Fall Creek Falls State Park officially opened its new $40 million lodge this month with a ceremony led by Gov. Bill Lee. When fully opened, the lodge will provide 85 rooms, conference space and a restaurant and lounge. A limited number of rooms are currently available, and the restaurant is open with limited hours and menu. There’s no date currently set for the lodge to be fully open, said Kim Schofinski, Deputy Communications Director of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The guest rooms, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, overlook Fall Creek Falls Lake, and all rooms have balconies with views of the lake. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor lakeside dining space. For room reservation information, click here.
Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s largest and most visited state parks. One hour from Chattanooga and less than two hours from Knoxville, the park encompasses more than 29,800 acres on the Cumberland Plateau. It features towering waterfalls, spectacular overlooks, 30 cabins and 222 campsites, as well as backcountry camping. More than 56 miles of trails can be accessed.
The park last year opened a $2.7 million, 4,800 sq.-ft. visitors center as part of the $184 million in investment in state parks across Tennessee. And the Nature Center at Fall Creek Falls offers hands-on environmental education through a variety of naturalist-led programs. The park also features the Fall Creek Falls Golf Course and the Canopy Challenge Course including rope swings and zip lines. Paddle boards and kayaks are available for rent.
Gov. Lee called the new lodge “an example of why Tennessee has one of the best state parks systems in America. We are eager to welcome the many visitors who will stay at the lodge and continue to make Fall Creek Falls State Park a year-round destination.”