Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — 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.
Camping & reservations
The booking button opens the official provider or park-specific camping instructions published by the NPS. Select the named campground and verify its dates, access and site rules.
Bandy Creek Campground ↗
The campground offers a total of 181 campsites: 96 trailer sites which offer water and electric hook-ups, 49 sites for tent camping, and two group camping loops with 19 sites in one loop and 16 sites in the other. All campsites include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms and showers. A dump station is located near the registration kiosk. There are no sewer hook-ups at individual trailer sites. The group campsites also have their own cook shelters and campfire circles.
Reservations: Campground reservations for sites within Big South Fork can now be made through National Recreation Reservation Service by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at the National Recreation Reservation Service web site. Reservations may be made up to 240 days in advance. Group camp can be reserved up to 360 days in advance.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: There are ten 50 amp service sites: B11, C12, C32, D7, D24, D26, D29, D30, D31 and D48. All other sites in loops B, C and D provide 20/30 amp service. Right side trailers are permitted to park up to four feet on the tent pad, however they may not park on the grass. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Firewood must be purchased and/or collected from the local vicinity; to learn more visit http://dontmovefirewood.org/.
Site rules: All food, food items (mustard, ketchup, etc), coolers (even if they are empty or have ice, water, pop, etc), must be kept in a vehicle or trailer with hard sides, except while preparing or eating it. Parking is allowed on the asphalt surface ONLY, not on the grass or gravel pads (gravel pads are for tents). Pets MUST be restrained on a leash AT ALL TIMES. QUIET HOURS ARE FROM 10:00 PM (ET) TO 6:00 AM (ET) All grey water (dishes, shower, etc) must NEVER be dumped onto the ground. Bicycles may be ridden at night only if you have a light in the front and a red reflective marker on the back.…
Bear Creek Campground ↗
This campground contains 23 developed campsites. Each site offers water and electricity, tables, grills, tie-outs for 4 horses, access to modern restrooms with hot showers, a dump station and access miles of horse trails. Bear Creek Horse Camp is located on Bear Creek Road off Hwy. 742, west of Stearns, Kentucky. The fee rate per night is $28.00 (half price for holders of the Interagency Access/Senior Passes).
Reservations: Bear Creek Horse Camp is now operated by the National Park Service. Camping reservations can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov. Unreserved sites are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: RVs and trailers are permitted. NPS lists an RV maximum of 52 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather.
Fires: Firewood must be purchased and/or collected from the local vicinity; to learn more visit http://dontmovefirewood.org/.
Site rules: All food, food items (mustard, ketchup, etc), coolers (even if they are empty or have ice, water, pop, etc), must be kept in a vehicle or trailer with hard sides, except while preparing or eating it. Parking is not allowed on the gravel pads (gravel pads are for tents). Pets MUST be restrained on a leash AT ALL TIMES. QUIET HOURS ARE FROM 10:00 PM (ET) TO 6:00 AM (ET) All grey water (dishes, shower, etc) must NEVER be dumped onto the ground. Motorized vehicles not designated for on highway use (i.e. ATV’s, golf carts, etc) are prohibited on public roads including campground roads within the…
Blue Heron Campground ↗
Blue Heron Campground is located in the Kentucky portion of Big South Fork, 9 miles west of Stearns off Highway 742. The campground offers a total of 45 sites all with water and electric hook-ups, picnic tables, fire-rings, access to restrooms and showers and a dump station.
Reservations: Campground reservations for sites within Big South Fork can now be made through National Recreation Reservation Service by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov. Reservations may be made up to 240 days in advance.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: All sites have 20 and 30 amp service with water. There are no sewer hookups on each site. NPS lists an RV maximum of 50 feet. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Paved Roads - All vehicles OK.
Fires: Firewood must be purchased and/or collected from the local vicinity; to learn more visit http://dontmovefirewood.org/.
Site rules: All food, food items (mustard, ketchup, etc), coolers (even if they are empty or have ice, water, pop, etc), must be kept in a vehicle or trailer with hard sides, except while preparing or eating it. Parking is allowed on the asphalt surface ONLY, not on the grass or gravel pads (gravel pads are for tents). Pets MUST be restrained on a leash AT ALL TIMES. QUIET HOURS ARE FROM 10:00 PM (ET) TO 6:00 AM (ET) Alcohol is prohibited in the Kentucky area of the Park. All grey water (dishes, shower, etc) must NEVER be dumped onto the ground. Bicycles may be ridden at night only if you have a light in…
Station Camp Campground ↗
This campground contains 24 developed campsites. Each site offers water and electricity, tables, grills, tie-outs for 4 horses, access to modern restrooms with hot showers, a dump station and access miles of horse trails. Station Camp Campground is located on station Camp Road approximately 4.5 miles from the intersection of Coopertown Road and Leatherwood Road . The fee rate per night is $28.00 (half price for holders of the Interagency Access/Senior Passes).
Reservations: Campground reservations for sites within Big South Fork can now be made through National Recreation Reservation Service by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov. Reservations may be made up to 240 days in advance.
Reservations / current camping instructions ↗
RV / truck camping: RVs and trailers can easily access the accessible site. Confirm the exact site and current approach.
Approach: Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather.
Fires: Fires may be built inside the fire-rings on each site.
Site rules: All food, food items (mustard, ketchup, etc), coolers (even if they are empty or have ice, water, pop, etc), must be kept in a vehicle or trailer with hard sides, except while preparing or eating it. Parking is not allowed on the gravel pads (gravel pads are for tents). Pets MUST be restrained on a leash AT ALL TIMES. QUIET HOURS ARE FROM 10:00 PM (ET) TO 6:00 AM (ET) All grey water (dishes, shower, etc) must NEVER be dumped onto the ground. Motorized vehicles not designated for on highway use (i.e. ATV’s, golf carts, etc) are prohibited on public roads including campground roads within the…
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
NPS lists RV access at Bandy Creek Campground. There are ten 50 amp service sites: B11, C12, C32, D7, D24, D26, D29, D30, D31 and D48. All other sites in loops B, C and D provide 20/30 amp service. Right side trailers are permitted to park up to four feet on the tent pad, however they may not park on the grass.
Backcountry camping and vehicle camping require park-specific authorization; National Park Service land is not generally open to unrestricted roadside camping. Confirm designated sites, permits and food-storage rules with this unit.
Activities, hiking & trails
Hiking. Official activities and trail-planning information ↗
NPS-listed recreation: Arts and Culture, Astronomy, Stargazing, Biking, Mountain Biking, Boating, Camping, Backcountry Camping, Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use), RV Camping, Climbing, Rock Climbing, Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Food, Picnicking, Hiking, Horse Trekking, Horseback Riding, Hunting and Gathering, Hunting, Paddling, Junior Ranger Program, Tubing, Swimming, Pool Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching, Park Film, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store.
Maps & road access
Use the official NPS directions and current alerts. Check vehicle restrictions and campground approach roads before traveling.
Please use the following link to learn more about how to get here from various locations. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
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.
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. National Park Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Big South Fork NRRA in Fall
Big South Fork NRRA in Fall
Credit: NPS Photo. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Campsite at Bandy Creek
Campers enjoy a beautiful day in the park.
Credit: NPS photo. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.