• Devils Jump

    Big South Fork

    National River & Recreation Area KY,TN

Come Explore the Cumberland Plateau

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.

Features

  • Evening Black Bear Program at Bandy Creek Campground on Saturday

    Black Bear Program

    Gain an understanding about the Black Bears during an evening program at Bandy Creek Campground on Saturday, May 25th starting at 7 p.m. EDT

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  • Join us for an evening program at Blue Heron Campground

    For the Love of Bugs!

    Come and learn about bugs at the Blue Heron Campground starting at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

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  • Storytelling hour at Bandy Creek this Saturday

    Storytelling Hour

    Come and hear some amazing stories this Saturday at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at 10 a.m. EDT.

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  • Join Joe Cross at Bandy Creek Visitor Center this weekend

    Mountain Biking Program

    Join Joe Cross at Bandy Creek Visitor Center this weekend starting at 10 a.m. EDT.

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  • Social Media

    Stay Connected

    To learn about the latest news and events, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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  • Camping at Bandy Creek

    Campgrounds

    Do you enjoy camping in the outdoors by tent or RV? Bandy Creek and Blue Heron Campgrounds offer water and electric hook-ups and hot water showers.

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  • Kayaking on the river.

    Challenging Rapids

    Kayaking and Canoeing the Big South Fork River can be quite challenging. Navigated the free-flowing river in early spring when water levels are high.

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  • Zenith River crossing with horses

    Horseback Trails

    There are 200 miles of horse trails for you to explore at Big South Fork. Enjoy overlooks, quiet streams, wildflowers and even a backcountry lodge.

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  • Blue Heron Coal Tipple

    Blue Heron Coal Tipple

    Blue Heron Interpretive Center is an outdoor museum with displays and recorded voices of the people who lived there and worked in the mine.

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Did You Know?

Cumberland sandwort

Cumberland sandwort is one of several species of threatened and endangered plants found throughout Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.  Cumberland sandwort only grows in the dry sandy soils of certain rockshelters found in and around Big South Fork.