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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area Mountain Laurel blooming in the spring.
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Hiking
 
Hikers stopping to look at wildflowers along a trail in Big South Fork.
Hikers on the trail to Charit Creek stop to admire spring wildflowers.
 

Hiking is one of the most popular and rewarding activities within Big South Fork.  A large  trail system is designed to take you into the heart of the park.

Within the trail system there are a full range of opportunities available, from a short easy hike along the Big South Fork River to long and strenuous multiple day hikes.  There is even a section of the John Muir National Recreation Trail that passes through the park.

The information presented on the Tennessee hiking trails and the Kentucky hiking trails, only scratches the surface of what is available in Big South Fork.  As you plan your hiking adventure in the park, contact the staff at both visitor centers for complete and up-to-date information on these and other trails in the park.  In addition, trail maps and guide books are available from Eastern National.

In an effort to make the trail system more user friendly for a wide variety of users at Big South Fork, the park has implemented a trailhead and trail marking system.

The Most Description: Big South Fork has developed a map depicting the trail system, broken into nine detailed maps of all trail uses.

paper permit
Backcountry Permit
Permits are required to camp overnight along the trails
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South Arch of the Twin Arches 
Sandstone Arches
Cumberland Plateau is an area rich in sandstone arches
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Cabin located at Charit Creek Lodge 
Charit Creek Lodge
Rustic backcountry lodging available
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Camping tent
Camping Options
Big South Fork offers developed, primitive, and equestrian sites
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Park interpreter presents program on Longhunters.

Did You Know?
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.

Last Updated: September 12, 2011 at 08:03 MST