• 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 »

Cultural Heritage Month at Blue Heron

Blue Heron Coal Tipple with fall trees
Autumn colors surround the Blue Heron Tipple.

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Date: September 23, 2011
Contact: Howard Duncan, 423-569-9778

The National Park Service will be hosting Cultural Heritage Month at the Blue Heron Mining Camp every Saturday in October. The event will highlight special programs, craft demonstrations and skills which are part of the unique history and culture of the Cumberland Plateau region. National Park Rangers and volunteers will be presenting a variety of historically based skits, interpretive talks and demonstrations.

Demonstrations include spinning, blacksmithing, woodworking, old time music, basket making, pioneer longhunter, embroidery and old timey toys. On October 8, visitors to Blue Heron will have the opportunity to meet a real coal miner's daughter in a special interview with a former resident of the Blue Heron Coal Camp. October 15 will feature the sweet sounds of mountain dulcimers as the Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club performs traditional songs throughout the day. All events are free and begin at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time and continue until 4:30 p.m. The Blue Heron Mining Camp is located at the end of Highway 742 west of Stearns, Kentucky.

For a unique experience, visitors to Blue Heron may choose to ride the Big South Fork Scenic Railway from Stearns. The Blue Heron Mining Camp may also be easily reached by vehicle on Highway 742. The nearby Blue Heron Campground will be open for those who wish to camp and enjoy the beauty of the Big South Fork. Reservations for the campground may be made by calling 1-877-444-6777. Information about the Big South Fork Scenic Railway may be obtained by calling 1-800-462-5664 or from their website at www.bsfsry.com.

For more information about these programs or the park, call the Stearns Visitor Center at (606) 376-5073 or Blue Heron at (606) 376-3787.

Did You Know?

Black bear now live in and around Big South Fork.

In the mid-1990's black bear were released in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area to study relocation techniques and to determine whether adequate habitat existed in the area.  There are now an estimated 40 - 50 bear living in and around the park. More...