Opportunities From: Tennessee State Parks

The Native Plant Garden behind and in front of the Nature Center will soon be blooming and beautiful again as it emerges from its winter sleep! 

We are looking for a few dedicated volunteers with some gardening experience to:

1. Trim, spruce up and add mulch this lovely garden in March (materials provided!)

2. Add plants, weed and maintaining the garden a few hours each week through the summer.

Is this you?  Perhaps you and a friend may be interested too!  If you would like more information, contact Park Interpretive Ranger Christa Davidson for more details!

Every year state parks host a Weed Wrangle event to remove invasive species from park properties.  This year we are focusing on areas of the park that we cannot burn and must work by hand.  Please consider joining us as we do this important work to keep our wildflower fields in top shape and prepare for a beautiful spring full of flowers, butterflies and other beneficial insects.  Student groups are encouraged to participate to earn hours for scholarships!

As the Tennessee River bay water levels rise and fall as the result of management of Kentucky Lake, our shoreline collects trash.  We have made tremendous progress keeping our Park shorelines clean and need to do some cleanup around the point where our large cabins are located.  Join us as we do this important work and as a bonus, we will also be identifying mussel shells along the shoreline in this beautiful area!

Join our rangers and help us defend our native plants from invaders! This is a great way to earn service hours or just get active in preserving your local park's ecosystem. We will be removing various species of invasive plants in outdoor habitats such as open woods. Please be dressed to get muddy as this is a very physical activity. (closed-toed shoes, weather-sensible clothing, and water) We will provide the tools and instructions. We are looking forward to seeing you!

Join the Harpeth River State Park Rangers at the Hidden Lake parking lot to lend a hand in cleaning up the river bank. We will provide the bags, and gloves, you bring your love for the Harpeth River as we spend a few hours tidying up the river bank. 

Join us once a month to help out in various ways around the park. Each month we will be having a different opportunity so be sure to check back for updates. Please be sure to wear the proper clothing for the project of the month and always bring water.

February 7th - We will be working to get all the river equipment ready for the summer. Organizing, unboxing, and cleaning will be the main priorities. Meet at River Access, you can get directions upon arrival at the visitor center.

Join Rangers Hannah and Jessie for a Grundy Lakes Clean Up Day! We will be cleaning up old debris piles on the Lone Rock Trail as well as trash around the lakes. Please dress accordingly and dress for the weather. If you have work gloves, please bring them! Also make sure you have plenty of snacks and water. We will be meeting at the main Grundy Lakes parking lot where the bathrooms are located.

Looking for community service hours? Montgomery Bell could always use a helping hand!

We are in need of volunteers who are interested in history preservation and storm damage clean up and would like to assist by picking up sticks and limbs. Volunteers will meet Ranger Preston Williams at the Park Visitor Center at 10:00 AM where we will caravan to the workers cemetery.  Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather, closed toed shoes are required. Participants should bring their own water bottle. All other materials will be provided.

Support the Weed Wrangle initiative with Park Staff on the Keystone Trail at our Keystone Day Use Area from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on March 7th. Volunteers will meet at the Keystone Trail trailhead to check in. We will be removing invasive plant species and clearing the area around the trail to improve the lake shoreline habitat of native plant species! Participants are welcome to leave early or stay for the duration of the event. We will be providing gloves and tools; we just need you!

Join us to celebrate World Wetlands Day by participating in a Wetland Trash Clean-up with the Tennessee Delta Alliance (TDA) from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on February 18th. Volunteers will meet at the Reelfoot Lake State Park Visitor Center to check in. We will be surveying various day-use areas, creeks, and spillways for litter! By helping clean up litter, you will be helping to restore important wetland habitat for native wildlife species! 

Join us on the Spring Creek trail for a weed wrangle to help celebrate National Invasive Species Awareness Week. Take an active part in removing invasive plants on the park. learn about invasive species and how they affect our park while aiding our park in the ongoing project of removing invasive species on our Spring Creek Trail. 

We will meet at the Spring Creek Trailhead, located off the Wilhoite Mill Parking lot, at 9am. All materials, including gloves, will be provided for work. Guests are welcome to bring their own gloves or work materials, but they are not required. Guests should be able hike into the location along the spring creek trail and complete pulling and cutting of weeds. For more information about the accessibility of the program, please visit the Essential Eligibility Criteria PDF. 

Join park staff and volunteers for a lakeshore cleanup! We will meet at the Lakeview Marina at 10am.

Please weather appropriate work clothes and closed toed shoes. We will be picking up trash along the shoreline near the marina. Tools and trash bags will be provided but feel free to bring snacks and water.

Join park staff and volunteers at Tims Ford for the annual Weed Wrangle! We will meet at Lakeview Marina at 9am

Join Ranger Robinson and volunteers for a fun and rewarding morning of volunteering at Tims Ford. We will meet at Lakeview Marina where we will take a short ride to the island where we will begin clearing invasive species. Please wear appropriate work clothing and closed toed shoes. We will be providing snacks and tools for the event.

Join Standing Stone State Park staff for this years TN Serves and National Public Lands Day event. This year we will be conducting trail maintenance along the Jordan Spur Trail. This will include widening the trail where possible and vegetation management. All equipment and PPE will be provided by the park. Please bring water and snacks and wear clothing appropriate for the weather. 

Join Standing Stone State Park for this years Weed Wrangle. This year we will be focusing on promoting Native Rivercane habitat along Mill Creek. Participants will help clear areas along Mill Creek of invasive species and assist Rangers transplant Rivercane Rhizomes. All PPE and equipment will be provided by the park. Please be sure to bring water and snacks and wear clothing appropriate for the weather. 

Rock Island State Park needs your help! Join us as we clean up the Caney Fork River. Tasks will include cleaning up litter along the Caney Fork River Gorge between Twin Falls and Great Falls. This area is fairly strenuous, rocky, and wet so please plan accordingly.

