Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Information 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...

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Information 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.

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Information 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.

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Information 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.

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Wildfire Cactus Fire: 220 acres, 100% contained

A wildfire perimeter that overlaps this site is fully contained. Some areas may stay closed while crews finish work.

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Overview

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.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

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

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Park Operating Hours: The park is always open.

Getting there

Please use the following link to learn more about how to get here from various locations.

Visitor centers

Campgrounds

  • Alum Ford Campground (6 sites)
  • Bandy Creek Campground (149 sites) — reserve
  • Blue Heron Campground (45 sites) — reserve
  • Bear Creek Campground (23 sites) — reserve
  • Station Camp Campground (24 sites) — reserve

Weather

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.

Phone: 4235699778

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

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