Tennessee State Parks Unveils New Restrooms at Cummins Falls State Park

COOKEVILLE – Cummins Falls State Park Manager Ray Cutcher, along with Senator Charlotte Burks and Representatives Ryan Williams and John Mark Windle, today unveiled the new restrooms at the park in Cookeville.

The event showcased the new amenities at the park with the key partners who have helped to make Cummins Falls the success it is today. Park Ranger Ray Cutcher was also on hand to answer questions regarding future plans for the park.

“We are excited to unveil these new restrooms at Cummins Falls,” Cutcher said. “Since opening the park in 2012, Cummins Falls State Park has become a popular destination for visitors to the Upper Cumberland region. We continue to look for ways to add additional amenities, enhancing the visitor experience at the park.”

Located on the beautiful Blackburn Fork State Scenic River, this idyllic 211-acre site in Jackson County is home to Tennessee’s eighth largest waterfall at 75 feet high. Cummins Falls is formed on the Eastern Highland Rim and has been a favorite scenic spot and swimming hole for residents of Jackson and Putnam counties for more than 100 years. Cummins Falls was recently featured on Travel and Leisure’s list of Top Ten Swimming Holes.

Cummins Falls’ rich history includes a time when Native Americans used the area to track the numerous buffalo that wallowed in the river’s shallow areas.  In the 1790s, Sergeant Blackburn, a veteran of the Revolutionary War and for whom the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River was named, was awarded the land in lieu of a pension.  The land was acquired by John Cummins in 1825, and he used the land to build the first of two mills.  Because of his growing clientele, a larger second mill was built in 1845.  Local residents would visit the mills and the falls for both commerce and recreation. For more information, visit www.tnstateparks.com/CumminsFalls.

Tennessee's 54 state parks and 82 state natural areas offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families or business and professional groups.  State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses.  For a free brochure about Tennessee State Parks, call toll free at 1-888-867-2757. For upcoming events at Tennessee State Parks, please visit the state parks website at www.tnstateparks.com.

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