Miles of river gorges and sandstone bluffs provide visitors with many options for recreational activities from whitewater rafting, hiking, and camping to. Big south fork national river and recreation area is full of activities for outdoorsy and nature types to enjoy. The no business creek area of the big south fork is hard to beat. Ive been to many areas of big south fork but this would be my first time to the twin arches area and i couldnt wait to check it out. Please help protect our public lands and enhance the backcountry experience for all by using minimum impact techniques and observing all regulations. Five big south fork day hikes for outdoor adventure.
Because the south fork trail is more challenging due to steepness, rugged terrain, and occasional indistinct trail treads, and possibly because it lacks the accessible. Destinations described in this book are grouped into three geographic areas. A friend and i would like to do some backpacking in tennessees big south fork national river and recreation area in october. Big south fork backpacking trip a three day 30 mile loop. On the maps, the trails are marked with an alternating purple and white line. The 257mile sheltowee trace national recreation trail enters the big south fork near yahoo falls, following the river for eight miles before returning to the daniel boone national forest. Big south fork nrra, pickett state park located in tennessee just west of bsf, and southern daniel boone national forest, located in southern kentucky. Big south fork tennessee backpacking april 2015 youtube. The weather forecast was stating that the temperature would be right at 60f and sunny so it would be a great weekend to get out and get rid of some of that cabin fever from being cooped up all winter. Encompassing 125,000 acres of the cumberland plateau, big south fork national river and recreation area protects the freeflowing big south fork of the cumberland river and its tributaries. Now in its third edition, hiking the big south fork is packed with uptodate information on the trails of the big south fork national river and recreation area in tennessee and kentucky. Located in tennessee and kentucky, the big south fork national river and recreation area boasts a diverse and dramatic landscape ideal for all types of outdoor activities. We were just starting a hike up to middle palisade and it was stretched out across the trail not far from the end of the road.
We will be doing a 30 mile loop hike starting and ending at the bandy creek visitors center. Although the index lists 21 waterfalls, none of the 12 area maps show their locations. The 2020 backpacking season got off to an early start with a january hike to big south fork national river and recreation area in tennessee. A guide for hikers, bikers, and horse riders a tagalong book by russ manning and sondra jamieson nov 1, 1995 paperback. Hiking the big south fork deaver, brenda g, duncan, howard r, smith, jo anna on. Immediately after crossing a footbridge, the trail begins a series of switchbacks that lead to the grand gap loop. Alltrails has 41 great hiking trails, running trails. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. In an effort to make the trail system more user friendly for a wide.
A great reference book for big south fork is hiking the big south fork. Hiking trails in big south fork big south fork hiking trails. Big south fork landforms waypoints for arches, waterfalls, etc. After fording the south fork, we worked our way up big salmon creek. I actually saw a rattlesnake on the south fork of big pine creek trail last year. Big south fork national river and recreation area contains five developed campgrounds which are intended to meet the needs of almost any camper visiting the park. Posted on aug 3, 2011 in big south fork national recreation area, great smoky mountains, quetico provincial park adventure travel, backpacking, camping, hiking 10 comments. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from march until october.
Post photos and videos of hikes, info about the park and its trails, organize volunteer events in the park, etc. This yearlong selfpaced challenge was designed to encourage all visitors to explore and experience big south fork while maintaining a healthy lifestyle, reducing stress, and being physically active. We needed a threeday ride, with moderate mileage and elevationmaybe 90 miles and 6000 feet of climbingwithin a few hours drive of chattanooga. Big south fork nrra tennessee backpacking january 2020. Go big 2020 challenge big south fork national river. Established in 1974, the big south fork national river and recreation area encompasses roughly 125,000 acres in some of the most rugged terrain of the cumberland plateau.
Scanning the map, my eyes locked on big south fork rec area. See availability the fine print guests are required to. The big south fork has a welldeserved reputation as one of the most beautiful recreation areas in the u. During the spring of 2019, a few buddies and i hiked from leatherwood ford to angel falls overlook. In the early 90s duncan hollow was the original mountain bike specific trail in the park.
Nov 18, 20 the big south fork encompasses the national recreation area, but there is also pickett state park to the west and a huge section of the daniel boone national forest to the north. Charit creek lodge is a rustic backcountry lodge located in big south fork, only accessible by hiking. There is a stretch of river between big island and devils jumpblue heron that is only accessible by boat. Five big south fork day hikes the iconic big south fork vista from the angel falls overlook there are great overnight hiking opportunities in the park with the 269 sheltowee trace trail, the john muir trail, and over 150 miles of trails overall in the park. Heres a list of some fun things you can do while visiting the area. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. A great reference book for big south fork is hiking the big south fork, second ed by brenda d. Big south fork trail lodge accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival. Popular overnight hiking trails big south fork national. Id say its most notable for the hundreds of sandstone arches and other formations. We camped off of grand gap loop, and it was a good time. The big south fork has over 450 miles of trails and about 300 miles are open to mountain biking. This national geographic trails illustrated folded map offers comprehensive coverage of kentuckys big south fork national river and recreation area. A place for big south fork nrra hikers to hook up and hang out.
Deaver 1999, paperback, revised at the best online prices at ebay. We took a couple of pics, and i headed over the footbridge across the big south fork of the cumberland river. Big south fork nrra was the first to be designated as both a national river and a national recreation area in the u. Only a little over an hour from downtown knoxville, this nationally significant area is an unforgettable place and an absolute must see. Want a fun day hike sampling of the best that big south fork has to offer. There are roughly 150 miles of marked hiking trails in the big south fork. This newly updated guide includes information on the areas geology, history, and wildlife, plus horseback riding, whitewater paddling, and backpacking. These three adjacent areas contain more arches than.
