Tag Archives: Virgin Falls

Hikers can get their new year started with a pair of guided day hikes through Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park. Park Manager Stuart Carroll said he will lead a five-mile hike on New Year’s Eve, with a more strenuous hike on New Year’s Day. Ranger Allen Reynolds will lead the second hike nine miles up and down cliffs and through ... Read More »

TDEC’s Deputy Commissioner said changes being made to what will eventually be Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park in White County would be noticeable this time next year. Greer Tidwell said the state park system is currently hiring park rangers. He said TDEC would also be adding amenities to the area like a visitor’s center, bathrooms, and ranger stations as well ... Read More »

The Scott’s Gulf State Park in White County will become a reality over the next several years, after the State Legislature funded the project. State Senator Paul Bailey and other local leaders pushed for the $27 million plus to build a visitor’s center, roadways and parking for the new wilderness park. The legislature approved the expenditure last week. The 9,000 ... Read More »

The push for Virgin Falls to become a state park remains a priority for some state officials. Sparta White County Chamber of Commerce President Marvin Bullock said the effort may seem slow, but through his communications, the designation is still very much alive. “This is a pretty big undertaking to create a state park,” Bullock said. “Our’s is unique in ... Read More »

A missing hiker in White County located Wednesday morning after being lost overnight near Virgin Falls. Sheriff Steve Page said a group of four under prepared hikers were separated near White Cave. Page said three hikers made it out safe while one female was left behind. “People don’t realize the dangers of hiking Virgin Falls unequipped and that seems to ... Read More »

The Sparta-White County Volunteer Rescue Squad helped an injured hiker Sunday at Virgin Falls. Assistant Chief Charlie Tollison said the man called for help some two miles into the trail, immobilized from a possible broken knee. “In that certain area there around what they call the Cable Crossing, we’ve got a spot that we can parallel it with a road ... Read More »

Steep rocky descents, boulder fields and fording the Caney Fork River are among the challenges runners will face in the Caney Fork Ultra race on Saturday, August 21st. The Ultra is a roughly 40 mile race that takes runners through Bee Creek Gorge, around Lake Joe Long, along Virgin Falls Trail, and through other natural areas in White County. Race ... Read More »

The state announced a $500,000 grant to acquire additional land for White County’s Virgin Falls State Natural Area. The land adjoins the Dog Cove area southeast of Sparta. All told, the state will purchase some 1,400 acres at a total cost of $1.83 million. The grant is part of money from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Local Parks ... Read More »

Virgin Falls did not receive the funding needed to become a state park during the most recent legislation session. The White County Commission passed a resolution requesting the distinction in January. State Senator Paul Bailey said the estimated $14 million needed to fully develop the area was not approved. “There’s a lot of maintenance that has not been done to ... Read More »

Governor Bill Lee is proposing $21 million to prepare rural counties for businesses relocating to Tennessee. State Senator Paul Bailey said he anticipates local agencies being able to tap into the funding to create the needed infrastructure. “To get site-ready, pad-ready sites to do some recruiting of industry to come in,” Bailey said. “So, the Upper Cumberland is poised to ... Read More »