Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is a United States national recreation area that straddles the regions of Eastern Tennessee and Kentucky's Daniel Boone Country.

Understand
The recreation area consists of surrounding the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and is managed by the U.S. National Park Service.

History
Most of the land within the recreation area was owned by the Stearns Coal & Lumber Company. After the decline of decline of the company in the 1960s, efforts by senators from Kentucky and Tennessee to have the area preserved as a national park began. In 1974, President Richard Nixon signed legislation creating the national recreation area. Between 1974 and 1991 the US Army Corp of Engineers purchased the land for the recreation area and turned over administration to the US National Park Service.

Landscape
The park is on the Cumberland Plateau. Geologically this area is characterized by an erosion resistant sandstone cap covering softer layers of sedimentary rock. Over millions of years the streams and rivers of the region have carved deep gorges into the plateau. Water erosion has also formed one of the highest concentrations of natural arches in the eastern United States.

Visitor information

 * Park website

Get in
There are several routes that can be taken to access the park. The four main travel corridors are I-75, I-40, US 127, and KY 92. The gateway cities are Oneida and Jamestown in Tennessee and Stearns in Kentucky.

Fees and permits
There are no fees to enter the park.

Do




Lodging
There is no lodging available within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, but there are several surrounding cities and parks that offer a variety of options.


 * Corbin, Kentucky
 * Williamsburg, Kentucky
 * Jellico, Tennessee
 * Pioneer, Tennessee
 * Cumberland Falls State Resort Park (Kentucky)
 * Pickett State Park (Tennessee)

Camping




Backcountry
Permits are required for backcountry camping. The permits may be purchased at the visitors centers at Bandy Creek and Blue Heron, or purchased through the park website. Prices vary by group size and groups larger than 24 people require special permission. The maximum length of stay is 14 days.

Water
Most fatalities in the recreation area are caused by drowning. The white water in the Big South Fork of the Cumberland ranges from class I to class IV. Know your skill level and have a plan for emergencies. The river passes through some rough and remote terrain, rescue may take some time.

Cliffs
There are many cliffs within the park. Be careful around the cliff edges.

Bears
Black Bears are active throughout the recreation area. If venturing into the back country, familiarize yourself with bear safety and always securely store your food.

Kentucky

 * Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
 * Daniel Boone National Forest
 * General Burnside Island State Park
 * Lake Cumberland State Resort Park

Tennessee

 * Indian Mountain State Park
 * Pickett State Park