The Obed Wild & Scenic River has added 161 acres within the national park's boundaries through a donation.
The National Park Service managed area already protects 5,000 acres of land and 45 miles of free-flowing river, but chief ranger Matt Hudson said this addition is exciting.
"It's one of the most spectacular parts of the park with some of the highest cliffs, some of the most well known rapids next to it," Hudson said.
The tract of land includes two miles of river frontage, including the well known rapids like "Widow Maker" and "Keep Right."
The Obed Wild & Scenic River is a major draw for both white water paddlers and rock climbers.
"Even the most simple routes around here, the climbing routes are like five-star routes in any other area," climber Alex Santibanez said.
Santitbanez grew up climbing in Chile and moved to East Tennessee a few months ago. In his short time in the Volunteer State, he's become a frequent climber at the bluffs along the Obed.
"The area is so vast, so I'd say there's a lifetime of climbing here," Santibanez said.
The Obed has over 400 names rock climbing routes, and with the massive cliffs in the newly acquired land, there are even more possible rock faces to ascend.
Though the Obed Wild & Scenic River was added to the National Park System in 1976, some of the property Congress allotted is still private.
"There are just a few missing pieces here and there to complete the park, so this was one of the biggest remaining outstanding pieces and definitely one of the most important," Hudson said.
The land was donated by former Mary Ann Gibbons, the widow of former Oak Ridge National Laboratories physicist and chief White House science adviser to President Bill Clinton, John "Jack" Gibbons.
Hudson said Gibbons acquired the land more than 50 years ago and the family worked to protect it.
"It was right about the time that the Wild & Scenic River was created that they fell in love with this land," Hudson said. "It has always been their vision to preserve it and see it protected forever, and as the Park Service, that's our mission."