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Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

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Overview

Boasting miles of scenic sandstone bluffs and river gorges, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the natural beauty of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. Covering 125,000 rugged acres of the Cumberland Plateau and spanning the states of Kentucky and Tennesee, the park is rich with history and nature, and the land has been developed to provide visitors with a multitude of recreational opportunities. Enjoy the views of pristine streams and impressive chimneys, arches, and cliffs that have been carved from the sandstone of the plateau.

To learn more about Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Visitor Centers:
Visitor center hours vary by season. Note that the park spans two time zones. To see current operating hours, visit the park's website.
  • Headquarters Building: Open 8 am to 4:30 pm ET, Monday through Friday.
  • Bandy Creek Visitor Center: Open 8 am to 6 pm ET, Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. Open 9 am to 5 pm ET during the winter. Closed on Christmas.
  • Crossville Visitor Center: Open 9 am to 5 pm CT, weekends.
  • Rugby Visitor Contact Station: Open 9 am to 5 pm ET, weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
  • Helenwood Visitor Center: Open 9 am to 5 pm ET, weekends.
  • Blue Heron Interpretive Center: Open daily from 9:30 to 3:30 ET, April 1 through October 1.
  • Stearns Visitor Contact Station: Open 9 am to 5 pm ET, weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.

Fees & Passes
There is no entrance fee to Big South Fork NRRA. However, there are several types of user fees. To learn more about these additional fees, visit the park's website.

Visiting Tips

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Some facilities are closed or have reduced hours during the winter.

Camping & Lodging

Camping:
Big South Fork contains five developed campgrounds, including two equestrian camps. The various campgrounds offer a range of amenities and more information can be found here.

  • Bandy Creek Campground (TN): 96 hook up sites. 49 non-hook upsites. 2 group sites. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
  • Blue Heron Campground (KY): 45 sites. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
  • Bear Creek Horse Camp (KY): 23 sites. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
  • Alum Ford Campground (KY): 6 sites. Sites are filled on a first come, first served basis.
  • Station Camp Horse Camp (TN): 24 sites. Reservations can be made online or by calling (931) 319-6893.

Lodging:
Charit Creek Lodge is located in the Station Camp Creek drainage and offers a full range of amenities including cabin and dormitory rentals, meals, restrooms and showers. Access to the lodge is by foot, bike, or horse only. For more information or to make reservations, visit Charit Creek Lodge's website or call (865) 696-5611.

Food & Drink

There are no restaurants located within the park, but there are a variety of dining options located in the nearby towns. For more information on dining options in the Big South Fork region, click here.

Other Activities

The recreational opportunities in Big South Fork are seemingly endless, and visitors can choose from a long list of ways to explore the park and the surrounding areas. From hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and kyaking, there are many ways to explore all that the park has to offer. Be sure to check out the amazing mountain biking and rock climbing in the area. If you are looking for further recreational opportunities nearby, the Obed Wild and Scenic River, Dale Hollow Lake, Historic Rugby, and a variety of local state parks offer visitors additional opportunities to explore this great area. Visit Big South Fork's website for more information.

Maps & Guidebooks

To download a variety of free brochures to help plan your visit, click here.

Gems in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area - 1

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite North arch

Twin Arches

(6) Oneida, TN

Recommended Routes in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area - 8

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite Secluded Falls
Difficult Difficult

Honey Creek Loop

4.2 mi 6.7 km 565' Up 172.29 m Up 571' Down 174.17 m Down

Huntsville, TN
Explore in 3D
Favorite North arch
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

2019 NB100 Training Camp: Day 1

21.6 mi 34.8 km 2,391' Up 728.74 m Up 2,373' Down 723.43 m Down

Oneida, TN
Explore in 3D
Favorite Angel Falls Overlook offers a stunning look at the Big South Fork Cumberland River.
Difficult Difficult

