Experience beauty of Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park

Sparta is full of rich, natural environments that are beloved by the community, and the Friends of Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park attempts to support and connect these areas to preserve their beauty. A non-profit organization that has operated in Sparta for decades, they are proud to protect the wonders of the county.

Originally, the plan was only for the park to extend 900 acres in the Virgin Falls area. When the park was officially designated last year, that stretched to nearly 10,000 acres, encompassing nearly the whole gulf. Since becoming a state park, the group has worked on developing a visitors’ center. A new maintenance shed in Dog Cove is another project the group is hoping to finish, as well as hopes to get a bridge connecting the park area to the south side of Caney Fork River. In addition, the group is looking to pave the path toward Welch’s Point Overlook, replacing the current gravel route.

Dylan Dunn, the organization’s vice president, said he has high hopes for the continued development of the park. Dunn claimed that part of the group’s goal is, while expanding the recreation for visitors, to preserve and continue the very natural feel to the area as not to overstep and ruin what makes it special.

Despite all the projects, Dunn said, “It’s in the name itself, Scott’s Gulf Wilderness, so the park area itself won’t be too much. But the perimeter will be a nice visitors’ center, with nice bathrooms, and that maintenance shed for the park to make sure we have the equipment to work on trails and help out visitors.”

 “Hiking is the biggest one,” Dunn said when asked about the activities in the park. “Hunting is, of course, allowed, but that coincides with the seasons and regulations. If you’re really adventurous, you can always go kayaking.”

When asked about caving, Dunn mentions that the Lost Creek caves offer guides in the summer. During the colder seasons, it is more closed off because of the bat hibernation season as to not disrupt them. The state website has reservations to assure that any groups partaking in caving are known and accounted for. Overall, Dunn believes the beauty of the park and its wide area offer enough for any who want to enjoy Sparta’s natural beauty.

The group hosts a few events and meetings that are open to any who wish to come and give their support. Their annual meeting is hosted every June, with more details to be provided as the month draws closer. However, every first and third Thursday of the month, the group hosts an event at the White County Courthouse, on the third floor, at 7 p.m. On March 6, for example, the event was a presentation by Bob Fulcher, a renowned folklorist, and he talked about stories that are sung about the mountains and their traditions.

The Friends of Scott’s Gulf can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/FriendsofScottsGulf, and they also have a Facebook public group that can be joined. They are working on a website and ways to donate digitally. For those who wish to support the group now, there are donation bins at the park itself. In addition, paying for the guides and tours through the park go directly toward funding its development.