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From Burgess Falls to Roan Mountain, Tennessee has no shortage of impressive natural scenery. And while all of the Volunteer State’s 59 state parks are breathtaking, some of the best can be found right here in Coffee and Grundy counties.

With stunning waterfalls, sandstone cliffs and rugged canyons, the South Cumberland State Park, Savage Gulf State Park, and Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park help cement our status as the crown jewel of the Cumberland Plateau.

They are also exceptional resources for our community and a major asset to Tennessee. People from across the state and country visit Coffee and Grundy counties to experience and appreciate some of Tennessee’s most stunning and unique views. Don’t just take it from me – national news outlets have recognized them as top recreational places to visit.

For example, South Cumberland last year was recognized as one of the best places to enjoy fall colors by Backpacker Magazine. The same outfit ranked the park’s Fiery Gizzard Trail, a 12-mile trek offering waterfalls, swimming holes, and scenic views, a top 25 hiking trail in all of North America.

Greeter Falls in Savage Gulf was recently ranked the third most beautiful place in Tennessee by Southern Living magazine. Savage Gulf is also recognized as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service for its rarity, condition, character, diversity and value to science and education.

Savage Gulf and South Cumberland encompass 31,166 acres between Grundy, Sequatchie, Franklin and Marion counties. And just a short drive away is Old Stone Fort in Coffee County. Ranked one of the top ten state parks in Tennessee by Southern Living, Old Stone Fort boasts magnificent waterfalls, a historic truss bridge, educational opportunities, and hiking trails.

This is a significant portion of land for Southeast Tennessee residents to enjoy, and I’m proud the state has been a good steward of it.

State parks are engrained in the fabric of our community, and preserving these incredible sites will allow future generations to continue enjoying the vast recreational wilderness we have been blessed with in Tennessee. In addition to the obvious environmental benefit, state parks bring in much-needed tourism dollars and quality jobs for residents.

In fact, Tennessee State Parks had a nearly $2 billion economic impact in 2022, while spending at state parks directly contributed more than $7.2 million to local economies in fiscal year 2024. These economic benefits prove that investing in our state park system pays off.

Gov. Bill Lee, the General Assembly and local leaders have made recreation investments a priority, and it comes as no surprise that our state parks are thriving. In 2022, the legislature approved more than $30 million for improvements to Savage Gulf when it became Tennessee’s 57^th state park. These funds will be used for a recreational vehicle campground and visitors center for guests to enjoy.  

Since 2014, Republicans have added approximately 70,000 acres to state parks, critical habitats and recreational sites across Tennessee. Just this year, Middle Fork Bottoms State Park in Madison County and North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park in Hamilton County became Tennessee’s two newest state parks.

We have also worked diligently to ensure our parks are accessible for all Tennesseans. Twenty-two all-terrain wheelchairs are available at seven parks across the state, and we hope South Cumberland, Savage Gulf and Old Stone Fort will each soon receive one as well. 

Tennessee is one of just seven states across America that offers free admission to all state parks. This is a massive benefit that gives residents and visitors access to 59 different places to explore the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the 16^th state. And no matter where you are in Tennessee, a state park is never more than an hour’s drive away.

Our state park system, covering roughly 250,000 acres of public land, consistently ranks as one of the top four in the nation by the National Recreation and Park Association. The Volunteer State is a recreational playground for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s essential to continue protecting these pristine lands and resources for all to enjoy.

Tennessee is full of natural wonders, and I’m certainly proud of the work we have done to preserve them. As the leaves change, the air cools, and the views get more alluring, I encourage all residents of Coffee and Grundy counties to visit parks across the state – beginning right here at home.

State Rep. Rush Bricken represents House District 47, which includes Coffee and Grundy counties. He is vice-chairman of the Commerce Committee and also serves on the Civil Justice Committee, Fiscal Review Committee, State Government Committee, Banking and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee, and the Departments and Agencies Subcommittee.