No Business 100 Training Run #1

30.0 mi 48.3 km 2,947' Up 898.19 m Up 2,951' Down 899.37 m Down

Oneida, TN
Explore in 3D
Favorite Angel Falls Overlook offers a stunning look at the Big South Fork Cumberland River.
Difficult Difficult

No Business 100 - Bandy Creek Training Run

28.8 mi 46.4 km 2,746' Up 837.1 m Up 2,749' Down 837.98 m Down

Oneida, TN
Explore in 3D
Favorite Secluded Falls
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Sheltowee Trace NRT: Big South Fork NRA

49.2 mi 79.1 km 4,831' Up 1472.36 m Up 4,859' Down 1481 m Down

Oneida, TN
Explore in 3D
Favorite Angel Falls Overlook offers a stunning look at the Big South Fork Cumberland River.
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

Angel Falls Overlook to Grand Gap Loop

12.0 mi 19.3 km 1,145' Up 348.93 m Up 1,143' Down 348.26 m Down

Oneida, TN
Explore in 3D
Favorite The back end of the Slave Falls Loop Trail takes you to the Indian Rock House.
Intermediate Intermediate

Slave Falls Loop Trail

3.2 mi 5.1 km 378' Up 115.15 m Up 368' Down 112.19 m Down

Jamestown, TN
Explore in 3D
Favorite Secluded Falls
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

John Muir Trail: Big South Fork NRA

49.9 mi 80.3 km 6,267' Up 1910.14 m Up 5,972' Down 1820.33 m Down

Huntsville, TN
Explore in 3D

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area Running

  • 153 Miles 246 Kilometers of Trail
  • 8 Recommended Routes
  • 1 Gem Gems
  • 13 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 51 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 10 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Share what you know about this area!

Weather Averages


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Trails in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area - 66

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Trails

3.9 mi 6.2 km #1Twin Arches Loop Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Oneida, TN
Intermediate Intermediate
Oneida, TN 21 
0.9 mi 1.5 km #2Twin Arches Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Oneida, TN
Intermediate Intermediate
Oneida, TN 12 
1.0 mi 1.5 km #3Honey Creek Overlook Access
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Huntsville, TN
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Huntsville, TN
0.9 mi 1.4 km #4Kellogg's Crack Loop
Intermediate Intermediate
Huntsville, TN
Intermediate Intermediate
Huntsville, TN
2.0 mi 3.1 km #5White Oak Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Huntsville, TN
Intermediate Intermediate
Huntsville, TN
0.9 mi 1.4 km #6Massengale Loop Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Huntsville, TN
Intermediate Intermediate
Huntsville, TN
1.3 mi 2.1 km #7Allerton Ridge Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Huntsville, TN
Intermediate Intermediate
Huntsville, TN
0.4 mi 0.7 km #8Cox Branch Trail
Easy Easy
Huntsville, TN
Easy Easy
Huntsville, TN
5.2 mi 8.4 km #9Grand Gap Loop Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Oneida, TN
Intermediate Intermediate
Oneida, TN 11 
4.4 mi 7.1 km #10John Litton Farm Hike Loop
Intermediate Intermediate
Oneida, TN
Intermediate Intermediate
Oneida, TN

Photos of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area - 103

Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Photos

Honey Creek Trail
Nov 19, 2015 near Huntsville, TN
Winter Evening Skies - The scene at the end of the Angels Falls Trail of Big South Fork River in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
Apr 7, 2016 near Oneida, TN
The Big South Fork from the Angel Falls Overlook.
Apr 17, 2016 near Oneida, TN
Little bit further up from the symbol/stone bench.
Dec 1, 2016 near Oneida, TN
Just off the John Muir Trail, Beaver Creek Falls is fantastic in February.
Feb 25, 2017 near Huntsville, TN
Angel Falls Overlook offers a stunning look at the Big South Fork Cumberland River.
Mar 22, 2017 near Oneida, TN
Cave at Honey Creek.
Jun 3, 2019 near Huntsville, TN
Secluded Falls
Feb 18, 2020 near Huntsville, TN

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