If you need to complete community service or volunteer service hours to fulfill a requirement for scholarships, graduation, fraternity/sorority obligations, etc., this is a great opportunity to get those hours. Volunteers should plan on meeting Rangers at the Downstream Trail Parking Area at the end of Powerhouse Road at 10:00am. Volunteers will be briefed and given trash bags, trash grabbers, and gloves.

Please bring water and snacks if you would like and wear appropriate footwear/attire for the weather.

We honor all TN promise hours. 

If you have any questions about this volunteer workday, please feel free to reach out to us!

In case of inclement weather, volunteers will be contacted, and the event will be canceled. Please provide a good phone number and email address when registering

On February 14, a day of trail work and hiking will take place on the 2.5-mile section of the Cumberland Trail at the Obed Wild and Scenic River between Nemo Picnic Area and Alley Ford, adopted by TCWP in 1998. Participants should dress appropriately for winter weather, wear sturdy shoes or boots, and bring work gloves, loppers, small bow saws or folding saws, shovels, and grubbing tools, as well as a lunch and plenty of water. Cumberland Trail State Park personnel will also make some tools available at the event. 

Join the crew at Nemo Picnic Area or Rock Creek Campground at 10 a.m. We expect to return to the trailhead around 3 p.m.

(NOTE: If the weather is uncooperative—excessive rain, snow, or ice—we will reschedule for the following Saturday.)

Participants will need to sign a National Park Service volunteer form (parents’ or guardians’ signature required for minors).

Find more info at:

https://tcwp.org/event/cumberland-trail-alley-ford-workday/

Make a difference in a dog's life while enjoying the beauty of nature! Join us for a special event with Lawrence County - Lawrenceburg Animal Shelter. 

You must be able to pick up your assigned dog at the Animal Shelter. Be sure to sign up early as limited spots are available.

Meeting Point: Large parking lot past the park restaurant.

What to bring:

This is a great way to help shelter dogs get exercise, socialization, and love.

Reserve your spot Today!

Make a difference in a dog's life while enjoying the beauty of nature! Join us for a special event with Lawrence County - Lawrenceburg Animal Shelter. 

You must be able to pick up your assigned dog at the Animal Shelter. Be sure to sign up early as limited spots are available.

Meeting Point: Large parking lot past the park restaurant.

What to bring:

This is a great way to help shelter dogs get exercise, socialization, and love.

Reserve your spot Today!

This is a monthly volunteer opportunity, that occurs on the first Saturday of every month (barring events or unforeseen circumstances), intended to assist park staff with park projects and tasks. Parks projects and task can include: invasive plant removal, trail work, trash clean-up, storm/weather debris clean-up, gardening. Projects or task vary and will be conducted according to need.

If you need to complete community service or volunteer service hours to fulfill a requirement for scholarships, graduation, fraternity/sorority obligations, etc., let us know. If you just want to come out and help us, we would be happy to have you join us.

Volunteers should plan on meeting Ranger Brian Miller at the visitor center at 10:00am CT. Ranger Miller will brief all volunteers on the location in the park where the work will take place and the project/task to be done. Please bring bottled water with you and wear appropriate footwear/attire for the weather. If you have any questions about this volunteer work day, please contact Ranger Miller at Richard.Miller@tn.gov or 931-272-4777.

This is a monthly volunteer opportunity, that occurs on the first Saturday of every month (barring events or unforeseen circumstances), intended to assist park staff with park projects and tasks. Parks projects and task can include: invasive plant removal, trail work, trash clean-up, storm/weather debris clean-up, gardening. Projects or task vary and will be conducted according to need.

If you need to complete community service or volunteer service hours to fulfill a requirement for scholarships, graduation, fraternity/sorority obligations, etc., let us know. If you just want to come out and help us, we would be happy to have you join us.

Volunteers should plan on meeting Ranger Brian Miller at the visitor center at 10:00am CT. Ranger Miller will brief all volunteers on the location in the park where the work will take place and the project/task to be done. Please bring bottled water with you and wear appropriate footwear/attire for the weather. If you have any questions about this volunteer work day, please contact Ranger Miller at Richard.Miller@tn.gov or 931-272-4777.

*Weed Wrangle is part of a Garden Club of America's national stewardship effort to remove invasive plants from public spaces. Parks across the state will be hosting events that will not only be great opportunities for volunteers to get outside and help restore their native natural beauty, but also provide the knowledge and skill to combat these non-native invaders at your own home.*

This is a monthly volunteer opportunity, that occurs on the first Saturday of every month (barring events or unforeseen circumstances), intended to assist park staff with park projects and tasks. Parks projects and task can include: invasive plant removal, trail work, trash clean-up, storm/weather debris clean-up, gardening. Projects or task vary and will be conducted according to need.

If you need to complete community service or volunteer service hours to fulfill a requirement for scholarships, graduation, fraternity/sorority obligations, etc., let us know. If you just want to come out and help us, we would be happy to have you join us.

Volunteers should plan on meeting Ranger Brian Miller at the visitor center at 10:00am CT. Ranger Miller will brief all volunteers on the location in the park where the work will take place and the project/task to be done. Please bring bottled water with you and wear appropriate footwear/attire for the weather. If you have any questions about this volunteer work day, please contact Ranger Miller at Richard.Miller@tn.gov or 931-272-4777.

This is a monthly volunteer opportunity, that occurs on the first Saturday of every month (barring events or unforeseen circumstances), intended to assist park staff with park projects and tasks. Parks projects and task can include: invasive plant removal, trail work, trash clean-up, storm/weather debris clean-up, gardening. Projects or task vary and will be conducted according to need.

If you need to complete community service or volunteer service hours to fulfill a requirement for scholarships, graduation, fraternity/sorority obligations, etc., let us know. If you just want to come out and help us, we would be happy to have you join us.

Volunteers should plan on meeting Ranger Brian Miller at the visitor center at 10:00am CT. Ranger Miller will brief all volunteers on the location in the park where the work will take place and the project/task to be done. Please bring bottled water with you and wear appropriate footwear/attire for the weather. If you have any questions about this volunteer work day, please contact Ranger Miller at Richard.Miller@tn.gov or 931-272-4777.

