Be advised that the NPS has issued alerts for this park.
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...
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.
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 blu...
This campground is open year-round on the honor system. Sites may not be reserved.
The campground sits at the end of a gravel road with an entrance that passes by a small building with a bulletin board of information. This is where campers get information about the park. All sites have a gravel parking pad along with a gravel tent pad. Each site has a picnic table, lantern hook and fire ring with grill. Most sites will also have a food storage locker on site or one nearby. There is a vault toilet at the end of the campground road. The women's room is on the right and the men's room is on the left. Both are accessible.
Campground reservations for sites within Big South Fork can now be made through National Recreation Reservation Service by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at the National Recreation Reservation Service web site. Reservations may be made up to 240 days in advance. Group camp can be reserved up to 360 days in advance.
The campground sits on the right side of Bandy Creek Road with an access that passes by a building known as the campground kiosk. This is where campers check-in and/or get information about the park. The campground is made up of five loops: A loop for tent camping; B, C, and D loops are for tent and RV camping; and E loop is the group camp. All sites have a paved parking pad along with a gravel tent pad. Each site has a picnic table, lantern hook and fire ring with grill. Most sites will also have a food storage locker on site or one nearby. Hook up sites have an electrical pedestal that stands near the water hydrant as well. There are seven bathhouses throughout the campground. All are accessible except the one located in C loop. The bathhouses have a ramp that climbs up to the porch where there is a sink for dish washing. There is bathroom access from the top of the porch steps/ramp porch to a men's side on the far right, women's side to the left and an accessible restroom directly to the left. Inside the main bathrooms are stalls with wooden doors. A long counter with three sinks stands between two showers on the opposite side of the toilet stalls.
Bear Creek Horse Camp is now operated by the National Park Service. Camping reservations can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov. Unreserved sites are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
The campground sits at the end of a gravel road with an entrance that passes by a small building with a bulletin board of information. This is where campers get information about the park. All sites have a gravel parking pad along with a gravel tent pad. Each site has a picnic table, lantern hook and fire ring with grill. Most sites will also have a food storage locker on site or one nearby. Hook up sites have an electrical pedestal that stands near the water hydrant as well. There is one accessible bathhouse located in the center of the campground. Access to the bathhouse porch is up a ramp or set of steps. There is bathroom access from the center of the porch to a men's side slightly on the left, women's side on the right side and an accessible restroom directly to the left. Inside the main bathrooms are stalls. The showers are straight to the back of the restroom on each side. A sink stands against the wall just outside the showers with the toilet stalls on the opposite side.
Campground reservations for sites within Big South Fork can now be made through National Recreation Reservation Service by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov. Reservations may be made up to 240 days in advance.
The campground sits at the end of a road with two loops that pass by a building known as the campground kiosk. This is where campers check-in and/or get information about the park. All sites have a paved parking pad along with a gravel tent pad. Each site has a picnic table, lantern hook and fire ring with grill. Most sites will also have a food storage locker on site or one nearby. Hook up sites have an electrical pedestal that stands near the water hydrant as well. There is one accessible bathhouse located next to the campground kiosk in the middle of the campground. Access to the bathhouse porch is flat without steps and there is a sink for dish washing. There is bathroom access from the center of the porch to a men's side on the far right, women's side slightly to the left and an accessible restroom directly to the left. Inside the main bathrooms are stalls with wooden doors. A long counter with three sinks stands between two showers on the opposite side of the toilet stalls.
Campground reservations for sites within Big South Fork can now be made through National Recreation Reservation Service by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov. Reservations may be made up to 240 days in advance.
The campground sits at the end of a gravel road with an entrance that passes by a small bulletin board of information. This is where campers get information about the park. All sites have a gravel parking pad along with a gravel tent pad. Each site has a picnic table, lantern hook and fire ring with grill. Most sites will also have a food storage locker on site or one nearby. Hook up sites have an electrical pedestal that stands near the water hydrant as well. There is one accessible bathhouse located in the center of the campground. Access to the bathhouse porch is up a ramp or set of steps. There is bathroom access from the center of the porch to a men's side slightly on the left, women's side on the right side. Inside the main bathrooms are stalls. The showers are straight to the back of the restroom on each side. A sink stands against the wall just outside the showers with the toilet stalls on the opposite side.
Exhibits Focus on the recreational opportunities found within Big South Fork and throughout the seven surrounding counties. Facilities & Activities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; free public WiFi, bookstore, park permits, restrooms, and firewood and ice sales.
Exhibits The Blue Heron Mining Community can be visited at any time to view historic structures and listen to audio programs. Facilities & Activities Ask a ranger what to do in the park; free public WiFi, bookstore, park permits, restrooms, and a concession stand. Railroad Ride The Big South Fork Scenic Railway travels from the Stearns Depot to the Blue Heron Mining Community in a 45-minute trip. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit https://bsfsry.com/
