• Angel Falls Rapid on the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River

    Big South Fork

    National River & Recreation Area KY,TN

  • Whitewater

    Big South Fork of the Cumberland River is free-flowing with no dam controls. Check the river gauge readings before your river trip. Heavy rains can cause flooding and make river use dangerous. Always use a personal flotation device when on the river. More »

  • Steep Road Grade

    There is a 13% grade for an approximate 5 mile stretch on Highway 297 between Bandy Creek Road on the west of the river and Headquarters on the east side. This is called the gorge. Use caution when traveling with recreational campers or horse trailers. More »

  • Firewood Quarantine

    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. More »

  • Black Bears

    Black bears are found within this area. Store all food, cooking items, feed, cosmetics and coolers properly when in the campgrounds or when using the backcountry. More »

Turtle Trax: The Adventures of Tim the Eastern Box Turtle

Tim the Turtle

NPS

Tim the Turtle

What is it like to be a turtle? Follow along with Park Ranger Debbie Zimmerman and Park Biologist Steve Bakaletz as they track the movements of Tim the Eastern Box Turtle. Tim was successfully released on the afternoon of August 5th during a bleacher feature at Blue Heron. His behaviors and activities will be posted right here on a bi-weekly basis.

 
Tim the Turtle 8-13-11

NPS Park Ranger Debbie Zimmerman

Tim the Turtle under the boulder

Saturday August 13, 2011, 7:30 am: Tim was tracked and sighted at Blue Heron on the interpretive trail area. He was under some leaves next to a huge boulder just off the paved trail above the entertainment display in the curve where the Blue Heron loop trail leads off up the hillside. Did you know Eastern Box Turtles can eat poisonous mushrooms with no ill effect to them? What would happen to a predator if they were to consume an eastern box turtle that has ingested poisonous mushrooms?

 

 
Tim the Turtle 8-20-11

NPS PARK RANGER DEBBIE ZIMMERMAN

Tim the Turtle in the culvert drainage

Sunday August 21st: Tim was found between the "Bathhouse" and the "Moving" ghost structures just off the paved interpretive trail at Blue Heron. He was in the culvert waterway getting a drink. Did you know that turtles use the environment to regulate body temperature?

Did You Know?

Angle Falls Rapids on the Big South Fork River

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects only 14% of its watershed.  Unfortunately it is the lower end of the watershed, so that everything which happens outside the park, impacts the parks water quality.