Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Big South Fork NRRA in Fall
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.
Map showing location of park.
A stethoscope, tea, scarf, and a sign reading "Flu Season Ahead" on a blue background.
Big South Fork is Partnering with Walgreens for a Vaccination Clinic
Flu season is almost here and on Wednesday, October 9, Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, in partnership with Walgreens of Oneida, are teaming up to provide an influenza (flu) shot clinic in the park.
A scenic view from the East Rim Overlook showing a valley of autumn-colored trees and a river winding below, with a public telescope in the foreground on a wooden observation deck.
Vandals Destroy Big South Fork’s Specially-Equipped Viewfinder That Helped Color Blind Visitors See Vibrant Fall Foliage
Sometime during the night of September 21, vandals destroyed a specialized viewfinder that helps color blind visitors see vibrant fall foliage in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
A crowd watching a performer at a previous ghost mine event.
Local Tales Spun from Mine-18 During the Fourteenth Annual Blue Heron Ghost Mine
Venture into the hollows of Big South Fork NRRA as we celebrate the time-honored tradition of storytelling in Kentucky during the 14th annual Blue Heron Ghost Mine on Friday, October 18, 2024.
Graphic reading "National Public Lands Day, National Park" with illustrations of visitors doing various park activities like scuba diving, hiking, kayaking, and picking up trash.
Big South Fork to Celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 28th
Get outdoors and take part in the celebration of National Public Lands Day with the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The park will be hosting a volunteer trails work day that day. All interested persons should report to the Leatherwood Ford Gazebo at 8:30 am ET that day.
A storyteller and interpreter standing on stage from a previous event.
The 32nd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival Announces Schedule of Events
Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable experience as the 32nd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival returns on Saturday, September 21, from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (ET) at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center area!
Big South Fork NRRA in Fall
Photo by NPS Photo