A multi-year effort to protect one of the Cumberland Trail’s most significant and distinctive landscapes has reached a major milestone with the acquisition of approximately 350 acres at Devil’s Racetrack. Image Credit: The Nature Conservancy
Tennessee has secured approximately 350 acres at Devil’s Racetrack through a $2.45 million land acquisition, bringing years of conservation efforts to a significant milestone. Announced on 23 September 2026, the deal brings together public funding, private contributions and sustained advocacy to safeguard the area for future generations. FOX 17 News reported that the $2.45 million transaction was completed to preserve the land for the trail’s future development. FOX 17 News reported that state and conservation partners are looking towards future public access and trail development. The organisation contributed $500,000 towards the acquisition and covered the costs of the property appraisal, a Phase I environmental study and a survey, according to The Nature Conservancy’s announcement.
The purchase protects one of the Cumberland Plateau’s most distinctive geological landscapes and creates new opportunities for the continued development of the Cumberland Trail. The newly acquired land will be managed by Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park as plans for its future take shape. The agreement means the property can now be incorporated into the broader conservation and recreational vision for the region. However, the acquisition itself represents the securing of the property, with further planning still to come. The transaction relied on a combination of public money and private conservation support. The Nature Conservancy’s contribution extended beyond its direct financial commitment. Covering the appraisal, environmental study and survey also helped meet the technical requirements involved in securing the property. The Nature Conservancy also acknowledged the role of state officials and long-standing trail supporters in helping advance the project. Its Tennessee State Director, Laurel Creech, credited the persistence of the conservation community and the use of both public and private funding for making the acquisition possible. The Devil’s Racetrack purchase forms part of a much wider effort to complete and protect the Cumberland Trail, Tennessee’s flagship backcountry hiking route. Among those recognised by The Nature Conservancy is Justin P. Wilson, a former Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation commissioner and Tennessee comptroller emeritus. His long-standing commitment to the trail, alongside philanthropic support, has helped sustain the broader vision for its development. Conservation groups can contribute funding, expertise and advocacy, while state agencies can provide resources and oversee the management of protected land.