Invasive species are one of the leading causes of loss of biodiversity worldwide. Join us out at Big Ridge State Park as we participate in the annual state-wide 2026 Weed Wrangle!

Meet Ranger Josh at the Big Ridge State Park Office to help remove invasive species found around the park from 9am to 12pm. If you are unsure what an invasive species is then we especially encourage you to come along so that we can all learn how to identify and treat them if you see them pop up in your back yard.

Help clean up Oak Grove boat ramp! 

Meet at Oak Grove Road Boat Ramp to clean up invasives and open the viewshed to the lake. Wear appropriate, long sleeve/long pant clothing and sturdy shoes. 

We will begin at 9:00am and go till 12:00pm. Water and lunch will be provided by the Friends of Norris Dam!

Show Sycamore Shoals some love and join us on February 13th at 1:00 for a volunteer work day. Activities include invasive plant removal, litter pick-up, cabin cleaning, trail work, and much more! Bring your friends and family and join Ranger Jason Davis as we work to ensure that this special historic site continues to be a place for future generations to enjoy! Volunteers wishing to participate should plan on arriving at the picnic area beside the Park Visitor Center starting at 1:00pm and we will wrap up by 4:00. Bring a water bottle, gloves, and a Volunteer Spirit!

Make a difference in a dog's life while enjoying the beauty of nature! Join us for a special event with Lawrence County - Lawrenceburg Animal Shelter. 

You must be able to pick up your assigned dog at the Animal Shelter. Be sure to sign up early as limited spots are available.

Meeting Point: Large parking lot past the park restaurant.

What to bring:

This is a great way to help shelter dogs get exercise, socialization, and love.

Reserve your spot Today!

Join Rock Island Park Rangers on Earth Day! Do you need volunteer hours for school, scouts, or something else? We have you covered with an amazing volunteer event! Meet us at the Sandbar Beach at the end of Beach Road at 10:00 AM for our River Clean Up.

Volunteers will be expected to move along the sandy beach, through the river gorge, and along trails to pick up trash and other debris. There is always plenty of litter and debris to go around for everyone! Trash bags, gloves, and other equipment will be provided by the park. This volunteer opportunity is great for individuals or groups who are looking to earn hours or just give back to our parks. Please wear sturdy and appropriate shoes and proper clothing for the weather and working outdoors.

You may also bring snacks and a refillable water bottle, which we would suggest you do! In the event of inclement weather, the event may be cancelled, and all attendees will be notified by text message or email, so be sure to provide a good contact when signing up. Also, be sure to visit the Galaxy digital website to register for this event officially.

Map Link to Sandbar Beach:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sandbar Beach and Pavillion/@35.8153663,-85.6518374,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88612b638295590f:0x5392c4ce3dbe3e75!8m2!3d35.8153663!4d-85.6466876!16s/g/11s53cv_s1?entry=tt

Join park staff at the historic John and Landon Carter Mansion (built in 1780) to help clean up litter along the riverbank and grounds. This beautiful site is located across town from the main park grounds, at 1031 Broad Street. The riverbank is a popular fishing spot, and the grounds are popular for folks to walk their dogs through the neighborhood. As such, inevitably trash ends up scattered about. Gloves, trash bags and water will be provided. Subject to rescheduling in the event of inclement weather. 

Join us on Saturday, March 28, for a special volunteer day at Duck Island in Warriors Path State Park. As part of the Duck Island Revival Project, we will be working together to dig up and remove invasive plants that threaten the island’s natural habitat. This effort is an important step in restoring native biodiversity and creating a healthier ecosystem for wildlife and visitors.

This volunteer day is part of a much larger restoration initiative made possible by Warriors Path State Park, Friends of Warriors Path, and the Iris Fund. Thanks to this support, we will be removing an obsolete tennis court, creating a vibrant pollinator garden, planting native trees, and revitalizing historic picnic areas. These improvements will help us uphold the high standard of care we strive for in Tennessee State Parks and ensure Duck Island remains a beautiful, sustainable space for generations to come. By joining us, you’ll be contributing to a project that truly makes a lasting difference for the park and the community.

Breakfast will be provided at 8:30 AM, and work will begin promptly at 9:00 AM. The park will provide all necessary tools for the work, and for safety reasons, participants are not allowed to bring chainsaws or power tools. We encourage everyone to wear sturdy, weather-appropriate clothing suitable for outdoor work and the conditions. Gloves and eye protection are strongly recommended, and please bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. We expect to work for about three hours.

This is a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the environment while enjoying the beauty of Duck Island. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Park Ranger Ethan if you have any questions at Ethan.Sane@TN.gov. We look forward to seeing you there!

Assist park staff in picking up litter, returning equipment to storage buildings and other general clean-up activity after large scale events. Volunteers should be able to lift up to 50 pounds and walk two miles of park roads and parking area perimeters. 

On March 28th report to the gift shop booth on Raccoon Creek Road.

We are excited to offer an ongoing volunteer opportunity at Warriors Path State Park focused on restoring the natural beauty of Duck Island. Volunteers will play a vital role in removing invasive plant species, with a primary focus on Autumn Olive, to help protect native habitats and improve biodiversity. This work will involve using small hand silky saws and manual uprooting techniques—please note that chainsaws and other power tools are not permitted. Participants should be prepared for physical activity, including dragging downed brush and uprooting shrubs, as well as assisting with litter removal along trails and picnic areas. All tools will be provided, and volunteers are encouraged to dress for outdoor work, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water and snacks. This is a great opportunity to make a lasting impact on the park’s ecosystem while enjoying time outdoors and contributing to conservation efforts.

Feel free to contact ranger Ethan Sane at Ethan.Sane@tn.gov or 865-863-0790

Join us for the National Public Lands Day and the first lady's initiative TNServes where she believes that  each Tennessean has the power to transform their community by finding an area they are passionate about and giving of their time, talents and resources, and we do too! So come and help support our beautiful park. 

