Experience Frozen Head From Anywhere

The Cumberland Plateau continues to offer remarkable opportunities for conservation and outdoor recreation. This region of Tennessee, stretching across the elevated tableland between the Tennessee Valley and the Highland Rim, remains one of the most biodiverse areas in the eastern United States.

The area surrounding Nickajack Cave, once home to the largest gray bat colony in the eastern United States, exemplifies the conservation challenges we face. Protecting these critical habitats requires balancing recreational access with the needs of sensitive species. The cave's gated entrance, installed in cooperation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, has helped stabilize the bat population while still allowing responsible scientific study.