Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
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.
Photo: NPS Photo / NPS
About Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
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.
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Driving times from Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Hours
Park Operating Hours
- Mon
- All Day
- Tue
- All Day
- Wed
- All Day
- Thu
- All Day
- Fri
- All Day
- Sat
- All Day
- Sun
- All Day
Activities
Getting there
The weather along the Cumberland Plateau can be best described as unpredictable. Each season brings its own weather patterns. Summers are generally hot and humid, with high temperatures sometimes eclipsing 90 degrees. The low temperatures in winter often dip below freezing. Spring sees the most amount of precipitation, but rainfall can occur in various amounts throughout the year.
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area?
- Popular activities include Arts and Culture, Astronomy, Backcountry Camping, Biking, Birdwatching, Boating.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Obed Wild & Scenic River (1 h 14 min), Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument (1 h 37 min), Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (2 h 12 min), Camp Nelson National Monument (2 h 30 min), Andrew Johnson National Historic Site (2 h 51 min), Stones River National Battlefield (2 h 57 min).