Park
Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area
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Campgrounds
10
Trails
60
Points of interest
6
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Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area
Tennessee · Upper Cumberland watershed
About this park
Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area
The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is a scenic area located on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. Visitors are drawn to the area for its rugged beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. The park features miles of hiking trails, horseback riding trails, fishing areas, and white-water rafting on the Big South Fork River. The park is also home to a number of unique geological formations, including natural arches and sandstone cliffs.
One of the main points of interest in the park is the Twin Arches, a pair of natural arches formed by erosion and weathering. Visitors can hike to the arches along a moderate trail that offers stunning views of the surrounding area. Another popular spot is the Angel Falls Overlook, which provides panoramic views of the Big South Fork River and the surrounding mountains.
Interesting facts about the park include the fact that it covers over 125,000 acres and is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including black bears, bobcats, and bald eagles. The area is also steeped in history, with evidence of prehistoric Native American settlements and historic mining towns scattered throughout the park.
The best time of year to visit the park depends on the activities you plan to engage in. Spring and fall are popular times for hiking and exploring the park's many trails, while summer is a great time for water-based activities like rafting and swimming. Winter offers the opportunity for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, as well as wildlife viewing.
Overall, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area offers a unique and unforgettable experience for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
One of the main points of interest in the park is the Twin Arches, a pair of natural arches formed by erosion and weathering. Visitors can hike to the arches along a moderate trail that offers stunning views of the surrounding area. Another popular spot is the Angel Falls Overlook, which provides panoramic views of the Big South Fork River and the surrounding mountains.
Interesting facts about the park include the fact that it covers over 125,000 acres and is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including black bears, bobcats, and bald eagles. The area is also steeped in history, with evidence of prehistoric Native American settlements and historic mining towns scattered throughout the park.
The best time of year to visit the park depends on the activities you plan to engage in. Spring and fall are popular times for hiking and exploring the park's many trails, while summer is a great time for water-based activities like rafting and swimming. Winter offers the opportunity for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, as well as wildlife viewing.
Overall, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area offers a unique and unforgettable experience for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
StateTennessee
WatershedUpper Cumberland
Latitude36.3247°
Longitude-84.7868°
In the park
Streamflow in Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area
Live USGS discharge at streamgauges inside the park boundary.
In the park
Trails in Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area
Named trails whose route falls inside the park.
Big Island Loop
9.7 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Big Island Road
1.8 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Blue Heron Loop
6.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Bronco Overlook Trail
1.5 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Christian Cemetery Trail
2.0 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Collier Ridge Bike Loop
5.2 mi · Biking
Coyle Branch Trail Cumberland Valley Loop Trail
2.1 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Darrow Ridge Trail
1.5 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Duncan Hollow Bypass
2.1 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Duncan Hollow Trail
1.0 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
East Laurel Overlook Trail
0.2 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Evergreen Trail
0.8 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Fork Ridge Trail
3.0 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Gar Blevins Road
2.1 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Gobblers Knob Trail
5.0 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Grand Gap Loop
6.3 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Grooms Branch Trail Cumberland Valley Loop Trail
2.3 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Hatfield Ridge Trail
5.9 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Hippy Cave Trail
0.3 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Hurricane Ridge East Trail
1.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Jack's Ridge Loop
4.1 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
John Litton Farm Hike Loop
4.3 mi · Hiking, Running
John Muir Trail
26.6 mi · Hiking, Running
John Muir Trail
9.2 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
John Muir Trail
4.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Katie Trail
1.5 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Kentucky Trail
7.7 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Kentucky Trail
11.9 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Kentucky Trail
1.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Laurel Fork Creek Trail
9.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Leatherwood Loop Trail
2.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Leatherwood Overlook Spur
1.5 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Little Cliff Trail
1.5 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Longfield Branch Trail
1.0 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Middle Creek Nature Loop Trail
3.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Miller Branch Trail
1.6 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
North White Oak Loop Trail
14.3 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
O & W Road
5.4 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Oneida And Western Railroad
11.6 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Private South Fork Prop
0.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Private South Fork Prop
1.1 mi · Hiking, Running
River Trail
1.3 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Rock Creek Loop Trail
1.2 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
Rock House Ranch Private
1.4 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Saddle Valley Trail
0.6 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Salt Pine Ridge Trail
2.9 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Sawtooth Ridge Trail
1.8 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Sheltowee Trace Trail
22.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Slave Falls Loop Trail
3.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Slave Falls To Charit Creek Trail
2.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Split Bow Arch Trail
0.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Spruce Creek Loop
4.7 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Spruce Creek Trail
1.3 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Station Camp Creek Trail
4.4 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Tar Kiln Trail
3.8 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Trace Branch Road 6308
1.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Twin Arches Loop Trail
3.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Twin Arches Trail
0.8 mi · Hiking, Running
West Entrance Trail
2.1 mi · Hiking, Running
White Oak Overlook Trail
0.6 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
In the park
Camping in Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area
Campgrounds inside the park, with today's conditions score.
In the park
Points of interest in Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area
Landmarks and points of interest inside the park boundary.
Detailed forecast
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Hourly detail
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
Loading hourly forecast…
Deep dive
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
Long-term outlook
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Loading 15-day outlook…
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
FAQ
About Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area
What can I do at Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Land designation
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.