Current NPS alerts (4)
The Use of Drones is Prohibited at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Currently, the use of drones is prohibited at Big South Fork and all National Parks. Detailed information about the policy is available...
Big South Fork Announces Temporary Closure of Blue Heron Tipple Bridge
Big South Fork NRRA has announced the temporary closure of the historic Blue Heron Tipple Bridge, effective immediately in the interest of visitor safety. A recent bridge safety inspection conducted by the Federal Highway Administration identified structural issues specific to the pier’s bridge decking which is now leaning beyond acceptable standards.
Firewood ban is in effect for the park.
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.
Black Bears at Big South Fork
Black bears call Big South Fork NRRA home. Help keep them healthy and safe by storing all food, cooking items, feed, cosmetics and coolers properly stored when at campgrounds or in the backcountry.
Hikes, views & photo spots
Picked from official NPS trail and things-to-do pages. Lengths, difficulty and times are shown only where NPS states them. Each spot is checked against current NPS alerts on every update. NPS has no Big South Fork entries in its things-to-do API, so these come from the park's Kentucky and Tennessee trail pages.
- Photo
Yahoo Falls Loop (KY)
Length: 1 mi loopDifficulty: Easy, except very steep metal stepsLoop to a 113-foot waterfall that you can walk behind.
NPS tip: NPS notes the flow drops off in dry weather.
- View
Bear Creek Overlook (KY)
Length: 1/4 miDifficulty: EasyA short walk to one of the longest views along the river gorge.
NPS tip: NPS says overlooks along the gorge catch the sun's first and last rays of the day.
- Hike
Split Bow Arch (KY)
Length: 1.28 mi round tripDifficulty: EasyView the arch from an overlook about 100 feet from parking, or loop down to its base.
- Hike
Twin Arches (TN)
Length: 0.7 mi one wayDifficulty: Easy to moderate, some very steep stepsTime: About 1 hour round tripShort hike to one of the park's most unusual geologic features; a moderate 4.5-mile loop (3 to 4 hours) continues past rock shelters and cliffs.
- View
East Rim Overlook (TN)
Length: 300 ft paved walkDifficulty: EasyA short paved walk at the end of East Rim Road to an overlook.
- View
Sunset Overlook (TN)
Length: 1.3 mi one wayDifficulty: EasyTime: About 1 hourNPS says the walk in from the East Rim trailhead is plain but the view is worth it. There are no railings, so use extreme caution.
Weather alerts (National Weather Service)
No active NWS watches, warnings or advisories for the forecast zone and county at the park's central point.
About this site
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.
- Type
- National River & Recreation Area
- States
- Kentucky, Tennessee
- Address
- 4564 Leatherwood Road, Oneida, TN 37841