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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Oneida, TN

The free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries pass through 90 miles of scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide range of natural and historic features. The area offers a broad range of recreational opportunities including camping, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting and fishing. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with its experience in managing river basins, was charged with land acquisition, planning and development of facilities. Now completed, these lands and facilities are operated and maintained by the National Park Service for the benefit and use of the public.

CONTACTS

Email - BISO_Information@nps.gov

Fax- (423) 569-5505

Write to
4564 Leatherwood Road
Oneida, TN 37841

Phone
Headquarters - (423) 569-9778
Visitor Information - (423) 286-7275
Visitor Information - (606) 376-5073

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
The park is open year around.

The Bandy Creek Visitor Center is open daily, except Christmas. Visitor Center hours are 8:00 to 4:30 from November through May and 8:00 to 6:00 from June through October (eastern time).

The Kentucky Visitor Center is open daily from May through October from 9:00 to 5:30. From November through April hours may vary. Calling ahead is suggested.

Getting There
PLANE - The closest commercial airports are in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee and Lexington, Kentucky.

CAR - The area is most easily reached by car. Southbound on I-75 take KY 461 south to KY 80, take 80 west to U.S. 27, take 27 south to Oneida and follow TN 297 west into the park. From I-75 northbound, take TN 63 west to U.S. 27, take 27 north to Oneida and follow TN 297 west into the park. From I-40 westbound, exit at U.S. 27, travel north to Oneida and follow TN 297 west into the park. From I-40 eastbound, exit at U.S 127 and travel north to TN 154, take 154 north to TN 297 and follow take 297 east into the park.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - No Public Transportation is available.

Weather & Climate
The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is located in a humid climatic region, typified by mild winters and moist warm to hot summers. Storm systems typically bring heavy rains from December through March which may cause flooding. Summer thunderstorms are common. Winter snowfall occurs intermittently in the area and averages 17 inches per year. Wear comfortable clothing for the season and bring clothing for the possible extremes.

Accessibility
Bandy Creek and Blue Heron Campgrounds offer accessible camp sites and restroom/shower buildings.

The Bandy Creek and Kentucky Visitor Centers area both accessible.

Leatherwood Ford Trailhead offers a short trail up to the Bandy Creek Rapids which is designed to be accessible to all users.

Getting Around
Personal vehicle, 4-wheel drive vehicle, bicycle and horse.

FEES/PERMITS

Activity Fee
ALUM FORD BOAT LAUNCH
$3.00 for Day
$30.00 for Annual
Daily or annual launch fee for use of the Alum Ford Boat Ramp

SWIMMING POOL (CAMPERS)
$2.00 for One Time
$5.00 for One Time
Campers may purchase a single person or family pass for the length of their stay at Bandy Creek Campground.

SWIMMING POOL (NON-CAMPER)
$2.00 - $30.00 for Day
$10.00 - 30.00 for Annual
Non-campers may purchase a single day person/family pass or a annual single/family pass.

Permits
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING
$5.00 - 25.00 for One Time
$50.00 for Annual
Backcountry camping fee is based on group size and is good for the length of stay.

CAMPING

Alum Ford
Open All Year
Alum Ford provides 8 primitive sites, portable toilets but no drinking water. Camping Fee is $5.00 per night.
For More Information on this campground please call (606) 376-5073

Bandy Creek Campground
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Open All Year
Bandy Creek Campground offers 100 sites with water and electric, 50 tent sites and two group camping area, restrooms, showers, dump station and swimming pool. Bandy Creek Campground offers handicapped accessible sites. Reservations for the Bandy Creek Campground and group sites are available between April 1 and October 31, walk-ins are also permitted. Camping fee is $18.00 per night for sites with electricity and $15.00 per night for sites with no electricity.
For More Information on this campground please call (423) 286-8368

Blue Heron Campground
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Blue Heron Campground offers 45 sites with water and electric, restrooms, showers and dump station. The campground offers handicapped accessible sites. Camping fees are $15.00 per night. Blue Heron Campground will become a part of the National Park Service Reservations system in 2001.
For More Information on this campground please call (606) 376-2611

LODGING

Charit Creek Lodge
Open All Year
Charit Creek Lodge is a concessions operation within Big South Fork NRRA. The lodge is a backcountry facility accessible only by foot or horseback. Charit Creek offers full service accommodations, but no phones or electricity.
For More Information on this lodging please call (865) 429-5704

FACILITIES

Museums
BLUE HERON MINING COMMUNITY
Open All Year
Phone - 606-376-3787
Location - Blue Heron Mining Community is located 9 miles west of Stearns, Kentucky, on Hwy 742.
Exhibits - Blue Heron, or Mine 18, is an abandoned coal mining town. It was a part of the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company's past operation in what today is the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. Most of what we know about life at Blue Heron, and the other Stearns coal towns, has been handed down by oral history. Blue Heron mine operated from 1937 until December, 1962, when it closed. During that time, hundreds of people lived and worked in the isolated community on the banks of the Big South Fork River. Their story is the focus of this interpretive tour of the Blue Heron Community.
Available Facilities - Restrooms and vending machines are on site. Food service is available during hours of operation of the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. Blue Heron Campground is located 3 miles east of Blue Heron Mining Community.

Visitor Centers
BANDY CREEK
Phone - (423) 286-7275
Location - Bandy Creek Visitor Center is located 2 miles off Hwy 297. The center is approximately 15 miles west of Oneida, Tennessee and 25 miles east of Jamestown, Tennessee.
Closures - Bandy Creek Visitor Center is closed Christmas Day.
Special Programs - Summer evening programs on Saturday night from Memorial Day through September. Special events throughout the year including Pioneer Encampments, Astronomy Programs and the "Haunting in the Hills" Storytelling Festival.
Exhibits - Exhibits located in the center serve to orient visitors to the park's recreational opportunities as well as opportunities existing in neighboring counties.
Available Facilities - Eastern National maintains a bookstore in the Bandy Creek Visitor Center.

STEARNS VISTOR CENTER
Phone - (606) 376-5073
Location - Located on KY 92, 1/2 mile west off Hwy 27.
Closures - Open only on weekends from November through March. Calling ahead is suggested.
Available Facilities - Eastern National maintains a bookstore at the Stearns Visitor Center.

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