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Enter Your Best Photos of the Park
in the Picture the Park 2020 Photo Contest
Have you taken an awesome photo in South Cumberland State Park?
Donate it to the Friends by entering it in our annual photo contest!
Deadline to enter is November 1st!
We know many of you have taken some amazing photos during your visits to the Park. Now is your opportunity to gain some well-deserved recognition for your talent and effort! We're offering great prizes for the best photo in each of several categories.
in the Picture the Park 2020 Photo Contest
Have you taken an awesome photo in South Cumberland State Park?
Donate it to the Friends by entering it in our annual photo contest!
Deadline to enter is November 1st!
We know many of you have taken some amazing photos during your visits to the Park. Now is your opportunity to gain some well-deserved recognition for your talent and effort! We're offering great prizes for the best photo in each of several categories.
When you enter a photo in Picture the Park 2019, you’re making a donation to the Friends -- a gift of creativity, and of great story-telling. By donating your photo, you’re providing the Friends with a unique visual element we can use in helping to tell the park’s story! As long as your photo was taken in South Cumberland State Park, it is eligible -- even old favorites you took years ago! As long as it's an image you haven't entered in this contest before, you may enter as many entries, in as many categories as you like!
Just upload your photos thru this form (you must have a Google account and be logged into it before you’ll be able to use the entry form).
CONTEST RULES: One photo per form submission; minimum photo size: 3000 pixels on the longest dimension (wide or tall). Photos not meeting the size requirement will be disqualified. This contest runs until Friday, November 1, 2019, at 11:59 pm Central Time. Decisions of the judges are final. Winners will be notified via email, at the address provided with each submitted photo. By submitting an image, you certify that the image is an original photo that you or a member of your immediate family took, and that the photo was taken within South Cumberland State Park. If there are any recognizable people in the photo, you hereby certify that you have their permission to enter a photo of them in this contest, with the understanding it may appear online or in other public media. All entries become the property of the Friends of South Cumberland State Park, Inc., without reservation. Any entry may be used in Friends media content, including, but not limited to, online, print, or broadcast form; as well as in physical products we may offer in exchange for donations to the Friends, or sell in order to raise money for projects we facilitate for South Cumberland State Park.
Just upload your photos thru this form (you must have a Google account and be logged into it before you’ll be able to use the entry form).
CONTEST RULES: One photo per form submission; minimum photo size: 3000 pixels on the longest dimension (wide or tall). Photos not meeting the size requirement will be disqualified. This contest runs until Friday, November 1, 2019, at 11:59 pm Central Time. Decisions of the judges are final. Winners will be notified via email, at the address provided with each submitted photo. By submitting an image, you certify that the image is an original photo that you or a member of your immediate family took, and that the photo was taken within South Cumberland State Park. If there are any recognizable people in the photo, you hereby certify that you have their permission to enter a photo of them in this contest, with the understanding it may appear online or in other public media. All entries become the property of the Friends of South Cumberland State Park, Inc., without reservation. Any entry may be used in Friends media content, including, but not limited to, online, print, or broadcast form; as well as in physical products we may offer in exchange for donations to the Friends, or sell in order to raise money for projects we facilitate for South Cumberland State Park.
— Volunteer Opportunities --
Please Give Back to the Park You Love!
Sherwood Forest Trail Building
October 20 & October 30 at 2 pm
October 11 & October 17 at 9 am
Join in with other South Cumberland trail blazers to help create a brand new loop trail at the park. The Sherwood Forest is a brand new area that is now open for a variety of public uses. We need your help to get the trails ready! Please be prepared with sturdy footwear and plenty of water/snacks. If you have favorite trail-building tools or pairs of gloves, feel free to bring them. Note: You can only access Old CCC Road from Jumpoff Road; NOT from Sherwood Road! Meet at the Sherwood Forest parking lot. Contact: jason.reynolds@tn.gov.
Savage Gulf Trail Work
October 10, 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 PM
(Registration closes at midnight the day before the event. Please preregister. All times are Central.)
Help the Rangers with needed trail repair and maintenance at the Savage Gulf State Natural Area. Bring work clothes, sturdy footwear, gloves, plenty of water, and food for the trail. Work implements (hand tools only) will be provided, but you may bring your own, if desired. Weather permitting.
Meet at the Savage Gulf Ranger Station, 3157 SR 399, Palmer, TN 37365. Contact: mark.greenwood@tn.gov
Notes/Disclaimers: Please do not bring power tools (chainsaws, etc.). For this event, Volunteers will use hand tools only. Volunteers will be required to sign a Volunteer Form, which may include a liability waiver. Trail maintenance and the use of hand tools, etc., carries certain inherent risks. These include, but are not necessarily limited to: accidents involving the tools; potential exposure to the elements and wildlife; and all-around, general hard work.
October 20 & October 30 at 2 pm
October 11 & October 17 at 9 am
Join in with other South Cumberland trail blazers to help create a brand new loop trail at the park. The Sherwood Forest is a brand new area that is now open for a variety of public uses. We need your help to get the trails ready! Please be prepared with sturdy footwear and plenty of water/snacks. If you have favorite trail-building tools or pairs of gloves, feel free to bring them. Note: You can only access Old CCC Road from Jumpoff Road; NOT from Sherwood Road! Meet at the Sherwood Forest parking lot. Contact: jason.reynolds@tn.gov.
Savage Gulf Trail Work
October 10, 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 PM
(Registration closes at midnight the day before the event. Please preregister. All times are Central.)
Help the Rangers with needed trail repair and maintenance at the Savage Gulf State Natural Area. Bring work clothes, sturdy footwear, gloves, plenty of water, and food for the trail. Work implements (hand tools only) will be provided, but you may bring your own, if desired. Weather permitting.
Meet at the Savage Gulf Ranger Station, 3157 SR 399, Palmer, TN 37365. Contact: mark.greenwood@tn.gov
Notes/Disclaimers: Please do not bring power tools (chainsaws, etc.). For this event, Volunteers will use hand tools only. Volunteers will be required to sign a Volunteer Form, which may include a liability waiver. Trail maintenance and the use of hand tools, etc., carries certain inherent risks. These include, but are not necessarily limited to: accidents involving the tools; potential exposure to the elements and wildlife; and all-around, general hard work.
Grundy County Students Enjoy Field Day at the Park
Injured Bald Eagle Released After Rehab
An injured Bald Eagle came home to Monteagle on Saturday. Last spring the eagle was discovered on the ground, unable to fly. After spending months at the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) in Pigeon Forge, he was deemed ready for release, and over 100 gathered to watch. When his crate was opened, the young male — nicknamed “Cliff” —flew all the way across the lake as the crowd cheered.
In late May, the eagle had been spotted on the side of the road in Clifftops, a residential community in Monteagle. Margaret Matens, a local TWRA wildlife rehabilitator, enlisted help to orchestrate its capture. According to Matens, the downed eagle could spread its wings and hop but could not take flight. Realizing the young male eagle would not survive if left on its own, she contacted TWRA officers Sgt. Brandon Selvog from Grundy Co. and Marty Griffith from Marion Col, who arrived within an hour. Armed with a long-handled net and several quilts, the group re-located the eagle in deep woods not far from the original sighting.
Matens said, “Marty, my sister and I surrounded the eagle and tried to chase him towards Brandon, who had the net. The eagle hopped and flapped to elude capture. At one point, it landed in a creek, which was a blessing as the wet feathers slowed it down. After a ten-minute chase, Brandon was able to net the exhausted eagle. We wrapped him in quilts, disentangled its talons from the net, and gingerly eased him into a big crate.”
With the help of Ziggy’s Tree Rehabilitation Center in Tullahoma, “Cliff” was transported to the U.T. Vet School, the only facility in Tennessee whose veterinarians are permitted to treat a Bald Eagle. After the UT staff found no evidence of fractures or other injuries, they sent him on to the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) in Pigeon Forge for further testing. In partnership with Dollywood, the AEF is an internationally recognized Bald Eagle conservation organization.
“Last week, we received word that he was coming home,” said Matens. Louann Partington, a volunteer with Ziggy’s Tree, transported the eagle to Monteagle. Residents of Clifftops and members of the local community were invited to the eagle’s launch party, and cheers broke out when he rose from the ground and flew across the lake. Bald Eagles have been in evidence around the large lake in past years, though no nests have been spotted.
Photo: Jack Matens, left, and volunteer rehabilitator Louann Partington open the crate to set Cliff free. -- Photo by Anne Davis
An injured Bald Eagle came home to Monteagle on Saturday. Last spring the eagle was discovered on the ground, unable to fly. After spending months at the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) in Pigeon Forge, he was deemed ready for release, and over 100 gathered to watch. When his crate was opened, the young male — nicknamed “Cliff” —flew all the way across the lake as the crowd cheered.
In late May, the eagle had been spotted on the side of the road in Clifftops, a residential community in Monteagle. Margaret Matens, a local TWRA wildlife rehabilitator, enlisted help to orchestrate its capture. According to Matens, the downed eagle could spread its wings and hop but could not take flight. Realizing the young male eagle would not survive if left on its own, she contacted TWRA officers Sgt. Brandon Selvog from Grundy Co. and Marty Griffith from Marion Col, who arrived within an hour. Armed with a long-handled net and several quilts, the group re-located the eagle in deep woods not far from the original sighting.
Matens said, “Marty, my sister and I surrounded the eagle and tried to chase him towards Brandon, who had the net. The eagle hopped and flapped to elude capture. At one point, it landed in a creek, which was a blessing as the wet feathers slowed it down. After a ten-minute chase, Brandon was able to net the exhausted eagle. We wrapped him in quilts, disentangled its talons from the net, and gingerly eased him into a big crate.”
With the help of Ziggy’s Tree Rehabilitation Center in Tullahoma, “Cliff” was transported to the U.T. Vet School, the only facility in Tennessee whose veterinarians are permitted to treat a Bald Eagle. After the UT staff found no evidence of fractures or other injuries, they sent him on to the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) in Pigeon Forge for further testing. In partnership with Dollywood, the AEF is an internationally recognized Bald Eagle conservation organization.
“Last week, we received word that he was coming home,” said Matens. Louann Partington, a volunteer with Ziggy’s Tree, transported the eagle to Monteagle. Residents of Clifftops and members of the local community were invited to the eagle’s launch party, and cheers broke out when he rose from the ground and flew across the lake. Bald Eagles have been in evidence around the large lake in past years, though no nests have been spotted.
Photo: Jack Matens, left, and volunteer rehabilitator Louann Partington open the crate to set Cliff free. -- Photo by Anne Davis
Make plans now
to attend the 2020 Trails & Trilliums Festival and the Wild Azalea Gala, set for April 12-14, 2020! Details coming soon!
to attend the 2020 Trails & Trilliums Festival and the Wild Azalea Gala, set for April 12-14, 2020! Details coming soon!
Trail Friends Receive Grant
John Hille, right, Friends president; and Trae Moore, left, Friends vice-president, accept a $500 mini-grant from Norm Feaster, Friends of Tennessee State Parks. The grant, issued by the statewide Friends organization, will help FSC’s Trail Friends program produce materials to improve SCSP visitor understanding of the park, safety tips, and other useful information. Click here for more information on the Trail Friends program!
John Hille, right, Friends president; and Trae Moore, left, Friends vice-president, accept a $500 mini-grant from Norm Feaster, Friends of Tennessee State Parks. The grant, issued by the statewide Friends organization, will help FSC’s Trail Friends program produce materials to improve SCSP visitor understanding of the park, safety tips, and other useful information. Click here for more information on the Trail Friends program!
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IN MEMORIAM:
WOODY McLAUGHLIN 
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Woody McLaughlin, a founder and leader of the Friends of South Cumberland State Park, passed away unexpectedly in late July, while on a camping trip with his family in Montana.
With Woody's help, the Friends leadership decided to launch the Saving Great Spaces Campaign in 2002. During part of this multi-year campaign, he served as president of the Friends, and worked tirelessly to encourage others to join the effort. This concerted, multi-year conservation campaign leveraged over $8.5 million in total resources, making it possible to add 5,495 acres of priority land at Savage Gulf and the Fiery Gizzard. To make a memorial gift in woody's name, visit https://friendsofsouthcumberland.org/make-a-gift.html |
Now’s the time to become a Trail Friend!
Eileen (at right), pictured with her service dog Kiki and Trail Friends Coordinator Lee Davenport (on left), is the newest Trail Friends volunteer. Trail Friends are volunteers who offer Park visitors a cheery welcome and much-needed information about the Park, the natural surroundings, and the specifics of the trails. Trail Friends staff five of the busiest trailheads in the Park, and also walk these trails, answering questions and providing assistance as they go. More than four thousand people have been helped by this enthusiastic team of volunteers. The Trail Friends team is always looking for enthusiastic new members! More info and online training is available now. Learn more on our Trail Friends page.
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CCC Interpretive Area Now Open!
The new CCC Interpretive Area at South Cumberland State Park is now open. The Interpretive Area, consisting of a new 1/3-mile trail connecting 13 graphic panels, tells the story of Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1475 in words and historical pictures. The trail, in the Grundy Forest area of the Park, is a project of the Friends of South Cumberland State Park, funded by a generous grant from the South Cumberland Community Fund. It takes visitors past the foundations and other remnants of the "village" that housed 200 young men and their leaders between 1935 and 1938, and the interpretive panels weave together the amazing story of the mission and contributions of the CCC to the South Cumberland Region.
The site is approximately 1/4 mile from the Grundy Forest trailhead, along the Grundy Day Loop Trail. The walk to, through and back from the site totals approximately one mile. The trail is generally easy, but there are sections with roots and rocks; sturdy walking shoes and walking sticks are recommended! Special thanks to Friends' CCC Team Lead Rob Moreland and Interpretive Area Designer Rick Dreves, as well as the dozens of volunteers, Park Rangers and others who worked diligently over the past 2-1/2 years to bring this fascinating piece of area and Park history to life! Can't make it out to the site? Click below to learn about the amazing story of CCC Company 1475, as told on the 13 interpretive panels now on display in the CCC Interpretive Area:
A trail and interpretive signage, part of a recently-completed Friends' initiative, allows visitors to learn about the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps at the newly-opened CCC Interpretive Area in South Cumberland State Park.
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A new outdoor classroom, named in honor of former CCC Superintendent and Tracy City leader Herman Baggenstoss, was dedicated at ceremonies opening the new CCC Interpretive Area. The classroom will be used by the Friends and Park Rangers for school programs, re-enactments, and other educational initiatives.
Friends of South Cumberland State Park CCC Project Team Lead Rob Moreland, left, and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Acting Deputy Commissioner Anne Marshall discuss the story of CCC Company 1475 during the dedication ceremonies opening the new CCC Interpretive Area at South Cumberland State Park in Tracy City, TN, on April 12, 2019.
Judy Phillips of the Franklin County Historical Society, left, with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Area Manager Chris Padgett discuss the story of CCC Company 1475 during the dedication ceremonies opening the new CCC Interpretive Area at South Cumberland State Park in Tracy City, TN, on April 12, 2019.
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South Cumberland celebrates 41 years!
On July 1, 1978, South Cumberland State Park was dedicated with less than 10,000 acres. Four decades later, it is the largest State Park in Tennessee, at nearly 31,000 acres. Today, the South Cumberland State Park is visited by nearly 750,000 people each year, and thanks to your support of the Friends, is as wild and spectacular as ever, with new trails and new ways to enjoy the park now available through the hard work of our Friends volunteers! Please take a moment to join or renew your membership in the Friends of South Cumberland State Park!
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Shop Online and help the Park with every purchase!
When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates a portion of your purchase directly to the Friends of South Cumberland! Bookmark this page, and use it whenever you shop at Amazon! 
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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 nearly 31,000 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!
