Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-24 to 2026-12-18; community-mapped.

About

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed).

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

At the park

• Horseback riding activity
• Rock climbing activity
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature
• Hiking trails trail
• Paddling (kayak/canoe) water
• Whitewater rafting water

Shows and experiences

• Ranger & guided programs

Events

• Critter Corner at Rugby
• Ranger-led Program at Blue Heron Visitor Center
• Ranger-led Campground Program at Bandy Creek Campfire Circle
• Ranger-led Porch Talks: Bandy Creek
• Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival
• Ranger-led program: Roots of Blue Heron
• Junior Ranger Fishing Program at Alum Ford in Kentucky
• Ranger-led Talk: What Goes Bump in the Night in the Big South Fork?
• 16th Annual Blue Heron Ghost Mine 05:00 PM–09:00 PM · Blue Heron Interpretive Museum is located at the end of Mine 18 road in Kentucky.
• Appalachian Storyteller Guest Performance: Lounicia Hughett 11:45 AM–12:15 PM · Blue Heron Interpretive Center in Kentucky at the end of Mine 18 Rd.
• Paint with a Ranger at Historic Rugby 01:00 PM–02:30 PM · Rugby Visitor Center 1331 Rugby Parkway Rugby, TN 37733
• Ranger-led Healthy Hike: O&W Trail 10:00 AM–12:00 PM · Hike will begin at the Leatherwood Ford Gazebo at the Leatherwood Ford Day Use Area along TN HWY 297.
• Sketch with a Ranger at Blue Heron 01:00 PM–02:30 PM · Blue Heron Visitor Center, end of Mine 18 road in Kentucky
• Ranger Led Program: “Time on the Trail” at the Oscar Blevins Trail 11:00 AM–02:00 PM · The Oscar Blevins Trail is an easy 4-mile loop hike that starts at the Bandy Creek Trailhead.

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

First aid

In-park (mapped location) — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

Backcountry permits are required for all visitors who will be in the backcountry for one or more nights

Limits

Yes, pets are allowed in both developed areas and in the backcountry as long as they are restrained on a leash no longer then 6 feet

Park alert: 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.

Park alert: 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...

Park alert: 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.

Park alert: 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.

Getting there

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

Weather & when to go

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.

Visitor center

Bandy Creek Visitor Center — Hours of Operation Open daily, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ET) — Adjacent to Bandy Creek Campground; approximately 15 miles west of Oneida and 24 miles east of Jamestown, off Highway 297.

Visitor center

Bandy Creek Visitor Center

Visitor center

Bandy Creek Visitor Center

Visitor center

Bandy Creek Visitor Center

Visitor center

Bandy Creek Visitor Center

Visitor center

Bandy Creek Visitor Center

Visitor center

Blue Heron Interpretive Center — The visitor center is open May 30 through October 31. Open Wednesday through Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Hours of Operation: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:30 AM-4:30 PM ET Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM ET Outdoor structures are open year-round — Location: Located via Highways 1651 and 742.

Visitor center

Blue Heron Interpretive Center

Visitor center

Blue Heron Interpretive Center

Visitor center

Blue Heron Interpretive Center

Visitor center

Blue Heron Interpretive Center

Visitor center

Blue Heron Interpretive Center

Facilities on the park map

5 bench, 3 changing table, 4 defibrillator, 5 first aid kit, 1 first aid station, 1 mobility rental, 7 picnic area, 21 restroom, 33 visitor information, 4 water fountain.

Where to stay

• 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 ( · 24 campsites · Accessibility: Site 7 is accessible and located directly across from the bathhouse.
• 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 tra · 149 campsites · Accessibility: The following campsites are designated as handicap accessible: A14, A43, D1, D41,D51, D52, Group E-1, and Group E-2. Loops A and D have two accessible…
• 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/Se · 23 campsites · Accessibility: There is currently one accessible site near the bathhouse which is also accessible.
• 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. · 45 campsites · Accessibility: Campground has one accessible site (#29) which is near the bathhouse. The bathhouse has an accessible restroom with a hot water shower and toilet.
• 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. · 6 campsites · Accessibility: There is one accessible site located at the end of the campground near the vault toilet which is also accessible. The surface is gravel only.