Tennessee’s 70th state park will be named Angel’s Hollow State Park and will encompass approximately 2,500 acres in Hamilton County, following the transfer of land from the county to the state. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced the park’s name Tuesday, with a dedication scheduled for November 6, 2026, to coincide with the opening of the Hamilton County Fair at McDonald Farm.
The park will occupy a significant portion of McDonald Farm, a property that will help establish a new destination for outdoor recreation in southeastern Tennessee. Hamilton County transferred approximately 1,305 acres of the farm to the state. Combined with existing state-owned parcels, the new park will cover about 2,500 acres.
The Tennessee General Assembly approved $45.3 million in the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget to support the development of the park, according to Local 3 News. The funding provides resources for establishing the state’s newest park, although the announcement did not detail a project-by-project breakdown of the allocation.
Gov. Bill Lee said the park is intended to connect residents and visitors with the region’s natural resources and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation across generations.
“As Tennessee’s 70th state park, this beautiful valley on the border of Hamilton and Rhea counties will connect Tennesseans and visitors with nature,” said Gov. Lee. “Our state is blessed with rich natural resources, and Maria and I hope Angel’s Hollow will give generations of families the opportunity to experience the same peacefulness that we find in spending time outdoors.”
The park’s visitor center will be based in Sale Creek. It will border more than 300 acres of McDonald Farm that Hamilton County will retain, including the historic homestead and fairgrounds. The arrangement will allow the state park and county-owned facilities to occupy neighboring portions of the property, with the fairgrounds continuing to serve as a local event venue.
According to TDEC, Angel’s Hollow will provide a new entry point into Tennessee’s state park and trail system. Planned visitor experiences are intended to accommodate a range of outdoor recreation interests, from families beginning to explore outdoor activities to visitors seeking longer trail connections and backcountry opportunities. The announcement did not provide a detailed development timeline for individual recreational facilities or trails.
For campground owners, RV park operators, and glamping businesses, the establishment of a new state park could create opportunities to serve visitors seeking accommodations near outdoor recreation destinations. Depending on the park’s eventual facilities, access points, and visitor demand, nearby private operators may be able to attract travelers looking for overnight stays, RV sites, cabin rentals, or other lodging options before or after exploring the area. Businesses could monitor future announcements from TDEC for details about trail access, visitor services, and the park’s development schedule to assess potential demand.
The park will be the 14th state park established under Lee’s administration, making his tenure the period in which Tennessee has created the most state parks under a single governor, according to the announcement. Its dedication on November 6 will mark a new addition to the state’s public outdoor recreation network, while the retained county acreage will preserve the historic homestead and fairgrounds as part of the broader McDonald Farm property.