Projects will vary depending on need and number of volunteers. 

We will cancel for inclement weather. However, we will work in light rain/snow and temperatures above freezing. 

Please dress appropriately and bring water! We have gloves but you can also bring your own. 

Weed Wrangle® is a one-day, area-wide, volunteer effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines, and flowering plants. Supervised by an expert in invasive weed management, Weed Wrangle® volunteers learn, practice and begin a habit of maintaining an area free of non-native invasive plants and encourage replanting with natives in removal areas. By engaging our neighbors and challenging them to take action in their own spaces, we hope to create a movement that will have the greatest impact on the invasive plant population.

Join us as we get rid of the pests. We will be using loppers to cut and remove unwanted invasives in the park like Chinese privet, bush honeysuckle, Bradford pears, and many more. 

Projects will vary depending on need and number of volunteers. 

We will cancel for inclement weather. However, we will work in light rain/snow and temperatures above freezing. 

Please dress appropriately and bring water! We have gloves but you can also bring your own. Children are welcomed but must be supervised by adults the entire time. 

Join us on the First Saturdays of the Month for volunteer opportunities throughout the park. 

Opportunities include:

Projects will vary depending on need and number of volunteers. 

We will cancel for inclement weather. However, we will work in light rain/snow and temperatures above freezing. 

Please dress appropriately and bring water! We have gloves but you can also bring your own. 

Join us on the First Saturdays of the Month for volunteer opportunities throughout the park. 

Opportunities include:

Projects will vary depending on need and number of volunteers. 

We will cancel for inclement weather. However, we will work in light rain/snow and temperatures above freezing. 

Please dress appropriately and bring water! We have gloves but you can also bring your own. 

Join us on the First Saturdays of the Month for volunteer opportunities throughout the park. 

Opportunities include:

Projects will vary depending on need and number of volunteers. 

We will cancel for inclement weather. However, we will work in light rain/snow and temperatures above freezing. 

Please dress appropriately and bring water! We have gloves but you can also bring your own. 

Join us on the First Saturdays of the Month for volunteer opportunities throughout the park. 

Opportunities include:

Projects will vary depending on need and number of volunteers. 

We will cancel for inclement weather. However, we will work in light rain/snow and temperatures above freezing. 

Please dress appropriately and bring water! We have gloves but you can also bring your own. 

Join us on the First Saturdays of the Month for volunteer opportunities throughout the park. 

Opportunities include:

Projects will vary depending on need and number of volunteers. 

We will cancel for inclement weather. However, we will work in light rain/snow and temperatures above freezing. 

Please dress appropriately and bring water! We have gloves but you can also bring your own. 

Join us on the First Saturdays of the Month for volunteer opportunities throughout the park. 

Opportunities include:

Projects will vary depending on need and number of volunteers. 

We will cancel for inclement weather. However, we will work in light rain/snow and temperatures above freezing. 

Please dress appropriately and bring water! We have gloves but you can also bring your own. 

Are you interested in helping maintain one of Frozen Head's remote trails? Then a Volunteer Vacation is the perfect event for you! All camping gear and food will be provided and will be shuttled to the campsite if possible. We will then camp out for 3 nights. We will work from approximately 9AM to 4PM each day, then relax at camp and have fun exploring Frozen Head's remote backcountry. We will focus on the Old Mac loop (North and South Old Mac).

This would be a perfect opportunity for someone looking for more outdoor or job experience, but without the whole summer to commit to an internship. It will also be a great experience to learn about backcountry camping basics and trail maintenance. Anyone is welcome, but spots are limited and must be reserved in advance. Please email Ranger Blake Melancon at blake.melancon@tn.gov with any questions.

In the event of bad weather (storms, not just rain), this event will be cancelled.

Spend Valentine's Day at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Where we will be sharing our Love of Birds. Participants will build wood duck nesting boxes to support local wildlife efforts. 

This hands-on program is perfect for couples, friends, or solo participants. Pairs will be making one box. Park Staff will provide materials and instruction, along with information about wood ducks and how nesting boxes help them thrive. 

If you are celebrating Valentine's Day as a couple or solo this event is for you! This event is a meaningful way to connect with others and nature. 

Join us for a fulfilling Earth Day while improving upon our planet! We will pick up trash next to the 4th longest river on Earth.  

Join us for the annual Weed Wrangle at Pickwick Landing State Park!  We'll be working to remove invasive privet from the edges of the tree lines to make room for natives to reclaim the area!  

Volunteers have two one-hour opportunities to assist.  We'll have one 2-hour shift from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and a second option from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm.  Volunteers are welcome to attend both sessions if they choose.  Volunteers will check-in at the Park Office at the address below.

Please wear clothing appropriate for landscaping type activities and closed toe shoes.  Gloves, loppers, bug spray, and sunscreen will be available but feel free to bring your own gloves or tools.

We will have a water cooler on hand.  Please bring reusable water bottles that you can refill as needed.

Join our fight against invaders! It's difficult to enjoy our native plants and animals when something is pushing them out! So come on out and take part in this state-wide effort. Lend your local Tennessee State Park a hand in ridding our woods of some Chinese Privet, an incredibly invasive plant that grows on and a little past the wood line.

This event will be held on the first Sunday of every month, with the goal of keeping Rocky Fork's trails and creeks free of litter.  Meet Park Ranger Cory Franklin in the campfire interpretive area, we will either go along the road or up Rocky Fork trail in search of litter.

Rocky Fork has the cleanest water of any tributary in the Nolichucky River Watershed. With 2,300 acres of parkland surrounded by 8,000 acres of National Forest.  We aim to keep Rocky Fork pristine and would love to have your help!

Gloves and trash bags will be provided, but feel free to bring your own supplies.  

All ages welcome! 

