Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Information See 4 current alerts
Current alerts (4)
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Information
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...
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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 from the park: Big South Fork Announces Temporary Closure of Blue Heron Tipple Bridge
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Information
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.
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Information
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.
Hours
Park Operating Hours
| Every day | All Day |
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The park is always open.
Visitor centers
Bandy Creek Visitor Center
Bandy Creek Visitor Center
| Every day | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
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Coming up:
- Nov 26: Thanksgiving Day (closed)
Hours of Operation
Open daily, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ET)
Helenwood Visitor Center
Helenwood Visitor Center
| Every day | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
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This visitor center is open 7 days a week Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Stearns Visitor Contact Station
Stearns Visitor Contact Station
| Monday – Friday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Saturday – Sunday | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
Stearns Visitor Contact Station is only open Saturdays and Sundays Memorial Day through Labor Day wekend.
Visitor center page on nps.gov: Stearns Visitor Contact Station
Blue Heron Interpretive Center
Blue Heron Interpretive Center
| Monday – Tuesday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Wednesday – Friday | 9:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Saturday – Sunday | 10:00AM - 5:00PM |
Coming up:
- Nov 1 – Mar 31: Winter Hours of Operation (closed)
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
Visitor center page on nps.gov: Blue Heron Interpretive Center
Rugby Visitor Contact Station
Rugby Visitor Contact Station
| Monday – Wednesday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Thursday – Saturday | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Sunday | 12:00PM - 5:00PM |
This visitor center is only open Thursday- Sunday from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.
Visitor center page on nps.gov: Rugby Visitor Contact Station
Crossville Visitor Center
Crossville Visitor Center
| Monday – Sunday | 9:00AM - 5:00PM |
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Hours of Operation.
Events in the next few days
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Ranger-led Program at Blue Heron Visitor Center
· 01:00 PM – 01:15 PM · Blue Heron, KY · Free
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Appalachian Storyteller Guest Performance: Lounicia Hughett
· 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM · Blue Heron Interpretive Center in Kentucky at the end of Mine 18 Rd. · Free
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Ranger-led Campground Program at Bandy Creek Campfire Circle
· 06:30 PM – 07:30 PM · Bandy Creek Campground Campfire Circle across from the pool parking lot. · Free
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Ranger-led Porch Talks: Bandy Creek
· 02:00 PM – 02:30 PM · Bandy Creek Visitor Center, 151 Stable Rd Oneida TN 37841 · Free
About this park
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.