Fall Creek Falls Breaks Ground on New Inn and Restaurant

Tennessee state officials gathered for the official groundbreaking of the new inn and restaurant at Fall Creek Falls State Park Tuesday.

25th State House District Representative Cameron Sexton says the new inn will be a valuable asset to the park and surrounding area.

“It makes Fall Creek Falls the premiere park not just of Tennessee or the southeast region but in all of America,” Sexton says. “This park will really revitalize Van Buren County and this part of Tennessee. There have been low occupancy rates here at the inn for a long time and this was a much needed improvement that’s going to transform this whole area.”

Sexton says the project could potentially lead to other parks across the Upper Cumberland revitalizing their facilities in the future.

“I think [it could work] with the right leadership, and I think Commissioner (Brock) Hill has done a wonderful job of adding to Cummins Falls and different things into the realm,” Sexton says, “and making this where if you could come here and stay at Fall Creek Falls and enjoy what’s here, then you’re close enough to branch out into other areas that we have around the area as well.”

Sexton says the new inn project could potentially bring much-needed economic development to an area in need.

“Mainly because many of our parks are in the rural areas in the state of Tennessee and it’s their economic and development driver, which brings in visitors and brings in much-needed revenue as well,” Sexton says. “So I think anything we can do to promote it and get more people to visit Van Buren County or the other park areas, I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”

The Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation reports the inn and restaurant will generate approximately $278,000 in annual occupancy and sales taxes, nearly $100,000 more than the previous facility.

Sexton was one of several state lawmakers on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony, including TDEC Commissioner Brock Hill, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, and Deputy Governor Jim Henry.

The project is expected to be completed by November 2020.