Officials gather for the opening of the new Dry Creek Falls Trail that will cross the
Bridgestone Nature Reserve. Pictured, from left, are Nick Ramos, executive director
of Environmental Affairs for Bridgestone Americas; Denny Wayne Robinson, mayor of
White County, Stuart Carroll, manager of Virgin Falls State Natural Area; Laurel Creech,
state director for the Nature Conservancy; Allen Reynolds, park ranger at Virgin Falls State
Natural Area; Miranda Sherrell, wife of Rep. Paul Sherrell; and Greer Tidwell, deputy
commissioner of Conservation for the Tennessee Department of Environment and
Conservation.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee have opened a new pedestrian Dry Creek Falls Trail, which will cross the Bridgestone Nature Reserve at Chestnut Mountain. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the site April 21.
The property was originally donated by Bridgestone Americas.
The trail will connect Dog Cove and the Lost Creek Natural Area, which are components of the anticipated future Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park.
The park will be part of the multi-faceted conservation strategy under the leadership of Gov. Bill Lee and the support of the Tennessee General Assembly.
“These are exciting times in conservation for our state,” said Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner for TDEC’s Bureau of Conservation. “We’re seeing significant steps in protecting natural resources and creating recreational opportunities for visitors. We are grateful for the partnership with The Nature Conservancy in allowing access across this property and to Bridgestone Americas for their deep commitment to stewardship by protecting this special place.”
“The new Dry Creek Falls Trail has been several years in the making and offers a new opportunity for people to enjoy nature at the Bridgestone Nature Reserve at Chestnut Mountain, which has long been closed to the public,” said Alex Wyss, director of Conservation at The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee. “This celebration would not be possible without a shared commitment from our partners, Bridgestone Americas and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.”
The approximately five-mile trail will take hikers past stunning sandstone rock formations, beside a stream surrounded by hemlock forest, to an overlook with spectacular views of the Lost Creek area, and notably to the two-tiered Dry Creek Falls waterfall. The trail can be accessed from both the Dog Cove and Lost Creek trailheadds. A trail map can be found
here.