An official website of the State of Georgia.
The new manager of Black Rock Mountain State Park considers herself to be one happy camper. In less than three years, she landed her dream job of taking care of Georgia’s highest state park. Cali Snider has been the park’s manager since this fall and is looking forward to spending her career right above Clayton.
Originally from Tennessee, Snider received her bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation from Eastern Tennessee State University. Her first job out of college was assistant manager of Stephen C. Foster State Park in the Okefenokee Swamp. From there, she served as assistant manager of Reed Bingham and Vogel state parks.
“It’s unusual to change jobs so often within the Georgia State Park system, but when I saw this opening at Black Rock, I just had to go for it,” said Snider. “Working here was my goal from the very beginning. I’m blessed.”
Her manager, Matt Owens, remarked that Snider told him of her plans – no matter how long it took -- the first time they met. “She’s a go-getter and very hard working,” said Owens. “She’s even the first person from her college degree program to be promoted to a park manager position. We’re very happy to have her at the park.”
Black Rock Mountain and nearby Moccasin Creek are the only two Georgia state parks which close for winter season. During this time, Cali and her team plan to install bear boxes at backcountry campsites, revamp the visitor center bathrooms, make improvements to rental cottages, and add a Georgia Grown section to the gift shop. The park will re-open to visitors on March 15.
Snider is looking forward to meeting more of her new neighbors come spring. She lives inside the park with her fiancé Jay Warren and dogs Lola and Charlie. She and Warren plan to get married this coming Easter weekend.
For more information about Black Rock Mountain State Park, visit GaStateParks.org/BlackRockMountain.
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