Parks / Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
National River & Recreation Area · KY,TN
Encompassing 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. The area boasts miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, is rich with natural and historic features and has been developed to provide visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities.
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (5)
Big South Fork’s Brewster Bridge Road to Temporarily Close for Repair
Brewster Bridge Road in Big South Fork NRRA will temporarily close for repair and re-pavement beginning on Monday, June 29. The road was heavily damaged from significant rain events in 2022 and 2023. The area boat launch and day use area will be inaccessible during the project.
The Use of Drones is Prohibited at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Currently, the use of drones is prohibited at Big South Fork and all National Parks. Detailed information about the policy is available...
Big South Fork Announces Temporary Closure of Blue Heron Tipple Bridge
Big South Fork NRRA has announced the temporary closure of the historic Blue Heron Tipple Bridge, effective immediately in the interest of visitor safety. A recent bridge safety inspection conducted by the Federal Highway Administration identified structural issues specific to the pier’s bridge decking which is now leaning beyond acceptable standards.
Firewood ban is in effect for the park.
Firewood ban is in effect for the park. Only firewood from the surrounding counties of Scott, Morgan, Pickett, and Fentress, in Tennessee, and McCreary in Kentucky, can be brought into the park. Firewood is for sale or you may use dead and down wood.
Black Bears at Big South Fork
Black bears call Big South Fork NRRA home. Help keep them healthy and safe by storing all food, cooking items, feed, cosmetics and coolers properly stored when at campgrounds or in the backcountry.
Entrance Fees
This park is fee-free.
Campgrounds (5)
Alum Ford Campground
Alum Ford is a primitive campground and offers six campsites with a vault toilet facility. No drinking water is located at this area. Alum Ford also has a boat ramp. There are no fees to use the ramp.
Details →Bandy Creek Campground
The campground offers a total of 181 campsites: 96 trailer sites which offer water and electric hook-ups, 49 sites for tent camping, and two group camping loops with 19 sites in one loop and 16 sites in the other. All campsites include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms and showers. A dump station is located near the registration kiosk. There are no sewer hook-ups at individual trailer sites. The group campsites also have their own cook shelters and campfire circles.
Details →Bear Creek Campground
This campground contains 23 developed campsites. Each site offers water and electricity, tables, grills, tie-outs for 4 horses, access to modern restrooms with hot showers, a dump station and access miles of horse trails. Bear Creek Horse Camp is located on Bear Creek Road off Hwy. 742, west of Stearns, Kentucky. The fee rate per night is $28.00 (half price for holders of the Interagency Access/Senior Passes).
Details →Blue Heron Campground
Blue Heron Campground is located in the Kentucky portion of Big South Fork, 9 miles west of Stearns off Highway 742. The campground offers a total of 45 sites all with water and electric hook-ups, picnic tables, fire-rings, access to restrooms and showers and a dump station.
Details →Station Camp Campground
This campground contains 24 developed campsites. Each site offers water and electricity, tables, grills, tie-outs for 4 horses, access to modern restrooms with hot showers, a dump station and access miles of horse trails. Station Camp Campground is located on station Camp Road approximately 4.5 miles from the intersection of Coopertown Road and Leatherwood Road . The fee rate per night is $28.00 (half price for holders of the Interagency Access/Senior Passes).
Details →Upcoming Events
Annual Photo Contest Reveal
Sep 4, 2026 · Bandy Creek Visitor Center - 151 Stable Rd., Oneida, TN 37841
Ranger-led Porch Talks: Bandy Creek
Sep 4, 2026 · Bandy Creek Visitor Center, 151 Stable Rd Oneida TN 37841
Ranger-led Campground Program at Bandy Creek Campfire Circle
Sep 4, 2026 · Bandy Creek Campground Campfire Circle across from the pool parking lot.
Reading Ranger at Bandy Creek
Sep 5, 2026 · Bandy Creek Visitor Center, 151 Stable Rd Oneida TN 37841
Ranger-led Talk: The Homestead Garden
Sep 5, 2026 · Bandy Creek Visitor Center, 151 Stable Rd Oneida TN 37841
Ranger-led program: Mine 18 Guided Walking Tour
Sep 6, 2026 · Program will meet at Blue Heron Visitor Center located at the end of Mine 18 road, Strunk, KY
Ranger-led Program at Blue Heron Visitor Center
Sep 6, 2026 · Blue Heron, KY
Appalachian Storyteller Guest Performance: Beth Ann Kilburn
Sep 11, 2026 · Blue Heron Interpretive Center in Kentucky at the end of Mine 18 Rd.
Ranger-led demonstration: Appalachian Rag Dolls
Sep 12, 2026 · Crossville Visitor Center is located at 176 River Otter Drive, Crossville, TN
Ranger-led Talk: What’s the Buzz about Pollination?
Sep 12, 2026 · Bandy Creek Visitor Center, 151 Stable Rd Oneida TN 37841
Appalachian Storyteller and Musician Guest Performance: Jordan Hughett
Sep 12, 2026 · Blue Heron Interpretive Center in Kentucky at the end of Mine 18 Rd.
Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival
Sep 19, 2026 · Bandy Creek Visitor Center: 151 Stable Road, Oneida, TN 37841
Ranger-led program: Roots of Blue Heron
Sep 20, 2026 · Program will meet at Blue Heron Visitor Center located at the end of Mine 18 road, Strunk, KY
Junior Ranger Fishing Program at Alum Ford in Kentucky
Sep 26, 2026 · Alum Ford Boat Launch in Kentucky, Big South Fork NRRA
Ranger-led Talk: What Goes Bump in the Night in the Big South Fork?
Sep 26, 2026 · Bandy Creek Visitor Center, 151 Stable Rd Oneida TN 37841
Visitor Centers
- Bandy Creek Visitor Center
- Blue Heron Interpretive Center
- Crossville Visitor Center
- Helenwood Visitor Center
- Rugby Visitor Contact Station
- Stearns Visitor Contact Station
Source: National Park Service.