• 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 »

Fee Free Days at Big South Fork NRRA

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Date: October 24, 2011
Contact: Howard Duncan, 423-569-9778

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced that the National Park Service will once again offer fee free days this year to encourage Americans to visit these national treasures.

National Park Service sites across the country that charge fees for entry will waive these entrance fees on November 11-13 in recognition of the Veterans Day weekend. Parks that do not charge entrance fees have the discretion to waive other types of fees on these days. Niki Nicholas, Superintendent of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, has authorized fee waivers for the Alum Ford Campground and backcountry camping permits during the Veterans Day weekend (November 11-13). Everyone is encouraged to visit the Big South Fork and take advantage of these special days.

For more information, call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275.

Did You Know?

Angle Falls Rapids on the Big South Fork River

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects only 14% of its watershed.  Unfortunately it is the lower end of the watershed, so that everything which happens outside the park, impacts the parks water quality.