• 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 »

Camping

RV and car in camping station
Big South Fork offers developed, primitive and equestrian campgrounds.
 
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area contains five developed campgrounds which are intended to meet the needs of almost any camper visiting the park.

Two campgrounds, Bandy Creek (TN) and Blue Heron (KY) are highly developed sites with many amenities while the Alum Ford Campground (KY) offers a limited number of primitive campsites. Two equestrian campgrounds, Bear Creek (KY) and Station Camp (TN) are both highly developed campgrounds operated by concessionaires.

There are no campground stores. The Bandy Creek Stable does have a small tack store that carries a few items for campers. Be prepared to bring what you need with you. The stables sells firewood. Campers may also collect any wood that is down and dead. Ice can be purchased at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center.

  • Camping Fees: Find out the cost to spend the night in the park.

Firewood Notice: Firewood brought in from outside the park is prohibited. We are requesting that firewood not be brought in from outside the park due to non-native insects that can be transported on firewood. Be prepared to buy or collect your wood once you arrive at the campground. Learn more about the emerald ash borer [295 kb PDF]

  • Horseback Riding Horseback Riding

    Bring your horse: Be part of Big South Fork's equestrian tradition Read More

  • Local Weather Local Weather

    Details for Kentucky and Tennessee Read More

  • Camping with an RV Camping with an RV

    Bandy Creek Campground offers 96 trailer sites with water and electric Read More

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.