Interested in learning to work with birds of prey?  Join Roan Mountain State Park for a series of volunteer workdays with Park Ranger Phil Hylen and our park owls: Shiloh and Sunshine.  Volunteers will help the park to clean owl cages, complete minor aviary maintenance, and assist with the care of the owls (obtaining weights, checking housing conditions, and learning their stories to educate the public).  Each shift will begin by meeting Ranger Phil at the Park Headquarters building to sign in and brief for the shift.  While 3 volunteers will help to clean, a handler will be present to work with the owls directly and train cleaners on skillsets necessary to work directly with the owls.      

Shifts vary on time and the maximum number of volunteers.  We will be trying to conduct two volunteer days per week to allow for more enrichment time with the owls and volunteers.  

Bledsoe Creek State Park's full campground reopens on March 1st! Each year our volunteers help us prepare by washing the road signs and campsite pedestals. Regular maintenance allows these to last longer and remain visible to all our incoming guests. Meet us at the Visitor Center to receive supplies and give your park staff a helping hand as we ready the park for the in-season.

Our Reading Ranger Story Trail panels are beloved by our youngest visitors. To help them last for many more seasons volunteers wash them and report any damage from falling branches or overzealous readers. Meet at the Visitor Center to collect supplies for a leisurely afternoon on the shaded, paved half mile loop.

If you have a little more time you can check on our Little Free Library located near the bathhouse on Woodchuck Hollow. We periodically straighten the books to be sure it is in good order for our camping community. Do you know someone with carpentry skills? We'd love to add another Little Free Library near the Raccoon Creek day-use area so please have them contact us at 615-452-3706.

Bledsoe Creek State Park added a pollinator garden in 2019 with the support of Friends of Bledsoe Creek State Park and a grant from the Iris Fund. With careful selection of native perennials and self seeding annuals this area has flourished. Located adjacent to the Visitor Center, it serves as a wildlife habitat, educational tool and visual interest for passersby. In every season there are tasks we can use volunteer assistance with to maintain the pollinator garden! In the spring we apply mulch and soil amendments if needed. During the summer and fall we'll be weeding and ensuring the plant markers are visible. In the winter we will put the garden to bed being careful to maintain a habitat for pollinators to overwinter. This is a family-friendly opportunity appropriate for all ages!

Join us on the First Saturdays of the Month for volunteer opportunities throughout the park. 

Opportunities include:

Projects will vary depending on need and number of volunteers. 

We will cancel for inclement weather. However, we will work in light rain/snow and temperatures above freezing. 

Please dress appropriately and bring water! We have gloves but you can also bring your own. 

Join Master Trailbuilders every third Thursday and Saturday for the ongoing quest to fully flush out the trail system at Head of the Crow State Park.  Our current objective is rerouting a treacherous section of the Buggytop Trail to increase its accessibility to our visitors.  From newbies to pros all volunteers are welcome and we will supply all tools, gloves, and eye protection. All you need to bring are snacks, water, closed-toed shoes, and a happy attitude!  Volunteers should expect to hike 3 miles over difficult uneven terrain, work with various hand tools, and leave with a warm sense of fulfillment after a good day's work.  

Remove sticks and downfall limbs from trail, picnic area, and inside fort. Collect and dispose of litter from trail and park grounds. 

Are you interested in recreating with purpose? Do you seek adventure and new experiences? If so, working with the Rock Island team to explore and understand Rock Island State Park may be the perfect avenue for giving back & learning new skills!

We are interested in your passion, hobby, educational aspirations, or outdoor pursuits. What do you love about TN State Parks? Are you a lover of geology, botany, birds, salamanders, trails, fishing, hiking, or maybe you long to just be in wild places. Whatever motivates you, we need your drive to help us monitor the health of the species, assemblages, and processes that exist within Rock Island State Park.

Specifically, we hope to employ volunteers to conduct bird surveys during their time in the park and visit designated survey locations in the park. We need volunteers to help conduct floristic surveys using scientific sampling techniques. Gaining a more complete picture of the plants that live in the park and their response to management efforts is critical! We will show you the skills to map, identify, and monitor the spread of invasive plant species and will guide you through how your activities can benefit the long-term stewardship of your wild places.

Discover scientific exploration at your doorstep while having fun and helping to protect wild places for the future!

Are you passionate about trails? Do you daydream about your next hike? Do you want to give back to the day hiking and thru-hiking community?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then we would love to have you join us in the design, creation, and maintenance of the trail systems at Rock Island State Park! Join our passionate staff in creating a legacy of hiking access!

This volunteer position will help us meet ongoing needs for trail work park wide. The Trailblazer brings their experiences and perspectives to design and care of trails. The Trailblazer leads the way for other volunteers, is someone who has a steward's heart, and is a lover of wild places. Do you have hiking friends who would like to help? Are you already organizing excursions for your hiking squad? Help us clear trails of obstacles, establish tread-paths, map future routes, and blaze the trail for others to follow. 

Does this sound like you?

Want to know more and talk to a Ranger? Click Respond and leave a message with your contact information. Thank you for your volunteerism!

Reducing the incidence of invasive plants in wild places allows time and space for the flourishing of a diverse biotic community. The exclusion of rare, endemic, or specialist species in an ecologically globalized world is common.

However, uncommon and extremely valuable are the ecological stewards who can help alleviate this pressure and provide time for ecological adaptation. Do you live in a "world of wounds" so eloquently described by the father of Conservation Biology, Aldo Leopold? Do you want to help keep all the parts on the landscape and be the intelligent tinkerer, the steward, that wild places demand of us?

Join the Rock Island State Park team in the establishment of our first ever ongoing volunteer based Invasive Species Strike Team. Your actions will have a direct impact on the success of endemic, rare, and threatened species in the park. Your volunteerism matters! Your actions can have an impact for generations!

The strike team will use hand tools, mechanical tools, and herbicide to target and remove the identified invasive plants in Rock Island State Park. Previous experience is not required; training and guidance will be given. 

