Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
National River & Recreation Area · TN, KY
5 noticesfrom the National Park Service
Information · 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.
More informationInformation · Big South Fork’s Brewster Bridge Road to Temporarily Close for Repair
Brewster Bridge Road in Big South Fork NRRA will temporarily close for repair and re-pavement beginning on Monday, June 29. The road was heavily damaged from significant rain events in 2022 and 2023. The area boat launch and day use area will be inaccessible during the project.
More informationInformation · 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.
More informationInformation · 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.
More informationInformation · 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...
More information
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.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/biso
- Location
- Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (36.535, -84.665)
Track your visit to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Bandy Creek Visitor Center
- Blue Heron Interpretive Center
- Crossville Visitor Center
- Helenwood Visitor Center
- Rugby Visitor Contact Station
- Stearns Visitor Contact Station
Hours
Park Operating Hourstoday: All Day
- Sat Oct 3All Day
- Sun Oct 4All Day
- Mon Oct 5All Day
- Tue Oct 6All Day
- Wed Oct 7All Day
- Thu Oct 8All Day
- Fri Oct 9All Day
The park is always open.
Hours are retrieved from the National Park Service and can change without notice — check the official site before you go.
Visitor centers
6
- Bandy Creek Visitor Centertoday: 9:00AM - 5:00PMDirections
- Blue Heron Interpretive Centertoday: 10:00AM - 5:00PMDirections
- Crossville Visitor Centertoday: 9:00AM - 5:00PMDirections
- Helenwood Visitor Centertoday: 9:00AM - 5:00PMDirections
Entrance fees
No entrance fee.
Nearby13 within 100 miles
- Obed Wild and Scenic RiverNational Wild and Scenic River6.3 mi
- Mill Springs Battlefield National MonumentNational Monument28 mi
- Manhattan Project National Historical ParkNational Historical Park31 mi
- Cumberland Gap National Historical ParkNational Historical Park39 mi
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park