Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
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.
Alerts
- InformationNPS ↗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...
- InformationNPS ↗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.
- InformationNPS ↗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.
- InformationNPS ↗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.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
This is an ENTRANCE FEE FREE park. There are other fees that apply depending on the location and/or activity. For more information, visit this page: https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Hours
| Park Operating Hours | Daily · All Day |
When to go
October draws the most visits here and January the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Campgrounds
| Alum Ford Campground | 6 sites | |
| $5 a night · Alum Ford is a primitive campground and offers six campsites with a vault toilet facility. This campground is open year-round on a first come-first serve basis. · 6 first-come | ||
| Bandy Creek Campground | 145 sites | |
| $32 a night · Campground is open year-round. Campsites are on reservation system year-round. Sites not reserved may be obtained on a first come-first serve basis. | ||
| Blue Heron Campground | 45 sites | |
| $20 a night · Blue Heron Campground is open and on the reservation system from April through November. | ||
| Bear Creek Campground | 22 sites | |
| $28 a night · This campground is open and on the reservation system from April through November. Sites that are not reserved may be used on a first come-first served basis. | ||
| Station Camp Campground | 24 sites | |
| $28 a night · Campground is open and on the reservations system year-round. Sites not reserved may be obtained on a first come-first serve basis. | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- Bandy Creek Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
Exhibits Focus on the recreational opportunities found within Big South Fork and throughout the seven surrounding counties. Facilities & Activities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; free public WiFi, bookstore, park permits, restrooms, and firewood and ice sales.
- Helenwood Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
Facilities & Activities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; free public WiFi; restrooms.
- Stearns Visitor Contact Station ↗Passport stamp
Facilities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; restrooms; park permits.
- Blue Heron Interpretive Center ↗Passport stamp
Exhibits The Blue Heron Mining Community can be visited at any time to view historic structures and listen to audio programs. Facilities & Activities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; free public WiFi, bookstore, park permits, restrooms, and a concession stand.
- Rugby Visitor Contact Station ↗Passport stamp
Facilities & Activities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; free public WiFi, restrooms; park permits.
- Crossville Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
Located in Crossville, just off Exit 320, on I-40, across from Stone Memorial High School.
Explore
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Events
- Ranger-led Program at Blue Heron Visitor Center10/1401:00 PM · runs through Oct 31 · freeBlue Heron, KY
- Ranger-led Campground Program at Bandy Creek Campfire Circle10/1606:30 PM · runs through Oct 30 · freeBandy Creek Campground Campfire Circle across from the pool parking lot.
- Ranger-led Porch Talks: Bandy Creek10/1602:00 PM · runs through Oct 30 · freeBandy Creek Visitor Center, 151 Stable Rd Oneida TN 37841
- Critter Corner at Rugby10/1709:00 AM · runs through Oct 31 · freeRugby Visitor Center 1331 Rugby Parkway Rugby, TN 37733
- 05:00 PM · freeBlue Heron Interpretive Museum is located at the end of Mine 18 road in Kentucky.
- Appalachian Storyteller Guest Performance: Lounicia Hughett10/2111:45 AM · freeBlue Heron Interpretive Center in Kentucky at the end of Mine 18 Rd.
Show all 10Hide
- Paint with a Ranger at Historic Rugby10/2401:00 PM · free · registration requiredRugby Visitor Center 1331 Rugby Parkway Rugby, TN 37733
- Ranger-led Healthy Hike: O&W Trail10/2410:00 AM · freeHike will begin at the Leatherwood Ford Gazebo at the Leatherwood Ford Day Use Area along TN HWY 297.
