About Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Encompassing 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. The area boasts miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, is rich with natural and historic features and has been developed to provide visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities.
Quick Facts
Location & Map
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is located in Kentucky.
Operating Hours
The park is always open.
Activities
Getting There
Please use the following link to learn more about how to get here from various locations.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Topics & Themes
Visitor Centers
Bandy Creek Visitor Center
Exhibits Focus on the recreational opportunities found within Big South Fork and throughout the seven surrounding counties. Facilities & Activities Ask a ranger what to…
Hours: Hours of Operation Open daily, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ET)
Blue Heron Interpretive Center
Exhibits The Blue Heron Mining Community can be visited at any time to view historic structures and listen to audio programs. Facilities & Activities Ask…
Hours: The visitor center is open May 30 through October 31. Open Wednesday through Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Hours of Operation: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:30 AM-4:30 PM ET Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM ET Outdoor structures are open year-round
Crossville Visitor Center
Located in Crossville, just off Exit 320, on I-40, across from Stone Memorial High School.
Hours: Hours of Operation.
Helenwood Visitor Center
Facilities & Activities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; free public WiFi; restrooms.
Hours: This visitor center is open 7 days a week Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Rugby Visitor Contact Station
Facilities & Activities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; free public WiFi, restrooms; park permits.
Hours: This visitor center is only open Thursday- Sunday from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.
Stearns Visitor Contact Station
Facilities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; restrooms; park permits.
Hours: Stearns Visitor Contact Station is only open Saturdays and Sundays Memorial Day through Labor Day wekend.
Campgrounds
Alum Ford Campground
Alum Ford is a primitive campground and offers six campsites with a vault toilet facility. No drinking water is located at this area. Alum Ford…
Bandy Creek Campground
The campground offers a total of 181 campsites: 96 trailer sites which offer water and electric hook-ups, 49 sites for tent camping, and two group…
Bear Creek Campground
This campground contains 23 developed campsites. Each site offers water and electricity, tables, grills, tie-outs for 4 horses, access to modern restrooms with hot showers,…
Blue Heron Campground
Blue Heron Campground is located in the Kentucky portion of Big South Fork, 9 miles west of Stearns off Highway 742. The campground offers a…
Station Camp Campground
This campground contains 24 developed campsites. Each site offers water and electricity, tables, grills, tie-outs for 4 horses, access to modern restrooms with hot showers,…
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