• 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 »

2011 Wildflower Programs

Spring Wildflowers
NPS

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Date: April 22, 2011
Contact: Sue Duncan, 423-286-7275
Contact: Howard Duncan, 423-569-9778

Saturday, April 23, 2011 - Spring Wildflowers of Big South Fork
Join Park Ranger Howard Duncan on a delightful hike along the Big South Fork River searching for wildflowers. Meet Ranger Duncan at Leatherwood Ford gazebo to begin the hike at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. You may learn to identify some of the more common spring wildflowers and discover some uncommon ones as well. Wear comfortable walking shoes; bring your wildflower guide, your camera and your interest in discovering nature. For those wanting to bring along their lunch, you may chose to stop at Angel Falls Rapid and enjoy a picnic. The hike is an easy four mile round-trip to the Angel Falls Rapid and back to Leatherwood Ford.

Saturday, April 23, 2011 - Take a Ride on the Wild(flower) Side
Spring is a wonderful time to ride your horse at Big South Fork. Have you ever wondered about or even noticed those flowers blooming along the horse trail? Take some time to ride the trails with Park Ranger Sue Duncan in search of spring wildflowers. The group will stop to look at wildflowers along the trail, learn a few of their names and talk about some of their legends and stories. Riders will be traveling to Charit Creek via the Jacks Ridge and Black House Branch trails then follow Station Camp Creek horse trail and return by way of the Duncan Hollow Trail to Bandy Creek. The entire ride will be an approximately 15 mile loop.

This horseback ride will leave from the Bandy Creek Equestrian Trailhead at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time. You must bring your own horse. You may want to bring water and a wildflower guide with you. Pack a lunch, as there are a number of beautiful places to stop for a picnic along the way. For directions to the trailhead please call the number below. Riders should plan to dress appropriately for the weather.

If you have a question about either of these programs please contact Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423)-286-7275.

Did You Know?

Devils Jump Rapid is just below the site of the proposed dam.

In the 1960's  Congress requested the Army Corps of Engineers to study the feasibility of damming the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River just above the Devils Jump Rapid to create another reservoir.  Had that happened Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area would never have existed.