Friends of South Cumberland State Parks, Inc.

10/15/2026

Your support makes a difference in our parks!

Currently Friends of the Parks budgets $12,500 each year for direct support for each park ($37,500 total). In collaboration with Friends, these funds are deployed at the request of Park Managers to fund purchases or initiatives that either are above their state budgets, wouldn’t get approved, or would take too long to get approved.

Swipe through to see some of the recent ways we've supported our parks!

Thanks to our members, donors, and supporters for helping us protect and improve these special places!

10/08/2026

We love our parks, and believe they're worth protecting!

At Friends of the Parks, we're a passionate group of volunteer citizens dedicated to supporting Fiery Gizzard, Head of the Crow and Savage Gulf State Parks. Our mission is to protect, improve, and expand these state parks and invite others to join us!

After all, these parks belong to all of us, and we all have a role to play in protecting them for future generations.

If you're not already an official Friend of the Parks, join us! https://www.friendsofsouthcumberland.org/join

10/04/2026

Today’s Trail Work day is CANCELLED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER!

09/29/2026

Friends of the Parks is collaborating with the University of the South to build trails to eventually connect Potter's Ridge Trail with the Head of the Crow State Park through Lost Cove.

These three fall work days will be a significant step toward completion!

Please sign up here -

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSezDf1-z-eutJQX0atlO8A3IgSiwwgrf67bZpID2cMTP7EgmA/viewform

09/29/2026

Your input is invaluable!

PLEASE TAKE THE SURVEY HERE -

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=LnoaPKSNWkas_-7cnrHjRvfKeHZO7_1BpoOFAf0IWrhUNjFWTDhLUVFFTEo0TEhaSk1ET1lPTzlCOS4u&route=shorturl

09/24/2026

SPREAD THE WORD!

Friends of the Parks is collaborating with the University to build trails to eventually connect Potter's Ridge Trail with the Head of the Crow State Park through Lost Cove. These three fall work days will be a significant step toward completion!

Sunday, Oct. 4
Sunday, Nov. 15
Sunday, Dec. 13

Noon to 5:00 PM CT

09/24/2026

The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker is coming back to Tennessee!

This episode of In Defense of Plants shares the inspiring story of how collaboration, dedication, and a shared commitment to conservation are helping bring this remarkable species to Savage Gulf State Park.

Every partnership makes a difference and when we work together, our parks, wildlife, and communities all benefit!

In Defense of Plants' Matt Candeias talks with Natural Areas Program Manager for the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation Sam King about how a chance logging mistake is teaching them how to manage white fringless orchid habitat for the better and has even unlocked new inroads into

09/18/2026

This week, Friends of the Parks joined Gov. Bill Lee, First Lady Maria Lee, Tennessee State Parks staff, Deputy Commissioner Clifford, Mayor Brady, and fellow volunteers at Fiery Gizzard State Park for a Tennessee Serves project focused on improving and protecting the trails we all love.

Together, volunteers helped replace an aging trail bridge, hauling boards and beams by hand along the trail, repairing eroded sections, and building stone steps to create a safer and more sustainable trail for future visitors.

During the event, Ned shared a message of gratitude to Governor and First Lady Lee for their support of Tennessee State Parks during their time in office. All of us with Friends of the Parks are incredibly grateful for the attention and investment our parks have received and for the many people who work to protect these beautiful places.

And another big thank you to our friends and supporters at Redpoint Inn Restaurant for a delicious lunch! After hauling lumber up and down the trail, it was very much appreciated. And ….y’all, those chocolate chip cookies! They were AMAZING!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the day a success and to everyone who continues to support Tennessee’s state parks!

09/18/2026

09/10/2026

Get ready for the Fall in one of our Friends crewnecks!
Available in several colors.

LINK:  https://www.bonfire.com/org/friends-of-south-cumberland-state-park-621556389/?srsltid=AfmBOoorcz1y3cV_HgRLJOaLvo5uNNtmWeffEwYAvLoimggrGEguToQm