts to honor and protect Crockett’s birthplace date back to the 1880s. According to Friends Group President Will Vogt, generations of local residents have worked to preserve this important piece of Tennessee history for future generations.

Continuar leyendo

Counting the Beautiful Butterflies of West Tennessee’s State Natural Areas

Escrito por Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee sobre . Publicado en Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee.

Tiger Swallowtail/Ron Zucker

Tiger Swallowtail/Ron Zucker

Allan Trently and a group of volunteers led by Bart Jones got to count some of Tennessee’s most beautiful insects—butterflies! This past spring, Trently joined volunteers to count butterflies in West Tennessee State Natural Areas and State Parks. He serves as the West Tennessee Stewardship Ecologist with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Natural Areas.

Each year, nine butterfly counts are held across West Tennessee. The counts have been taking place since the mid-1990s.

Continuar leyendo

How the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy Is Making Tennessee State Parks More Accessible

Escrito por Marketing sobre . Publicado en Impacto, Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee.

The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy team stands on a Mobi-Mat, demonstrating how accessibility improvements help visitors of all abilities enjoy Tennessee State Parks.

What does accessibility in nature really look like?

Bradley finally saw the waterfalls at his favorite park, Cummins Falls State Park, thanks to an all-terrain wheelchair and an ADA-accessible overlook.

Carly launched her kayak independently using an accessible parking pad, launch, and transfer system. With the help of a free all-terrain wheelchair rental.

Whitney explored the trails at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park. At Natchez Trace State Park.

While Micah and his family can stay longer and enjoy more time together, thanks to the adult changing stations.

These experiences remind us that everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy Tennessee’s natural beauty.

The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy is helping make that vision a reality. Through donor support, partnerships, and accessibility initiatives, we are helping Tennessee State Parks become more welcoming and inclusive for visitors of all abilities.

If you believe everyone should have access to Tennessee’s great outdoors, we invite you to support the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy and help create a more accessible future.

Continuar leyendo

At First Light: How the Zuckers See Tennessee’s Wild Places

Escrito por Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee sobre . Publicado en Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee.

Photo by Ron at Old Stone Fork State Archaeological Park

Parque Estatal del Lago Reelfoot/Ron Zucker

Las primeras luces del amanecer se asoman silenciosamente sobre la cresta de la montaña. Es el tipo de momento que la mayoría de los visitantes podrían pasar por alto. Pero no Ron y Jeanne Zucker. Para ellos, esta es la razón por la que llegan temprano, esperan pacientemente y vuelven una y otra vez a los parques estatales de Tennessee con la cámara en la mano y la curiosidad intacta.

«La fotografía ha cambiado la forma en que disfrutamos de la naturaleza. En lugar de echar un vistazo y seguir nuestro camino por un sendero, ahora nos detenemos y observamos detenidamente el lugar. Volvemos a esos parques porque sabemos que van a cambiar», afirmó Ron.

Continuar leyendo

Una década de impacto: celebramos los 10 años de la Tennessee State Parks Conservancy

Escrito por Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee sobre . Publicado en Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee.

El exnaturalista estatal Randy Hedgepath; Tom y Lynn Mulligan, miembros de la Asociación para la Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee (TSPC); Alex Wyss, director ejecutivo de la TSPC; Ron y Kristie Hees, miembros de la Asociación; y Robert Becker y Walker Becker, miembros de la junta directiva de la Asociación, durante una excursión por el Parque Estatal Fiery Gizzard.

El exnaturalista estatal Randy Hedgepath; Tom y Lynn Mulligan, miembros de la Asociación para la Conservación de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee (TSPC); Alex Wyss, director ejecutivo de la TSPC; Ron y Kristie Hees, miembros de la Asociación; y Robert Becker y Walker Becker, miembros de la junta directiva de la Asociación, durante una excursión por el Parque Estatal Fiery Gizzard.

La Tennessee State Parks Conservancy se fundó en 2016 como entidad sin ánimo de lucro asociada a los Parques Estatales de Tennessee. La organización surgió del entusiasmo y la dedicación de los empleados de los Parques Estatales y funcionaba como entidad de apoyo dentro de las oficinas de los Parques Estatales de Tennessee. 

«La creación de la Tennessee State Parks Conservancy supuso un importante paso adelante para nuestros parques. Nos dimos cuenta de que, al combinar una sólida gestión pública con el apoyo del sector privado, podríamos lograr más», afirmó Bob Martineau, excomisario del Departamento de Medio Ambiente y Conservación de Tennessee entre 2011 y 2018.

Continuar leyendo