Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park project will begin within next year

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The state of Tennessee has designated the Scott’s Gulf Wilderness area in the eastern portion of White County to be listed as a State Park. As such, there will be additions to the area and improvements to several of the already existing attractions.

The newest plans include the construction of a new visitor center, maintenance shop, and restrooms as well as improvements to the utilities, roadways, and parking infrastructure.

The visitor center will be approximately 3,500 square feet with parking to accommodate Recreational Vehicles (RV’s). The new visitor center will also be ADA compliant making the Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park appealing to visitors with a wide range of abilities and will be designed to conform to the Tennessee State Parks Design Guideline: Creating Places for Adventures and Experiences. The visitor center will include exhibits and displays as well as conference and meeting rooms. Park personnel offices and visitor restrooms will also be located inside the new visitor center once it is completed. In addition to the visitor center, an 1,800 square foot maintenance facility will also be built.

Other improvements to the entire park will include accessible parking and restroom improvements at the existing scenic overlook, Mitchell Ford kayak launch, and four or more of the currently existing trailheads. Improvements to the roadways leading to these sites as well as the extension of electrical services and water storage tanks and/or wells is also planned. There will also be a new septic infrastructure to support the additional restrooms, with consideration for the special requirements for systems within a flood plain that affects at least one of the new sites.

“From inception, we’ve supported this project for many years. It is quite rewarding to see the state bring this project to fruition,” White County Commissioner Cain Rogers, who has advocated for the state park for some time, said. “The Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park will make an everlasting impact to White County, providing substantial infrastructure that will boost tourism and provide continued business demand for our local restaurants, shops, and other businesses.”

The estimated notice to proceed (NTP) date is Aug. 16, 2024, with an estimated project bid date of Sept. 30, 2025.    

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