• 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 »

Abandoned Mines Closed at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

mule team
NPS
A mule team assists with transportation of equipment used to perform a mine closure

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Date: July 12, 2011
Contact: Tom Blount, 423-569-9778

Big South Fork National River Area and Recreation Area contains mineral resources, including coal, oil, and natural gas, that were developed during the history of the Cumberland Plateau before the park was established in 1974. Among the remaining mineral exploitation features were numerous coal mines that were abandoned and remained open to the public for more than 70 years. These features presented a serious threat to human safety.

Funds made available from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act enabled the closure of 37 abandoned coal mines posing the greatest threat to park visitors. Work began in June 2010 and was completed in May 2011.

Specific closure methods for each mine opening were determined according to their associated risk factors and wildlife habitat significance. Mines where bats and other wildlife were known to reside or hibernate were barred with special steel gates to permit free passage of wildlife while denying human access. Other mines were closed with wire netting prior to closure to allow wildlife to exit but not re-enter the mines. Numerous access, safety, and technical challenges were encountered during project execution. A number of techniques were used to respond to these challenges, including the use of mule teams to transport modern equipment such as generators and welders to remote mine sites where modern machinery could not be used safely.

Though mines accessible to the public have been closed, these and other remaining legacy mineral extraction features still present dangers to park visitors such as mine roof collapse, subsidence, and closed-portal blow-outs due to water accumulation within the mines. In the interest of visitor safety, the park's mines are closed to the public. Do not enter abandoned mines under any circumstances as they can be extremely hazardous. Visitors that discover open mines are encouraged to report them to park management by calling (423) 569-9778.

Did You Know?

Park interpreter presents program on Longhunters.

Longhunters were some of the first Europeans to traverse the Big South Fork region.  It is said they were called longhunters either for the long rifles they carried or because the were typically gone on hunting trips for so long, sometimes up to a year.