Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Cumberland Plateau Mountains, Tennessee   Big South Fork National River flows throghs some incredibly scenic valleys, it's perfect for all kinds of outdoors fun. Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area has scenic nature scenery for your viewing gratification. Lakes? Sure, West Pond is in close proximity; a quick spree to Pine Creek is certainly a good idea. Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is a scenic site that is popular with folks from far and wide. Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area sees pretty high levels of rainfall; March is when you get the most rain     here; the driest month of the year is October. And that's not all the things you can do here in the Cumberland Plateau Mountains. Since you might be in a lake visiting mood you can always check out close by Brown Pond, and why not stop by Pine Creek Number One Dam while you're here. It's a wonderful idea to go to Litton Fork, it's in the neighborhood of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area; you're most likely into lakes, Laxion Lake is one of those nearby. Summertime highs at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area frequently tend to be in the 80's while overnight lows are commonly in the 60's. For the duration of the wintertime the highs are ordinarily in the 40's while Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area overnight low temperatures throughout the wintertime are in the 20's. There is so much       here; the driest month of the year is October. And that's not all the things you can do here in the Cumberland Plateau Mountains. Since you might be in a lake visiting mood you can always check out close by Brown Pond, and why not stop by Pine Creek Number One Dam while you're River & Recreation Area is Pine Creek, and Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is not far at all from Oneida. This is a magnificent region for folks who like lakes. Laxton Lake is a lake around here, and why not spend some time golfing at a nearby golf course like Oneida Golf & Country Club. There's some flowing water close by, North Fork Pine Creek is a stream you can pop by during your stay, and if you're interested in hydro structures, you can have a look at Laxton Lake Dam. So many enjoyable things in the Cumberland Plateau Mountains,   just impressive. Brown Branch flows through this region, and you can run the rapids of New River. Why not stop at nearby Pine Creek since you're here at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area; Roaring Paunch River is a delightful whitewater spot close by. Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area has tremendous outdoors recreation, so you can enjoy yourself while you're here. Just can't get enough of the Cumberland Plateau Mountains. Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is a common site to spend time for the inhabitants of Oneida. And that's not all you can do here at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. Carter Lake is a perfect lake right next door to Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, and in case you don’t have a problem getting covered with water, you can always go whitewater paddling on Cumberland River - Big South Fork. Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is a tremendous site for a spree when you have got to spend some time in nature. 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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Tennessee Outdoors Index Campgrounds Near or in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Tennessee Paddling Rivers Near or in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Tennessee Other National Parks Near Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Tennessee Trails Near or in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Tennessee Hotels Near or in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Tennessee Lakes Near or in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Tennessee Beaches Near or in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Tennessee Golf Courses Near or in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Tennessee Ski Areas Near or in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Tennessee     Best Western South Fork Inn, Whitley City 13.5 miles away Comfort Inn Pioneer, Pioneer 19.4 miles away Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin 22.5 miles away Super 8 Motel - Caryville, Caryville 23.8 miles away Jellico-Days Inn North Tennessee State Line, Jellico 26.1 miles away SUPER 8 MOTEL - WILLIAMSBURG, Williamsburg 27.2 miles away Lake City-Days Inn, Lake City 28.3 miles away Scottish Inn - Norris Lake/Lake Cty, Lake City 28.8 miles away Holiday Inn Express Monticello, Ky, Monticello 30.2 miles away Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Somerset, Ky, Somerset 30.4 miles away * Distances listed are direct linear distances, actual travel distance may be different.