Rock Island State Park

In August 2017, two dedicated conservationists, Mary Lynn Dobson and Ann Tidwell, alerted TennGreen Land Conservancy staff that 45 acres of land were for sale adjacent to Rock Island State Park. Thanks to the generosity of many private supporters, TennGreen Land Conservancy purchased and transferred this land to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, allowing for the historic park’s first-ever expansion. In addition to expanding the park’s rugged beauty, this expansion:

• Protects wildlife habitat along the Caney Fork River
• Protects hikers from nearby private hunting grounds
• Provides future campers—Scout troops and kayakers—with an essential campground for privacy
• Protects the area’s spectacular viewshed and scenery from being developed and dotted with private homes
• Ensures that Tennessee State Parks can accommodate the park’s ever-increasing number of visitors

The history of Rock Island State Park dates back to the end of the Civil War, when countless entrepreneurs built along the Caney Fork attempting to harness the strength of the river. In 1917, the Great Falls Hydroelectric Plant’s dam (later owned and operated by TEPCO and now TVA) created a lake, bringing with it numerous recreational opportunities for both Tennesseans and tourists to enjoy. Rock Island has hosted the U.S. Freestyle Kayaking World Championships, and the popular park features several hiking trails, scenic overlooks, waterfalls, deep pools, and a sandy beach for recreational swimming and water sports.