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.
Map showing location of park.
National Park Service Announces Planting and Music Festival in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
The National Park Service invites the public and seeks vendors for the 26th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 25 in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
The Annual Big South Fork "Mail Run" Mountain Bike Event
Every New Year’s Day the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area and the Big South Fork Bike Club invite all mountain bikers to ride the annual Big South Fork “Mail Run” event.
Big South Fork NRRA Honors 2025 GO BIG Challenge Participants During Event Celebration
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will be celebrating the participants of the GO BIG 2025 Challenge at the GO BIG Celebration on Saturday, December 6, at 10 AM (ET) at Bandy Creek Visitor Center.
Endangered Freshwater Species Shows Signs of Population Increases
An endangered freshwater mussel species in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is showing signs of natural population increases for the first time. The tan riffleshell (Epioblasma walkeri) is an endangered mussel found in only a few locations within the Big South Fork of the Cumberland and the upper Clinch Rivers.
Big South Fork Announces Storyteller & Musician Lineup for the 15th Annual Blue Heron Ghost Mine
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will present the 15th annual Blue Heron Ghost Mine on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Blue Heron Outdoor Museum. This free evening of live music starts at 5:00 PM ET with storytelling beginning at 7:00 PM ET beneath the historic coal tipple.
Photo by NPS Photo