Who We Are

Our Mission

To protect, improve, and expand the state parks of the South Cumberland Plateau and to educate and inspire others to join us in this work.

The Friends of the Parks is a group of volunteer citizens dedicated to supporting Head of the Crow, Fiery Gizzard, and Savage Gulf State Parks.  Together, at more than 35,000 acres, the three 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.

What We Do

​The Friends of South Cumberland State Parks, Inc. is a non-profit group of volunteer citizens dedicated to supporting Fiery Gizzard, Savage Gulf, and Head of the Crow State Parks.  Together, these parks protect over 35,000 acres of pristine Tennessee wilderness.  Although this is great news, more land, and more visitors, creates new and urgent unmet needs for the parks. New trails must be built, and existing trails must be maintained or upgraded. New and expanded parking areas, restrooms, camping and picnic facilities, interpretive 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.

Funding 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.  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.