Overview
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is a United States national recreation area that straddles the regions of Eastern Tennessee and Kentucky's Daniel Boone Country.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
Twin Arches
Two large natural arches accessible by a short hike.
Yahoo Falls
At 113 feet, it is the highest waterfall in the state of Kentucky. There is a one mile loop trail that provides access to the top and bottom of the falls. The parking lot is near Alum Ford Campground.
Big South Fork Scenic Railway
Offers train rides from Stearns, Kentucky to Blue Heron. The trains run from April through November and the round trip takes approximately one and a half hours.
Blue Heron
A recreated mining community operated as an outdoor museum. Open year round.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 25°F. Wettest: May and Mar. (climate data from nearby Cumberland Falls State Resort Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TYS McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville/Maryville — 64 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LEX Blue Grass Airport, Lexington — 100 mi away. Directions
There are several routes that can be taken to access the park. The four main travel corridors are I-75, I-40, US 127, and KY 92. The gateway cities are Oneida and Jamestown in Tennessee and Stearns in Kentucky.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Twin Arches, Blue Heron
- Afternoon Big South Fork Scenic Railway, Yahoo Falls
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The recreation area consists of 125,000 acres surrounding the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and is managed by the U.S. National Park Service.
History
Most of the land within the recreation area was owned by the Stearns Coal & Lumber Company. After the decline of decline of the company in the 1960s, efforts by senators from Kentucky and Tennessee to have the area preserved as a national park began. In 1974, President Richard Nixon signed legislation creating the national recreation area. Between 1974 and 1991 the US Army Corp of Engineers purchased the land for the recreation area and turned over administration to the US National Park Service.
Landscape
The park is on the Cumberland Plateau. Geologically this area is characterized by an erosion resistant sandstone cap covering softer layers of sedimentary rock. Over millions of years the streams and rivers of the region have carved deep gorges into the plateau. Water erosion has also formed one of the highest concentrations of natural arches in the eastern United States.
Flora and fauna
Climate
Visitor information
Get in
There are several routes that can be taken to access the park. The four main travel corridors are I-75, I-40, US 127, and KY 92. The gateway cities are Oneida and Jamestown in Tennessee and Stearns in Kentucky.
Fees and permits
There are no fees to enter the park.
See
See Yahoo Falls
At 113 feet, it is the highest waterfall in the state of Kentucky. There is a one mile loop trail that provides access to the top and bottom of the falls. The parking lot is near Alum Ford Campground.
Do
Sleep
Lodging
There is no lodging available within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, but there are several surrounding cities and parks that offer a variety of options.
- Corbin, Kentucky
- Williamsburg, Kentucky
- Jellico, Tennessee
- Pioneer, Tennessee
- Cumberland Falls State Resort Park (Kentucky)
- Pickett State Park (Tennessee)
Camping
Stay Alum Ford Campground
A campground operated by the National Park Service and located within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Alum Ford consists of 6 primitive campsites on the shore of Lake Cumberland. There is no source of potable water and any water drawn from the lake needs to be purified. Sites cost $5 per night and are available on a first come first serve basis. The campground has a boat ramp, pit toilets and is open year round.
Stay Blue Heron Campground
A campground operated by the National Park Service and located within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. There are 45 sites with water and electric hook ups. The campground has shower houses with flush toilets and is open April 1 through October 31. Reservations are accepted and all campsites are $17 per night.
Stay Bandy Creek Campground
A campground operated by the National Park Service and located within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. There are 96 trailer sites with water and electric hookups, 49 primitive tent campsites and 2 group camping areas. Shower houses are available with flush toilets. There is a swimming pool in the campground that is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Trailer sites are $22, tent sites are $19 and the group campsites are $75 (up to 25 people). All rates are nightly. The campground is open year round and campsites can be reserved. Food storage restrictions are in place due to black bear activity.
Backcountry
Permits are required for backcountry camping. The permits may be purchased at the visitors centers at Bandy Creek and Blue Heron, or purchased through the park website. Prices vary by group size and groups larger than 24 people require special permission. The maximum length of stay is 14 days.
Stay safe
Water
Most fatalities in the recreation area are caused by drowning. The white water in the Big South Fork of the Cumberland ranges from class I to class IV. Know your skill level and have a plan for emergencies. The river passes through some rough and remote terrain, rescue may take some time.
Cliffs
There are many cliffs within the park. Be careful around the cliff edges.
Bears
Black Bears are active throughout the recreation area. If venturing into the back country, familiarize yourself with bear safety and always securely store your food.
Go next
Kentucky
- Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
- Daniel Boone National Forest
- General Burnside Island State Park
- Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
Tennessee
- Indian Mountain State Park
- Pickett State Park
Nearby
Pickett State Park
Park · 3 listings · 10 mi away
Rugby
City / town · 7 listings · 16 mi away
Pioneer
City / town · 1 listings · 20 mi away
Monticello
City / town · 10 listings · 22 mi away
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Park · 4 listings · 23 mi away
Jellico
City / town · 2 listings · 27 mi away
Williamsburg
City / town · 3 listings · 27 mi away
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park
Park · 5 listings · 34 mi away
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