Head of the Crow State Park; Image by Matt Morrison

SEWANEE, TN – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and Tennessee State Parks recently celebrated the dedication of Head of the Crow State Park at a ceremony with local leaders from Franklin County and the nearby University of the South.

Once part of South Cumberland State Park, Head of the Crow is now a standalone state park, named after the area of Franklin County that contains the headwaters of Crow Creek. The park joins together four state natural areas to provide better and more outdoor recreation opportunities. Separating Head of the Crow into its own dedicated park will help preserve, protect, and share Tennessee's natural and cultural resources while providing safe and quality outdoor experiences.

“From Memphis to Mountain City, Tennessee is blessed with unparalleled natural resources and beauty, and by making strategic investments in conservation, we can preserve those resources for generations to come,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “This park will help drive tourism and the economy in a rural area of our state, and we welcome Tennesseans and visitors alike to enjoy all that Head of the Crow State Park has to offer.”

The Lee administration is establishing 14 new Tennessee State Parks, setting the Tennessee record for the most state parks created by one administration. The new parks are part of the governor’s conservation strategy, which combines protection of the state’s natural resources with robust economic growth.

Head of the Crow State Park encompasses the Sherwood Forest State Natural Area, the Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee Carter State Natural Area, the Natural Bridge State Natural Area, and the Hawkins Cove State Natural Area. It provides unique hiking opportunities and cave tours.

The park reflects a collaboration between Tennessee State Parks, The Conservation Land Trust, The Land Trust for Tennessee, Forest Legacy Grant, The Franklin State Forest and the Tennessee Division of Forestry, and the University of the South.

More information about the park can be found on the park’s webpage at tnstateparks.com/parks/head-of-the-crow.