{"id":"nps-biso","slug":"big-south-fork-national-river-and-recreation-area","name":"Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area","designation":"National River & Recreation Area","category":"national-recreation-area","categoryLabel":"National Recreation Area","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"BISO","designation":"National River & Recreation Area","sourceId":"nps-biso"}],"states":["KY","TN"],"stateNames":["Kentucky","Tennessee"],"location":{"lat":36.5348388,"lon":-84.66506688},"bbox":[-84.8493,36.3219,-84.5018,36.7972],"acres":{"value":122924,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/biso/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=36.7972&b_tl_lng=-84.8493&b_br_lat=36.3219&b_br_lng=-84.5018","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Big%20South%20Fork%20National%20River%20%26%20Recreation%20Area","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"cover":{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C793E18-1DD8-B71B-0B815C3EA6EF7F23.jpg","title":"Big South Fork NRRA in Fall","alt":"Big South Fork NRRA in Fall","credit":"NPS Photo","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/biso/index.htm","tier":1,"source":"National Park Service"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C793E18-1DD8-B71B-0B815C3EA6EF7F23.jpg","title":"Big South Fork NRRA in Fall","alt":"Big South Fork NRRA in Fall","credit":"NPS Photo","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/biso/index.htm","source":"National Park Service","cover":true}],"activities":["Arts and Culture","Astronomy","Stargazing","Biking","Mountain Biking","Boating","Camping","Backcountry Camping","Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)","RV Camping","Climbing","Rock Climbing","Fishing","Freshwater Fishing","Food","Picnicking","Hiking","Horse Trekking","Horseback Riding","Hunting and Gathering","Hunting","Paddling","Junior Ranger Program","Tubing","Swimming","Pool Swimming","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Arts","Photography","Industry","Mining","Wars and Conflicts","Civil War","Animals","Birds","Fire","Geology","Grasslands","Night Sky","Astronomy","Rock Landscapes and Features","Arches","Scenic Views","Trails","Unique Species"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Park Operating Hours","description":"The park is always open.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"Please use the following link to learn more about how to get here from various locations.","weatherInfo":"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.","contacts":{"phone":"4235699778","email":"biso_information@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Bandy Creek Visitor Center","description":"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.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":36.4877129002,"lon":-84.6974761999},{"name":"Blue Heron Interpretive Center","description":"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. Railroad Ride The Big South Fork Scenic Railway travels from the Stearns Depot to the Blue Heron Mining Community in a 45-minute trip. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit https://bsfsry.com/","url":"http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":36.67079404672183,"lon":-84.54764797368892},{"name":"Helenwood Visitor Center","description":"Facilities & Activities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; free public WiFi; restrooms.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":36.420108047,"lon":-84.5380649744},{"name":"Stearns Visitor Contact Station","description":"Facilities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; restrooms; park permits.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":36.7040850452,"lon":-84.4665869723},{"name":"Rugby Visitor Contact Station","description":"Facilities & Activities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; free public WiFi, restrooms; park permits.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":36.3611050004,"lon":-84.7022270001},{"name":"Crossville Visitor Center","description":"Located in Crossville, just off Exit 320, on I-40, across from Stone Memorial High School.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm","lat":35.9811319996,"lon":-85.0089030001}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Alum Ford Campground","description":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/alumfordcampground.htm","reservationUrl":null,"sites":6},{"name":"Bandy Creek Campground","description":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/bandycreekcampground.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232506?q=Bandy%20Creek","sites":149},{"name":"Blue Heron Campground","description":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/blueheroncampground.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232505?q=Blue%20Heron%20Campground","sites":45},{"name":"Bear Creek Campground","description":"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).","url":"https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/horsecamps.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251468?q=Bear%20Creek%20Horse%20Camp","sites":23},{"name":"Station Camp Campground","description":"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).","url":"https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/horsecamps.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10004358?q=Station%20Camp%20Campground","sites":24}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"obed-wild-and-scenic-river","km":48},{"slug":"mill-springs-battlefield-national-monument","km":60},{"slug":"cumberland-gap-national-historical-park","km":95},{"slug":"daniel-boone-national-forest","km":107},{"slug":"camp-nelson-national-monument","km":140},{"slug":"abraham-lincoln-birthplace-national-historical-park","km":147}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=biso"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.606Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"The Use of Drones is Prohibited at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area","text":"Currently, the use of drones is prohibited at Big South Fork and all National Parks. Detailed information about the policy is available...","url":"https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/uas.htm","updated":"2025-12-31 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-41955910-CBC1-4A0A-B3B6-6749C6D6FF39"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Big South Fork Announces Temporary Closure of Blue Heron Tipple Bridge","text":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/biso/learn/news/big-south-fork-announces-temporary-closure-of-blue-heron-tipple-bridge.htm","updated":"2025-09-29 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-442E4F2B-C87C-4984-8315-DA2B02F729F3"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Firewood ban is in effect for the park.","text":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/firewood-quarantine.htm","updated":"2016-04-20 08:21:16.0","id":"nps-6B262C5A-387C-4AAE-B3A4-31461DB05D04"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Black Bears at Big South Fork","text":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/biso/learn/nature/blackbear.htm","updated":"2016-04-12 17:35:48.0","id":"nps-2F92DCC9-55CD-440F-A35C-8B08AA1558B5"},{"source":"NIFC","kind":"Wildfire","severity":"Minor","title":"Cactus Fire: 220 acres, 100% contained","text":"A wildfire perimeter that overlaps this site is fully contained. Some areas may stay closed while crews finish work.","url":"https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn","updated":"2026-11-02T18:29:54.000Z","id":"fire-2026-TNBSP-926029"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/big-south-fork-national-river-and-recreation-area/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/big-south-fork-national-river-and-recreation-area.geojson"}