Double Arch Tract Added To Big South Fork

There’s a new natural area to explore in the Upper Cumberland’s diverse outdoors.

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area acquired 16.7 acres of land, which includes the Double Arch tract.

Nature Conservancy director Gabby Lynch said this is a significant addition.

“It’s called ‘Double Arch’ because there’s a sandstone arch that comes out of the ground that’s tall enough for a person to walk under but then on top of that there’s another arch. The fact that it is a double arch makes it extremely significant from a geology standpoint. It’s extremely rare.”

Lynch said when time is of the essence to acquire land, the Conservancy is the best option.

“Sometimes we’re asked by a state or federal land agency to negotiate and purchase an important property for them because we’re a private 501 (c)(3) Land Trust. [So] we can just work a lot faster than the government can when it comes to land acquisition in general,” Lynch said.

The area was in danger of subdivision development before the National Park contacted the Nature Conservancy.

Big South Fork Superintendent Niki Stephanie Nicholas said the special tract is now safe.

“It is now protected in perpetuity as a part of the National Park System due to the foresight and tenacity of The Nature Conservancy in purchasing and protecting it.”

This isn’t the first time a collaboration such as this existed. The Conservancy played a role in securing a significant amount of acreage from a former timber company in the 1970’s and 80’s.

“We love partnering with state and federal land agencies,” Lynch said. “It’s just a great way for the public side and the private side to come together and save really special places like Double Arch. We’re just grateful to the National Park Service for bringing this to our attention and asking us to work on it.”

Big South Fork Park encompasses parts of Scott, Fentress, Pickett, and Morgan counties.

For more information on visiting the park, visit their website.