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 male working with blacksmithing near a barn.
Experience History with Demonstrators at the Big South Fork Spring Planting & Music Festival
Step back in time and experience history in motion at the 25th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 26 at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
Blue overlay background with the cemetery circle graphic front and center.
Fifth Annual Decoration Day Cemetery Quest Set for May 3, 2025
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will celebrate the deeply rooted tradition of Decoration Day on the Cumberland Plateau with its fifth annual Cemetery Quest event.
Backcountry tent camping
Big South Fork NRRA Celebrates National Park Week 2025 with Discounted Backcountry Camping Permits
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will observe National Park Week 2025 from Saturday, April 19 through Sunday, April 27. This annual celebration highlights everything that makes national parks special—natural beauty, cultural heritage, and opportunities for exploration and discovery.
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Big South Fork Hosts Southeast Conservation Corps Veterans Fire Crew this Spring
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is hosting the Southeast Conservation Corps Veterans Fire Crew during the 2025 Spring fire season. During the season, the seven-person all-veteran crew gained on-the-job training in hazardous fuel reduction and prescribed burn operations, as well as gaining various certifications in wildland firefighting.
A frow of tents and tables set up for craft vendors and people walking by to look at items.
Vendor Opportunities Now Open for the 25th Spring Planting & Music Festival at Big South Fork NRRA
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will be hosting the 25th annual Spring Planting and Music Festival, set to take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Big South Fork NRRA in Fall
Photo by NPS Photo