The strike team is designed with you in mind and built around the team's interest and schedule. Learn practical skills for wildlife habitat improvement, learn plant identification, apply ecological principles in real time with satisfying feedback. The strike team can be a group you are already a part of. Are you a wildlife student with a group of classmates looking for a curriculum vitae boost? Do you have a group of friends who love wild places and want to give back?

If this sounds like you and you want to learn more, click respond and leave a message with your contact information. Thanks for your volunteerism!

Are you a student looking to complete Tennessee Promise Volunteer Hours? If so stop by the Big Ridge Park Office to learn how you can serve your community at Big Ridge State Park! 

Gardening, weeding, branch removal. 

It's that time of year again, the 2026 Cummins Falls Marathon will be on February 28th 2026. We will need lots of help the day before the races, the day of the races and the day after. Volunteer tasks may include helping with food prep and serving food to runners, manning aid stations along the route and helping set up and take down before and after the event. Volunteers will recieve a free T-shirt. We will need help from 2pm-4:30pm on the 27th , from 6:30am - 3pm on the 28th (race day) and anytime from 8am-4:30pm the day after the race on March 1st.  If you are interested in volunteering, please e-mail Ranger Lauren at lauren.fagin@tn.gov 

Need volunteer hours? Want to lend a helping hand? Cummins Falls State Parks welcomes volunteers year round for various miscellaneous tasks. There is always trash that needs picked up, invasives that need eradicated, trails that need maintained and projects going on at the park. We welcome volunteers anytime during our park hours from 8am - 4:30pm every day, whether you lend a hand for 30 minutes or 7.5 hours, we encourage you to come out! If you are interested in volunteering at Cummins Falls, please e-mail Park Ranger Lauren at lauren.fagin@tn.gov

For volunteers at Rocky Fork that do not fall under other volunteer opportunities. 

Join T. O. Fuller Park staff prepping trees on Thursday, March 19, 2026 for distribution on Friday, March 20, 2026, 9 am-5 pm and Saturday, March 21, 2026, 9 am-noon.

When signing up to volunteer, please put date and time available to volunteer in notes. Volunteers may work multiple shifts. Water will be provided.

Thursday, March 19, 2026 11am-3pm—Two volunteers needed to prep trees (wrap roots in paper, put identifier tags on trees, and group for pick up)

Friday, March 20, 2026 Shift One: 9am-1pm—Three volunteers needed to give out trees Shift Two: 1-5pm—Three volunteers needed to give out trees

Saturday, March 21, 2026 8:30am-12:30pm—Two volunteers needed to give out trees

Do you have a specific reason you need to volunteer? Is work, school, or something else entirely telling you that you need to log some hours somewhere? Are you simply bored and want to be both not bored AND productive? Do not fear, we have just the opportunities for you! Just give us a call (901-543-7581) or email Ranger Wheatley (clarence.wheatley@tn.gov) and we can create a volunteer opportunity that most interests you! We have opportunities involving trash pick-up, invasive plant removal, general cleaning services, gardening, program set-up, painting, trail work, animal care and much more!

The park's native flower beds are looking great!  To stay looking good, we need your help.  We are looking for volunteers to help maintain our beautiful gardens.  Work will include cutting back last year's growth, trimming plants, blowing fall leaves out, pulling the ever present dreaded weeds and general TLC.

This is a great opportunity to earn volunteer hours for TN Naturalist certification, scholarships, school, or scouting badges!  Please wear appropriate clothing and closed toe shoes; if you have work gloves and hand pruners feel free to bring them, all other tools will be provided.

Volunteer who is assisting in hospitality and maintenance functions in the campground and other park operations, and facilitates the recreational experience of the state park visitors. Duties may include but are not limited to: Camper orientation & information, light maintenance, reporting inappropriate activities or potential maintenance hazards, park programming and collection of fees and sales. Host agrees to exercise hospitality towards campers and are visible representatives of the state park during their frequent interactions with the public. Host is required to volunteer for a minimum of 20 hours per week for no more than 9 consecutive months.

Responding to this opportunity indicates an interest in volunteering in this role at the park. An application and review process will still need to be done. Acceptance into the host position is based on availability and compatibility. All adults residing at the site are subject to a background check. 

Please reach out to Michelle Neil directly for more information (731) 253-8003

Are you a History Lover and love to share your knowledge or would you like to learn more about nature, farm life, gardening, or history specifically around the 1930-40s? We would love to invite some enthusiasts to become Sadie Ford Farm Attendants.

The primary job to just to be available to visitors to answer questions and give tours of the farmhouse while the Farm is open. Don't worry about knowing everything, we have a frequently asked answers all ready for you, in case you need some help. We will also love to train you to better assist the public on all things history, farm life, gardening, and nature. 

We are looking for novice historians, college bound scholars, TNP students past and present needing volunteer hours, or any who would just love to volunteer their time and enjoy history, gardening, and nature with people. 

Bonus if you love animals, especially chickens and wild children.

Additional duties would be tours of the property, basic cleaning, gardening, and some animal care.  

Must apply and be interviewed before volunteering. 

Our State Parks are beautiful and unique places that should be enjoyed by everyone. Unfortunately, trash and litter always seem to make its way into the parks as well and sometimes there just is not enough time in a day to clean it all up. We need your help to keep the park beautiful and in return, you will earn volunteer service hours and a feeling of accomplishment

. This is an ongoing opportunity for community members and those who need volunteer hours to assist with clean-up duties throughout the park in areas with high levels of debris and/or litter. Trash bags and gloves will be provided to you by the park. Sturdy, closed toes shoes and a bottle of water are required for this opportunity. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.  Please contact the site supervisor to schedule your visit. Each participant must sign a liability waiver before volunteering to receive credit.

Love Burgess Falls? Need volunteer hours?

Then come lend a hand helping park staff make Burgess Falls the best it can be!

The first Wednesday of each month, Burgess Falls will host a volunteer workday.

Projects will range from trash removal and tree debris removal to invasive species removal and trail maintenance projects. 

