$61.75 Million Approved for First Phase of David Crockett Birthplace State Park Rebuild

LIMESTONE, Tenn. — David Crockett Birthplace State Park is moving closer to recovery after Tennessee lawmakers approved $61.75 million for the first phase of its reconstruction.

The funding takes effect July 1 and will support a new visitor center, campground, bathhouse, roads, utilities and other essential park infrastructure. The Tennessee General Assembly approved the investment following a proposal from Gov. Bill Lee.

The park, located along the Nolichucky River in Greene County, has remained closed since flooding from Hurricane Helene severely damaged the property in September 2024. It has served as a Tennessee state park since 1973 and commemorates the birthplace of frontiersman, soldier and public official David Crockett.

Phase 1 represents the first major step toward rebuilding the historic site. Beyond replacing damaged facilities, the state’s broader master plan calls for a park designed to withstand future flooding while offering more recreational, educational and community spaces.

Plans include a new visitor center with a museum, camp store, gift shop, restrooms and accessible parking. The campground would be rebuilt with RV and tent sites, while a new bathhouse would provide showers and laundry facilities.

The riverfront area would also receive significant changes. Proposed features include an elevated boardwalk positioned above seasonal water levels, four picnic pavilions, a reconstructed boat ramp and kayak launch, and improvements intended to stabilize access to the Nolichucky River.

A replica of Crockett’s cabin and homestead would be placed above the high-water line. The plan also preserves a surviving piece of the former park: the original chimney from the historic cabin would be incorporated into a new educational pavilion.

Other proposed amenities include a covered performance stage, children’s water feature, playground pavilion, agricultural exhibit area and scenic overlook. A relocated entrance and new signage are intended to improve traffic safety and make the park easier to find.

Northeast Tennessee residents helped influence the master plan through a public planning process involving community members, park officials and state and local representatives.

The investment is especially meaningful for Greene County, where the park has long served as both a historic landmark and a draw for campers, families and visitors exploring the region.

A construction schedule and reopening date have not yet been announced. For now, the Crockett Shoals Trailhead remains the only part of the park open to the public.