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FREE AND OPEN TO ALL CURRENT FRIENDS MEMBERS AND SPONSORS !
FRIENDS ANNUAL MEETING and FAMILY FUN DAY SATURDAY, JUNE 23rd 9:00 am HIKE TO DENNY FALLS with RANGER RYAN HARRIS meet at the DENNY COVE TRAILHEAD 11:30 am FRIENDS ANNUAL MEETING and POTLUCK LUNCH at the FOSTER FALLS PICNIC PAVILION 1:30 pm± GOOD OLD FASHIONED SUMMERTIME SWIM at the FOSTER FALLS PLUNGE POOL SEE YOU THERE! |
Foster Falls and its plunge pool. Click on the Falls for an enlargement. Photo by Rick Dreves.
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What’s Happening...
FIERY GIZZARD
TRAIL CLOSURE UPDATE 06/15/18 The Fiery Gizzard Trail is closed from Sycamore Falls to Raven’s Point due to a pipeline safety maintenance project. Both the Dog Hole Trail and Lower Fiery Gizzard Trail are closed. This is a utility company project. Park Rangers hope to reopen the trails on Wednesday, August 1st. We apologize for the inconvenience. Bears? In Our Park? Yes!
A common question our South Cumberland State Park Rangers get is "Do you have bears?" ... and the answer is...YES! While we don't have a large population, we do have Black Bears in the area. This one was spotted on Rt. 399, right outside the Savage Gulf Ranger Station.
So when you camp or hike at our park, please take extra precautions with your food. If you're camping, hang your food and anything that smells like food about 200 feet from your campsite and at least 12 feet off the ground. NEVER sleep with food in your tent. Bears aren't the only critters known for trying to get to a camper's food (here's looking at you, Mister Raccoon!). If you're hiking, and a bear has discovered your lunch is in your backpack, Let The Bear Eat It! Your backpack can be replaced -- You Can't! PLEASE, DO NOT APPROACH A BEAR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! These beautiful creatures are wild animals and can be dangerous if they feel threatened, or are protecting their young. Admire from a distance if you happen to see one, but for your safety, please don't approach! Fifth Graders discover the Park’s good nature
Over 170 fifth graders from Coalmont, North, Palmer, Pelham, Swiss and Tracy City Elementary schools came to the Park during the week of May 14th to discover more about its good nature! Over a dozen Friends volunteers worked with SCSP Rangers to put together a hike on the Grundy Forest Day Loop and a series of nature-themed activities for each visiting class. In spite of predicted wet weather, all of the sessions stayed dry, and the students had a great time getting better acquainted with the wonders of the Park! Check out our Photo Gallery with just a few of the many great moments enjoyed by our local students as the Friends worked to get Every Child in the Park!
Journalist Bob Butters
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Registration now open for SCSP Junior Ranger Summer Camps!South Cumberland State Park will hold two summer camps for children who wish to learn more about native plants, animals and streams while enjoying the great outdoors.
Two Junior Ranger Camps, led by Ranger Jessie McNeel, have been set for June 27-29 and July 11-13 at the South Cumberland State Park Visitor’s Center, located at 11745 U.S. Highway 41 in Monteagle. The June camp is sold out; 10 slots remain in the July camp, but you must register by July 5th or the July session will be cancelled. The camps are open to children between the ages of 8-12. Activities begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m., and cost is $50 for the first child and $40 each for additional family members. The cost includes a healthy lunch, T-shirt, certificate and a graduation cookout. Each camp is limited to 10 participants. Among the activities planned for the June camp are information programs on birds of prey and snakes at the visitor’s center, a hike to discuss native plants, a water day for exploring insects that reside in the gorge and creeks, and a canoe trip. Students will complete the program by building bluebird houses to be placed in the park’s Meadow Trail located behind the visitor’s center. July’s camp will focus on state history, Native American influence in the area and pioneers. Campers will also hike the Grundy Lakes region and learn the history of coal mining in the area, as well as hike along portions of the Fiery Gizzard Trail. July campers will also plant native species along the Meadow Trail. For more information or to register for the camp, visit the South Cumberland State park online, or call 931-924-2980. Email Ranger McNeel at jessie.mcneel@tn.gov. Friends help Mountain Goat Trail Alliance
Friends President Naullain Kendrick, right, presents Patrick Dean of the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance with a $10,000 contribution to help fund construction of the MGT between Tracy City and Monteagle, where it will pass both the SCSP Visitor Center and the Grundy Forest trailhead. Click on the image to learn more!
TN Naturalist Program Graduates Class of 2018
Congratulations to our Tennessee Naturalist Class of 2018, which recently completed its coursework. Many of these folks are only a few hours away from finishing their 40 hours of service and receiving their official Tennessee Naturalist certifications. The Friends are looking forward to the continued involvement of these naturalists in our upcoming programs and initiatives in support of the Park!
QUICK LINKS
Shop Online and help the Park!
When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates a portion of your purchase price directly to the Friends of South Cumberland State Park! 
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Volunteer Opportunities!Volunteer Work Day
on the Meadow Trail! On Friday, June 22, from 9 am to 2 pm, come lend a hand clearing out briars on a section of the Meadow Trail at the Visitor Center, to make way for a natural playground! Bring pleanty of water, bug spray, and sun screen. Gloves, long pants, and boots are a must-have. A long sleeve shirt is suggested as you will be working around poison ivy. Be sure to bring your lunch. We will break to eat around noon. June 22, 9 am to 2 pm Meet at the Visitor Center in Monteagle. Volunteer Day at Greeter Falls
On Saturday, July 14th, from noon to 2:30 pm, come lend a hand picking up trash along the Greeter Falls trail! Wear sturdy shoes, work clothes, and bring gloves for picking up trash. Be sure to bring along plenty of water and a high-energy snack. Trash bags will be provided, but feel free to bring extra bags and/or buckets for gathering trash. July 14th, noon to 2:30 pm at the Greeter Falls trailhead in Altamont. 