Arrive at our park office, 8487 Burgess Falls Rd, at 9am for sign in and briefing on the project/tasks to be accomplished for the day.

Gloves and tools will be provided by the park.

Participants must be at least 14 years or older to participate.

Please wear closed toed shoes, long pants, and appropriate clothing for the weather.

If inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled for the next Wednesday of the month. 

Are you interested in helping us with Living History demonstrations and re-enactments? Register for this opportunity if you'd like to participate as a living historian at any of these upcoming events, including: 

Other hours and opportunities are available. We appreciate your dedication to our cause!

RMSP is looking for volunteers interested in hiking and trail building to assist our park with maintaining and improving park trails.  Trail maintenance can be done in a general fashion or by adopting a trail to monitor and maintain on a regular basis.  Maintenance duties include lopping overgrowth, leaf blowing, blazing trails, assisting park rangers with trail structures, and utilizing Avenza Maps to mark any issues found while inspecting trails.  

To register as a trail volunteer, please contact Ranger Marco Rodriguez at Marco.Rodriguez@tn.gov to schedule a time!

Various tasks at Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park

Sabine Hill Social Society is a group of dedicated individuals who focus on helping Sycamore Shoals with educational events and social activities, early 19th century period clothing assistance, and helping with representing the Federalist period of time in America. 

Chickasaw State Park invites volunteers to take part in an ongoing conservation effort to remove invasive plant species from our pollinator fields. These fields are essential habitat for native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that help maintain the health and diversity of our local ecosystems.

This is a flexible, open volunteer opportunity available throughout the season. Individuals, families, school groups, scout troops, and service organizations are all welcome. No prior experience is necessary - park staff will provide tools, gloves, and guidance.

We always need help from our visitors to help keep our trails clear from debris and trash.  Make sure to have a volunteer form filed out before you can submit hours.  Thank you!

Do you need volunteer hours or just want to support park trails?

Activities can include :

Picking up litter, leaf blowing, invasive plant removal, trail upkeep, and light maintenance tasks!

Stop by the office or email Ranger Marhya at Marhya.Faulk@tn.gov to set up a shift!

Are you a nature lover and love to share your knowledge or would you like to learn more about nature? We would love to invite some enthusiasts to become Nature Center Attendants.

The primary job to just to be available to the visitors to answer questions while the Nature Center is open. Don't worry about knowing everything, we have a frequently asked answers all ready for you, in case you need some help. We will also love to train you to better assist the public on all things nature. 

We are looking for novice naturalists, college bound scholars, TNP students past and present needing volunteer hours, or any who would just love to volunteer their time and enjoy nature with people. 

Bonus if you love animals, especially snakes and wild children.

Additional duties would be  tours of the nature center, basic cleaning, gardening, and some animal care.  

Must apply and be interviewed before volunteering. 

Join Our Invasive Plant Removal Volunteer Program!

Help protect native ecosystems and restore the natural beauty of our local habitats by joining our Invasive Plant Removal Volunteer Program! This hands-on conservation effort focuses on removing invasive plant species that threaten the health and diversity of our environment.

What We’ll Be Removing:

Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum)

Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense)

Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)

Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)

These non-native species outcompete native plants, degrade wildlife habitat, and disrupt natural ecological processes. Your help will make a real difference in preserving the local environment for future generations!

What to Expect:

Training and tools will be provided

Light to moderate physical activity

Opportunities to learn about native and invasive plant species

Invasive Species are threatening our worlds biodiversity!

Join Big Ridge State Park in our efforts to thin out invasives that threaten our ecosystem! Meet Park Staff at the Park Office between 9am to 4:30pm and a Park Ranger will assist you with where to find and eliminate invasives species in our area.

If you do not know how to identify invasive species we especially encourage you to come out so we can teach you!

With the help from our Community we can really make a difference!

Volunteer to help clearing and maintaining trails throughout our new trails on Camp Hazlewood. Please e-mail the coordinator Brandon Baker at Brandon.Baker@tn.gov to set up a date and time to volunteer.

Volunteer Campground Host: Volunteer who is assisting in hospitality and maintenance functions in the campground and other park operations, and facilitates the recreational experience of the state park visitors. Duties may include but are not limited to: Camper orientation & information, Light maintenance, reporting inappropriate activities or potential maintenance hazards, park programming and collection of fees and sales. Host agrees to exercise hospitality towards campers and are visible representatives of the state park during their frequent interactions with the public. Host is required to volunteer for a minimum of 20 hours per week for no more than 9 consecutive months. 

Volunteer to help on the Park and provide much needed help while earning hours needed to complete required community service required for Tennessee Promise eligibility status.

Service hours can be completed over multiple volunteer days.

Contact the park office for more information on current park needs 731-641-4465

Indian Mountain State Park is known by its visitors as a beautifully maintained park. It takes a lot to keep the park pristine for present visitors, much less improve it for future ones. Volunteer assistance is always appreciated here at Indian Mountain, so we offer a variety of opportunities year-round. Volunteers are always welcome and can help with general maintenance, picking up trash, invasive plant removal, gardening, and so much more! If you have something you would like to do at the park with specifically, let us know and we will see if we can make it happen! Whether you are assisting for one hour or eight, your contributions would make a difference here at Indian Mountain!

Please contact the Ranger on duty at 423-566-5861 in advance during business hours to coordinate scheduling.

Need some volunteer hours? Just want to be a great steward? We appreciate your help no matter what!

Purpose: The purpose of the opportunity is to create a monitoring system for our trails that can provide quick repairs and improve safety on the trail. It allows volunteers to provide important information to park rangers of trail issues, or safety risk on our trail that needs immediate attention. 

When: You can do this at your own leisure. No set time or trail for this. 

