• 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 »

Meet the Superintendent

Face of Superintendent

Niki Stephanie Nicholas

National Park Service Southeast Regional Director David Vela announced on January 3, 2011 that Niki Stephanie Nicholas was named the new superintendent of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Kentucky and Tennessee and Obed Wild and Scenic River in Tennessee. Nicholas, who had been serving as the Chief of Resources Management and Science at Yosemite National Park in California for the past seven years, officially assumed her new duties on January 17, 2011.

"We are delighted to bring Niki and her tremendous background in resource management to the Southeast Region," Vela said. "She understands the need to preserve both natural and cultural resources for future generations while at the same time allowing for education and enjoyment by park visitors. She also knows and values the importance of working with local communities to create awareness and support."

Prior to working at Yosemite, Nicholas worked at the Tennessee Valley Authority. Her last position there was as Senior Manager for Environmental Impact Reduction Technologies.

"I'm very happy to be back in the Southeast and very excited to get to work with the wonderful staffs at Big South Fork and Obed River," Nicholas said. "The resources and the recreation opportunities of these two parks are tremendous and I'm thankful for the opportunity to contribute to their preservation and use."

Nicholas holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Northwestern University, a master of science degree in ecology from the University of Tennessee, and a doctorate in forestry from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She is a member of the Ecological Society of America, Forest History Society, Society of American Foresters, and the George Wright Society.

Nicholas has been married to Charles Patrick Nicholson for more than 15 years. Nicholson works at the Tennessee Valley Authority as Manager for National Environmental Policy Act Compliance. They have two black Labrador retrievers and they just bought a home in Oneida, Tennessee.

  • Obed Wild and Scenic River Obed Wild and Scenic River

    Located just south of Big South Fork Obed offers a wealth of recreational opportunities Read More

  • Park Newspaper Park Newspaper

    Read event schedule, feature articles, and things to do Read More

  • Management Plan Management Plan

    View the General Management Plan, completed in 2005 Read More

  • National Park Service History National Park Service History

    Find Big South Fork NRRA on the National Park System timeline. Read More

Did You Know?

Horseback Riders in Big South Fork

With two equestrain campgrounds, a stable operation and over 180 miles of horseback riding trails, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is truely a riders paradise. More...