Big south fork winter backpacking 60mile loop youtube. As we excitedly rolled our rig into bandy creek campground at big south fork national recreational area near oneida, tennessee, the ranger at the checkin kiosk updated us that we were in the middle of black bear mating season. Aug 03, 2011 how to choose a backcountry camping site when backpacking. The tumbling waters of the creek rage down from big salmon lake, the largest body of water in the bob marshall wilderness. Make sure you select jm23, the north fork, and not jm 24, the south fork. Charit creek lodge is a rustic wilderness lodge located in a valley in the heart of big south fork. The south fork trail explores the dramatic canyon and spectacular high country of the south fork big pine creek watershed, which also comes with its own lakes and glaciers. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Big south fork has some fun sites too, but its a bigger area and everythings further between. The book combines numerous details about the natural history of the area with fascinating tidbits of folklore and legend to provide an interpretive guide to the trails. All the trails of the big south fork plus adjacent national forests and parks. A large trail system is designed to take you into the heart of the park. Bsf is possibly the first nps unit to embrace mountain biking. South fork big pine creek to finger lake modern hiker.
Please help protect our public lands and enhance the backcountry experience for all by using minimum. Packrafting the big south fork ky backcountry post. The author of this book provides an enormous amount of information on the trails of the big south fork. I am only giving this book 3 stars out of 5 because of the inadequately detailed maps. How to choose a backcountry camping site when backpacking. The trail is rated as difficult and offers a number of activity options. On a rock outcropping overlooking the big south fork river east of oneida is an elaborate carving that at least closely resembles an early greek symbol of jesus christ. Boberts only had friday off, while i was just passing through between projects. Those are questions that dont seem to have answers even in a national park where. Charit creek lodge trail directory park map blog accommodations. Dec 27, 2019 to book permits in advance, visit recreation. Jun 03, 2015 bailey rose, jaden and i took a 3day, 2night exploration trip in early april 2015 to big south fork national river recreation area, generally known as the big south fork.
Hiking is one of the most popular and rewarding activities within big south fork. The entire point of the hike was to make it up to finger lake and check out middle palisade towering above the south fork drainage, but we never made it that far. Its located in north central tennessee and southeastern kentucky, and protects the freeflowing big south fork of the cumberland river and its tributaries. Two campgrounds, bandy creek tn and blue heron ky are highly developed sites with many amenities while the alum ford campground ky offers a limited number of primitive campsites. Take a hike there are 150 miles of hiking trails on both the kentucky and tennessee sides of big south fork. Young hiker enjoying the view from one of many overlooks of the big south fork river gorge.
The centerpiece is a dramatic river gorge with classic whitewater runs and alluring side canyons. The four cs of the big south fork, jamestown, tennessee. Prime members enjoy free twoday delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, tv shows, original audio series, and kindle books. Backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding opportunities on secluded trails abound in this 123,000acre area. We are a very small operation offering a two story cabin and two full hookup camping sites. The angel falls overlook trail portion of the hike parallels the big south fork of the cumberland river, the parks main river artery. Big south fork has developed a map depicting the trail system, broken into nine detailed maps of.
There appears to be no shortage of trails to hike or things to see. The two trails converge to the right for about 350 yards to the angel falls overlook which provides awesome views of the big south fork of the cumberland river. In addition, trail maps and guide books are available from eastern national. Hiking the big south fork by jo anna smith, howard r. Great for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Located in stearns, big south fork trail lodge is in the historical district and near a train station. I headed up the river and churned up my first set of switchbacks. With a few exceptions, the trails open to mountain bikes have difficulty ratings ranging from beginner to intermediate. Big south fork has developed a map depicting the trail system, broken into nine detailed maps of all trail uses.
Continue on in the same direction along the edge of the bluff ridge. Big south forks mysterious chi rho independent herald. These three adjacent areas contain more arches than just about any area in the east. Some of the most popular hikes include twin arches, slave fallsneedle arch, sunset overlook, angel falls rapids, bear creek overlook, and the yahoo falls loop. Select the number of permits you want, then your entry trailhead. Hiker shuttles for long hiking trips in both the daniel boone national forest area and the big south fork river and recreation ares. This innovative marriage of park management protects and preserves the area with few roads and no development while still offering visitors endless recreational opportunities. Dec 10, 2010 this is a two night three day, 30 mile hike, in the big south fork national river and recreation area in tennessee. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Hiking trails at the big south fork range from short, easy hikes to longdistance over night hikes. Split bow arch is one of the most accessible arches in big south fork. Aug 27, 2014 hooray for a relaxing weekend of camping on the cumberland plateau. The national park service uses trail markers to designate trail uses. Home forums general forums general lightweight backpacking discussion john muir trail in big south fork recreation area viewing 3 posts 1 through 3 of 3 total forums are supported by our merchant partners disclosure rei coupons zpacks hyperlite patagonia arcteryx rbtr drop backcountry. Trails illustrated big south fork national recreation area. On top of that, a lot of the trails that parallel the river for other sections dont actually have views of.
In fact, the towering arches, homey rock houses shallow caves, and soaring overlooks youll find in big south fork national river and recreation area make it the crown jewel of the cumberland plateau and a great unsung hiking treasure. The grand gap loop trail begins where it intersects with the jmt. Tennessees arches backpacker your backpacking, hiking. The lodge offers a unique way to experience the beauty and serenity of the park. Big south fork national river and recreation area was established by congress in march of 1974. Big south fork nrra offers some of tennessees most wild and rugged territory 125,000 acres of it. Plan b in tennessee bikepacking big south fork rec area. Natural arch scenic area is a local attraction and the areas natural beauty can be seen at cumberland falls and split bow arch overlook. Temps were dropping instead of warming, and my thermometer read 32 degrees, the warmest i would see on my hike. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search.