Big South Fork NRRA

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area spans 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau across Scott, Fentress, Morgan, and Pickett counties in Tennessee and the adjacent Kentucky section, a National Park Service unit built around the dramatic gorge of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. Unlike most NPS units that restrict OHV use, Big South Fork maintains 100+ miles of designated OHV roads and trails on the plateau surface above the gorge rim, specifically on the ridge-top terrain where the sandstone geology and former coal road infrastructure combine to produce genuine off-road driving opportunity without conflicting with the scenic river corridor that defines the park's protected character. ATVs, off-road motorcycles, and dune buggies are permitted on the designated OHV routes; the river gorge and adjacent sensitive areas are closed to motorized vehicles. There is no OHV permit fee or entrance fee for Big South Fork, one of the rare cases where major OHV access to a federally managed area is entirely free. Camping is available at the Bandy Creek Campground near the primary Tennessee access point outside Oneida. The Bandy Creek Visitor Center serves as the Tennessee staging hub and provides maps, condition information, and ranger contact. Kyle is the Kentucky access community. Season is year-round; trails may close temporarily after severe weather (423-569-9778).