Where:  All trails

What to do: Hiking one or multiple trails and either reporting issues or fixing issues yourself. Examples of issues that you can fix are clearing debris of trail such as lose rocks, tree limbs or other items that may impede your hike and removing trash/litter from trail. Examples of issues that you would report would be, down trees over the trail, hazardous trees, bridges broken/not operating correctly, trail markers missing, and any hazards you think should be reported to a Ranger. (Trash pick up is better during the spring on trails next to lake. When spring rains bring the lake back up. Down trees are all year but more severe during winter and early spring)

After your hike please report your hours back on here this gives you credit and allows you another confirmation that the hours were completed if you need volunteer hours. It also allows state park to keep track of volunteer hours at our park and throughout the state. After you report your hours please email Justin.Vaughn@tn.gov about details of your hike. Be as detailed as you possible can about the issues you encountered, such as what trail you were on,  approximate location, size of trees, and how severe you think the issues is. You can even send photos of issues to this email if you want. All this informations makes park staff better prepared for the trail issues which saves time, money and makes for quicker fixes.

Experience: Basic hiking experience and trail knowledge

Questions: Contact Park Ranger Justin Vaughn

Our State Parks are beautiful and unique places that should be enjoyed by everyone. Unfortunately, trash and litter always seems to make its way into the parks as well and sometimes there just is not enough time in a day to clean it all up. We need your help to keep the park beautiful and in return, you will earn volunteer service hours and a feeling of accomplishment.

This is an ongoing opportunity for community members and those who need volunteer hours to assist with clean-up duties throughout the park in areas with high levels of debris and/or litter. Trash bags and gloves will be provided to you by the park. Sturdy, closed toes shoes are required for this opportunity. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. 

Please contact the site supervisor to schedule your visit. Each participant must sign a liability waiver before volunteering to receive credit. 

This is Ground Zero for Grounds Heroes! A pre-cursor to our Adopt-a-Trail program, this is an opportunity to get some trail clearing experience while helping out your friendly neighborhood TN State Park!

Our Discovery Loop is 4.5 miles of beautiful woodlands and wetlands, broken up into 6, color-coded sections that make planning trail maintenance much simpler. Our 2-mile Initiation Loop, created for us by the Trail Trippers, is a more difficult-to-hike trail that even has some reforestation opportunities.

Come out and help T.O. Fuller Rangers and Maintenance clear our trails of fallen limbs and trees, cut back encroaching foliage, and pick up any litter that may have accrued. We will usually target 2 sections of the Discovery Loop or half of the Initiation Loop in a given day. We will provide water, but please bring a refillable water bottle.

(p.s. Our next dates are September 14th and September 15th.)

Are you interested in volunteering at Pickwick Landing State Park?  Contact us today to schedule a volunteer time!

Email Interpretive Ranger Rachel Boothe to set up a time to volunteer at rachel.boothe@tn.gov

If you are interested in volunteering with our Birds of Prey, particularly in their care and the care of their aviaries, this is the PERFECT opportunity for YOU!

Any and all things Disc Golf related.

General course maintenance, cleanup, assistance with projects, and support.

The Duck River Disc Golf Club has on-going tasks available to support the park and the creation of a new course behind the park cabins. Please use the email attached for further information. 

This is an ongoing opportunity for those who are volunteering at the park to satisfy their Tn Promise hours outside of specific volunteer events . Work tasks include, but are not limited too: River bank and Road way clean up, Trail work, cleaning, and natural resource management.

 This is an ongoing opportunity for those who are volunteering at the park outside of specific volunteer events for hours towards educational, scholarship, or community service. Work tasks include, but are not limited too: River bank and Road way clean up, Trail work, cleaning, and natural resource management.

Are you interested in helping at Tims Ford State Park?  Your help may be needed with day to day activities around the nature center and the park's programming animals.  Just reach out to us and we can set you up volunteering with a task that fits you just right!

See you soon!

We have a multitude of container and traditional gardens leading up to and surrounding the Miller Farmstead. Over time, we'd like to convert each of these plots into arrangements of native and traditionally-relevant perennial plants that will provide eco-services to local wildlife and be beautiful to look at for our visitors. 

We are currently recruiting regular service volunteers to adopt small garden plots to maintain on a regular basis. Maintenance can be as little as tackling weeds in an existing plot for half an hour twice a month during the growing season, or as much as designing appropriate plantings and working with staff to renew a bed from start to finish.

This is an opportunity where experienced gardeners can work relatively independently, but we are happy to provide training and direction to inexperienced gardeners where needed. Bring your own tools and gloves, or use ours. 

If you'd like a smaller project to manage that will make a big difference and be seen and enjoyed by millions of visitors, we welcome your help. 

Volunteer activities throughout the year such as Christmas lights, Easter egg Hunt, Fishing Rodeo, Frontier Days, Jr. Ranger, etc.  

Interested in history or have experience with historic preservation? Are you needing volunteer hours to receive or maintain a related certification? Roan Mountain State Park is in the process of researching and cataloging holdings into our newly established park archives. We are looking for volunteers to assist with preservation and archival activites.

Shifts are flexible and will be scheduled as volunteers and park staff are available. Activities will include coordinating as a team to carefully move objects (which may be both heavy and delicate), bending, reaching overhead, climbing a step ladder, and more. 

For more information, please respond to this opportunity. Ranger staff will contact you to discuss what you are interested in contributing and to coordinate further. 

This is for individuals to keep track of hours they volunteer on the MTB trail project for days other than organized trail workdays. Individuals who use this registration have obtained approval by Ranger staff

* Volunteers are required to make contact with Ranger Staff prior to working on the trial. If individuals work without contacting Ranger staff, they will be asked to leave. 

Please Contact Ranger Jesse Jewell for further information @ (931) 494-6660 or jesse.jewell@tn.gov

Completing any task such as clean up, new nets, or area management of the course

Do you love State Parks? Do you love giving back to your community? Join us at Big Ridge State Park to make a difference. Big Ridge is always welcoming volunteers for park ground clean ups, trail monitoring, weed eating, and lots more. If you are interested, please contact Big Ridge Park Office at (865)-992-5523 to see how you can help!

TN Promise Hours