TENNESSEE
Cherokee National Forest

Named after the cool waters of the creek that runs down its center, the Rocky Fork tract lies within the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. At 9,624 acres, it is the largest unprotected tract in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Connecting to hundreds of thousands of acres of federal and state lands, the property has tremendous importance to the Appalachian Trail and its greenway. The property provides a range of world-class recreational opportunities including hiking, fishing, and hunting that help the local economy. 

A strong network of partners have led a critical conservation effort for the protection of this property, including rallying congressional, state, and local community support and raising public and private funds. At a total acquisition cost of $40 million, Rocky Fork represents the strength of the LWCF and its ability to leverage state, local and private funding and ensure resources are available to conserve our nation's most valuable natural treasures. With a total of $29 million in federal, state, and private funds already invested into the project, including $6 million in FY2010 LWCF funding and more pending, the U.S. Forest Service and the State of Tennessee are moving forward to acquire the final phases of the project and fully place this important property into federal and state protection.