Virgin Falls and three other waterfalls sit within the 1,500 acre tract for sale. Photo by Ted LaRoche
The non-profit land acquisition arm for Tennessee state parks has signed an option to buy Virgin Falls on the Cumberland Plateau. The 1,500-acre tract is already managed by the state but owned privately.
Virgin Falls was conserved in 1970 as a so-called “Pocket Wilderness” by the paper company that owned the timber rights. Since then, the 110-foot waterfall has been a big attraction for backpackers, like Jason Miller of Kentucky. He filmed himself last year standing under a deluge of water.
“This is Virgin Falls. It comes out of a cave, and it goes into another cave.”
The land is protected from development for at least the next 27 years because the state purchased the long-term timber rights in another deal. But now the four owners of the land itself have agreed to sell the property outright for roughly $2 million to the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation. Executive director Kathleen Williams calls it a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.
“It required nine signatures to get them to agree on a price and agree to sell it. Some of the owners are elderly. In 27 years, it may be impossible to make a deal.”
The money will come from a $1.5 million federal grant. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has chipped in $300,000. The Parks and Greenways Foundation has until the end of September to raise the rest. A long-time fan of Virgin Falls kicked off the effort with a $50,000 gift.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM