Our Mission

To aid and assist the managers and staffs of South Cumberland and Savage Gulf State Parks in meeting their objectives, and to inform, educate, engage, and inspire our members and the public to protect, conserve, and enjoy all the resources of the parks.
The Friends of South Cumberland is a group of volunteer citizens dedicated to supporting both South Cumberland and Savage Gulf State Parks.  Together, at more than 31,000 acres, the two parks represent one of the largest areas of protected pristine wilderness in Tennessee.

A 1993 law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly allows state parks to contract with and receive financial assistance from a friends group organized according to the law. Now, private citizens can be involved with and support the park through both volunteer work and financial support.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership corporation, funding for the Friends of South Cumberland is derived from individual and corporate memberships and from private donations. Our group was founded in 1993 and our tax deductible status was approved as of July, 1994. As a 501(c)3 non profit public benefit corporation, membership fees and gifts are Federally tax deductible.

Members will receive our TrailTracker e-letter, our newsletter, can participate in Friends of South Cumberland meetings and serve on committees and special park projects.

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Friends of South Cumberland will continue to support both South Cumberland and Savage Gulf State Parks

Friends of South Cumberland State Park, Inc., (“FSC”) has announced that it will continue to support both South Cumberland State Park and the newly-formed Savage Gulf State Park.  Savage Gulf had been part of South Cumberland State Park prior to the recent announcement of its designation as a new and separate Tennessee State Park. The Fiery Gizzard and Lost Cove areas remain a part of South Cumberland State Park.

FSC has served for nearly 30 years as the official support organization for South Cumberland State Park. “We are proud to continue to serve as the official support organization for over 31,000 acres of breathtaking Tennessee wilderness,” said FSC President Trae Moore. “Our leadership and strong volunteer base have helped conserve land, build and maintain trails, and support our Park Rangers in the areas comprising both of these spectacular Tennessee State Parks. Going forward, we intend to continue that service to both parks.”

“We have had a longstanding working relationship with our Park Managers and Rangers,” noted Moore. “We’re currently involved in major trail improvements in the Greeter Falls area of the new park.”  He added that FSC's Trails & Trilliums wildflower festival will be held in nearby Beersheba Springs in April of 2023.
PictureAt the announcement creating Savage Gulf State Park, clockwise from top left: SCSP Asst Mgr Bill Knapp; SGSP Asst Mgr Aaron Reid; Grundy Mayor Michael Brady; SCSP Mgr George Shinn; FSC President Trae Moore; TDEC Natural Areas Program Administrator Jason Miller; and TDEC Deputy Commissioner Greer Tidwell, Jr.
Moore noted that FSC also has projects underway in the original portion of South Cumberland State Park, which includes the Fiery Gizzard and Lost Cove areas of Grundy, Marion and Franklin Counties.  In that area, Moore says FSC will also continue to work closely with South Cumberland State Park Manager George Shinn and his team on improving trail conditions, creating new backcountry campgrounds and offering educational programs to elementary school students from across the region. FSC will also continue to offer the annual Trails and Trilliums spring wildflower festival, with proceeds benefiting both State Parks.

“We feel it is important for everyone to know that the Friends of South Cumberland State Parks, Inc., will continue to operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in support of both parks,” Moore explained. “Now, more than ever, we value the financial and volunteer support of our stakeholders, in order to meet the urgent needs and priorities of both of these spectacular State Parks,” Moore said.

Donations in support of FSC’s work for both Savage Gulf and South Cumberland State Parks can be made online at our Make A Gift page.  To learn more about FSC and its work, and to volunteer, visit the “What We Do” page of the FSC website.