View of the Crow Creek Valley from one of several new overlooks on the Sherwood Day Loop Trail. Click to enlarge.
Build the Sherwood Day Loop! Sherwood Forest, the newest area of the park, is a completely wild, wonderful wilderness. Construction of a new 3-mile loop trail, out to spectacular overlooks and the Sherwood Natural Bridge, is underway. Check out this new video about Sherwood Forest and the Day Loop Trail Build, and then volunteer to help Ranger Jason Reynolds create this new trail!
Work days are currently scheduled on: June 16th at 1:30 pm June 23rd at 9:00 am (TN Promise Day!) June 27th at 9:00 am Meet at the Sherwood Forest Trailhead. More Details »» 
Finish the trail in Denny Cove!
Trail work in Denny Cove is making good progress, but key sections still incomplete. Our Rangers need your help to complete a sustainable, long-lasting trail system in this new area of the park! Trail work will last approximately four hours. Upcoming work dates: June 17th at 9:00 am June 24th at 9:00 am July 8th at 9:00 am July 29th at 9:00 am Meet at the Denny Cove Trailhead. More Details »» 
The Friends are looking for volunteers who want to help park visitors get the most out of their visit. Volunteers are now being accepted for the fall, 2018 season. Our “Trail Friends” are stationed at four popular Park trailheads during periods of high visitor traffic to welcome hikers, provide information and answer questions about that particular trail.
Learn more »» 
Trail Friend volunteer Barbara Braswell (right) helping out fall hikers at Savage Gulf.
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Learn more about the newest areas of the Park |
South Cumberland State Park continues to grow at a remarkable pace; it is now officially Tennessee's largest state park, at 30,837 acres. Click on any of these links to learn more about recent land areas that have been protected and added to the park, and what work is underway to make these areas accessible to the public: |
Our Mission:
To aid and assist the South Cumberland State Park management and staff in meeting its objectives, and to inform, educate, engage, and inspire its members and the public to protect, conserve, and enjoy all the resources of the park.
Why Should You Be a Friends Member?
Now protecting more than 30,800 acres, South Cumberland is the largest State Park in Tennessee. Although this is great news, more land, and more visitors, creates new and urgent unmet needs for the park. New trails must be built, and existing trails must be maintained or upgraded. New and expanded parking areas, restrooms, camping and picnic facilities, and directional signage are needed. Invasive pests, like the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, and invasive plants must be controlled. Guided hikes, seminars and historical re-enactments, including programs for area school children, must be prepared and delivered. And, the work of conserving additional environmentally-significant lands is far from complete.
By becoming a member of the Friends, you can help insure that South Cumberland will always be a safe, well-maintained and amazing place to experience world-class natural beauty!
Your Friends membership directly supports the park.
The Friends of South Cumberland is a group of volunteer citizens dedicated to supporting the South Cumberland State Park, at 30,837 acres, Tennessee's largest state park. A 1993 law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly allows state parks to contract with and receive financial assistance from an organized friends group. As a result, private citizens can be involved with and support the park through both volunteer work and financial support.
Funding for the Friends of South Cumberland is derived from individual and corporate memberships and from private donations. Our tax deductible status was approved in July 1994. As a 501(c)3 non profit public benefit corporation, your membership and gifts may be Federally tax deductible. Please join us in supporting and protecting the South Cumberland State Park!
To aid and assist the South Cumberland State Park management and staff in meeting its objectives, and to inform, educate, engage, and inspire its members and the public to protect, conserve, and enjoy all the resources of the park.
Why Should You Be a Friends Member?
Now protecting more than 30,800 acres, South Cumberland is the largest State Park in Tennessee. Although this is great news, more land, and more visitors, creates new and urgent unmet needs for the park. New trails must be built, and existing trails must be maintained or upgraded. New and expanded parking areas, restrooms, camping and picnic facilities, and directional signage are needed. Invasive pests, like the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, and invasive plants must be controlled. Guided hikes, seminars and historical re-enactments, including programs for area school children, must be prepared and delivered. And, the work of conserving additional environmentally-significant lands is far from complete.
By becoming a member of the Friends, you can help insure that South Cumberland will always be a safe, well-maintained and amazing place to experience world-class natural beauty!
Your Friends membership directly supports the park.
- Your membership supports the good work of the Friends of South Cumberland. You will become part of a group working to save great spaces in the South Cumberland and supporting this magnificent park with both funding and volunteer initiatives.
- You will receive the quarterly FSC Newsletter and monthly Trail Tracker emails to keep you updated on Friends and Park issues, events and volunteer opportunities.
- You will be eligible for members-only programs and events, such as the Tennessee Naturalist Program.
The Friends of South Cumberland is a group of volunteer citizens dedicated to supporting the South Cumberland State Park, at 30,837 acres, Tennessee's largest state park. A 1993 law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly allows state parks to contract with and receive financial assistance from an organized friends group. As a result, private citizens can be involved with and support the park through both volunteer work and financial support.
Funding for the Friends of South Cumberland is derived from individual and corporate memberships and from private donations. Our tax deductible status was approved in July 1994. As a 501(c)3 non profit public benefit corporation, your membership and gifts may be Federally tax deductible. Please join us in supporting and protecting the South Cumberland State Park!