- Sketch with a Ranger at Blue Heron10/2401:00 PM · freeBlue Heron Visitor Center, end of Mine 18 road in Kentucky
- Ranger-led program: Roots of Blue Heron10/2501:30 PM · freeProgram will meet at Blue Heron Visitor Center located at the end of Mine 18 road, Strunk, KY
News
- Blue Heron Campground Will Remain Open During 2026-2027 Winter Season ↗2026-08-25
Big South Fork NRRA will leave open Blue Heron Campground, located in Kentucky this coming winter season. This pilot project will provide the park an opportunity to determine if there is sufficient winter demand to keep…
- Big South Fork NRRA Opens Business Opportunity to Manage Charit Creek Lodge ↗2026-08-20
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is offering a 10-year concession contract for the Charit Creek Lodge. Through Oct.
- National Park Service and the University of Tennessee Announce New Partnership ↗2026-08-19
The National Park Service (NPS) recently announced a new partnership with the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and three local NPS units to train the next generation of leaders in the fields of outdoor recreation…
- Big South Fork Invites Vendors to Participate in 2026 Storytelling Festival ↗2026-07-22
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area invites craft vendors, artisans and food vendors to take part in the Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival on Sept. 19.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Louis E. Bryant HouseBuilding · Oneida · 9.9 mi
- Adkins–Hurt MillBuilding · Mount Pisgah · 11.2 mi
- R. M. Brooks General Store and ResidenceBuilding · Rugby · 12.7 mi
- First National Bank of HuntsvilleBuilding · Huntsville · 13 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Forest Service trails nearby
These trails are outside the park on National Forest land, within 15 miles of Big South Fork. Each one opens on Trailhead Atlas.
Distance is measured from the park's reference point to the nearer end of the trail.
Guidebooks for the South
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Full checklist: 173 birds, 57 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsAmerican kestrel · Cooper's hawk · bald eagle · barred owl · black vulture · broad-winged hawk · eastern screech-owl · great horned owl · merlin · northern harrier · northern saw-whet owl · osprey · red-shouldered hawk · red-tailed hawk · sharp-shinned hawk · turkey vulture
Waterfowl & wadersAmerican black duck · American coot · Canada goose · blue-winged teal · bufflehead · common loon · common merganser · double-crested cormorant · great blue heron · green heron · green-winged teal · hooded merganser · pied-billed grebe · ring-necked duck · sandhill crane · wood duck
Shorebirds & seabirdsAmerican woodcock · common snipe · greater yellowlegs · killdeer · ring-billed gull · solitary sandpiper · spotted sandpiper
Gamebirds & dovesmourning dove · northern bobwhite · rock dove · ruffed grouse · wild turkey
Woodpeckersdowny woodpecker · hairy woodpecker · northern flicker · pileated woodpecker · red-bellied woodpecker · red-headed woodpecker · yellow-bellied sapsucker
Hummingbirds & swiftschimney swift · ruby-throated hummingbird
Also on the checklistAcadian flycatcher · American crow · American goldfinch · American pipit · American redstart · American robin · American tree sparrow · Baltimore oriole · Blackburnian warbler · Canada warbler · Cape May warbler · Carolina chickadee · Carolina wren · Kentucky warbler · Lincoln's sparrow · Louisiana waterthrush · Nashville warbler · Philadelphia vireo · Swainson's thrush · Swainson's warbler · Tennessee warbler · barn swallow · bay-breasted warbler · belted kingfisher · black-and-white warbler · black-billed cuckoo · black-throated blue warbler · black-throated green warbler · blackpoll warbler · blue grosbeak · blue jay · blue-gray gnatcatcher · blue-headed vireo · blue-winged warbler · brown creeper · brown thrasher · brown-headed cowbird · cedar waxwing · cerulean warbler · chestnut-sided warbler · chipping sparrow · chuck-will's-widow · common grackle · common nighthawk · common raven · common yellowthroat · dark-eyed junco · eastern bluebird · eastern kingbird · eastern meadowlark · eastern phoebe · eastern wood-pewee · european starling · evening grosbeak · field sparrow · fox sparrow · golden-crowned kinglet · golden-winged warbler · gray catbird · gray-cheeked thrush · great crested flycatcher · hermit thrush · hooded warbler · house finch · house sparrow · house wren · indigo bunting · least flycatcher · magnolia warbler · mallard · marsh wren · mourning warbler · northern cardinal · northern mockingbird · northern parula · northern rough-winged swallow · northern waterthrush · olive-sided flycatcher · orange-crowned warbler · orchard oriole · ovenbird · palm warbler · pine siskin · pine warbler · prairie warbler · prothonotary warbler · purple finch · purple martin · red-breasted nuthatch · red-eyed vireo · red-winged blackbird · rose-breasted grosbeak · ruby-crowned kinglet · rufous-sided towhee · savannah sparrow · scarlet tanager · sedge wren · song sparrow · sora · summer tanager · surf scoter · swamp sparrow · tree swallow · tufted titmouse · veery · vesper sparrow · whip-poor-will · white-breasted nuthatch · white-crowned sparrow · white-eyed vireo · white-throated sparrow · winter wren · wood thrush · worm-eating warbler · yellow warbler · yellow-billed cuckoo · yellow-breasted chat · yellow-rumped warbler · yellow-throated vireo · yellow-throated warbler
Small mammalsAllegheny woodrat · American beaver · North American deermouse · common muskrat · cotton deermouse · eastern chipmunk · eastern cottontail · eastern fox squirrel · eastern gray squirrel · eastern harvest mouse · eastern mole · golden mouse · hairy-tailed mole · hispid cotton rat · least shrew · masked shrew · meadow jumping mouse · northern short-tailed shrew · prairie vole · pygmy shrew · smoky shrew · southeastern shrew · southern bog lemming · southern flying squirrel · white-footed deermouse · woodland jumping mouse · woodland vole
Predatorsblack bear · bobcat · eastern coyote · eastern spotted skunk · gray fox · long-tailed weasel · mink · northern river otter · raccoon · red fox · striped skunk
Hoofed mammalselk · white-tailed deer
BatsRafinesque's big-eared bat · big brown bat · eastern red bat · eastern small-footed myotis · evening bat · gray myotis · hoary bat · little brown myotis · northern myotis · silver-haired bat · tricolored bat
Also on the checklistVirginia opossum · domestic cat · domestic dog · feral hog · nine-banded armadillo · woodchuck
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Camping in the national parks · Canoeing and kayaking in the national parks · Fishing in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Horseback riding in the national parks · Rock climbing in the national parks · Stargazing in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
Weather & climate
The weather along the Cumberland Plateau can be best described as unpredictable. Each season brings its own weather patterns. Summers are generally hot and humid, with high temperatures sometimes eclipsing 90 degrees. The low temperatures in winter often dip below freezing. Spring sees the most amount of precipitation, but rainfall can occur in various amounts throughout the year.
Questions people ask
Does Big South Fork charge an entrance fee?
No. Big South Fork is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
Is Big South Fork open year-round?
Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in Big South Fork?
Yes. The Park Service lists 5 campgrounds in Big South Fork: Alum Ford, Bandy Creek, Blue Heron, Bear Creek, and Station Camp. 5 take reservations through Recreation.gov.
Which Big South Fork campgrounds have showers, hookups, or a dump station?
Showers: Bandy Creek, Blue Heron, Bear Creek, and Station Camp. Dump station: Bandy Creek, Blue Heron, Bear Creek, and Station Camp. Electric hookups: Bandy Creek, Blue Heron, Bear Creek, and Station Camp.
Source: Campgrounds
Is anything closed at Big South Fork right now?
4 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: The Use of Drones is Prohibited at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area; Big South Fork Announces Temporary Closure of Blue Heron Tipple Bridge; and more.
Source: Alerts
How busy is Big South Fork?
774,353 recreation visits in 2025, number 84 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
When was Big South Fork established?
1974. It covers about 196 square miles.
Source: Wikipedia
What is the weather like at Big South Fork?
The weather along the Cumberland Plateau can be best described as unpredictable. Each season brings its own weather patterns.
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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