Establishment
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area was authorized by Congress on March 7, 1974. At that time the park was the first unit in the National Park System to be designated as a National River and a National Recreation Area.
Acreage
Legislative boundaries for Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area allow for the protection of 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau. The park currently encompasses 114,492.13 acres.
Visitation
|
Year
|
Visitation
|
Year
|
Visitation
|
|
1995
|
892,322
|
2002
|
852,871
|
|
1996
|
855,877
|
2003
|
752,141
|
|
1997
|
858,378
|
2004
|
696,115
|
|
1998
|
856,475
|
2005
|
699,232
|
|
1999
|
860,222
|
2006
|
622,806
|
|
2000
|
864,190
|
2007
|
626,750
|
| 2001 |
915,194 |
2008 |
675,928 |
Economic Impact
Based on current visitation and using the Money Generation Model developed by Michigan State University, Big South Fork contributes over $10 million dollars yearly to local economies.
Annual Budget
$4.377 million base budget in Fiscal Year 2008.
Developed Campgrounds
Big South Fork contains 3 general campgrounds with 233 sites, 97 with water and electric hook-ups, 100 test sites and 36 sites in group camping. In addition there are 2 equestrian campgrounds having 49 sites with water, electric and stalls.
Backcountry Trails
129 miles of hiking trails, 156 miles of horse trails and 18 miles of mountain bike trails
Roads
121 total, 20 paved and 101 unpaved
Streams
244.13 miles of streams.
Personnel
Approximately 48 permanent and 12 seasonal employees.
Volunteers
287 volunteers donated 4,572 hours in Fiscal Year 2008.
