Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

LOCATION
The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is located outside of Oneida, TN and includes parts of southern Kentucky. The area reviewed is on the western side of the Tennessee area of the park.

DIRECTIONS
I-40- exit the Jamestown-Crossville Exit onto U.S. 127. Take U.S. 127 north 36 miles into Jamestown. Two miles north of Jamestown, take Highway 154 north to the intersection of Highway 297. Follow 297 east approximately 12 miles to the Big South Fork Visitor Center and Campground.

DESCRIPTION
• Deep river gorge with the South Fork River flowing through it
• Laurels, hardwoods, hemlocks, and white pines
• 125,000 acres on the northern Cumberland Plateau
• High Bluffs

ACTIVITIES
• Hiking
• Backpacking
• Horseback riding
• Kayaking
• Rock climbing
• Fishing
• Mountain biking

ISSUES
• Horseback riders ride on hiking trails
• Access from the Eastside to the Westside of park is cumbersome

POSITIVES
• Beautiful overlooks
• Well maintained trails
• Large park offering solitude
• Friendly rangers
• Clean campsites and Restrooms

SYNOPSIS
I recently spent my 4th outing at the BSFNRRA. We hiked 3 days straight and enjoyed every trail. Our first day was to the Twin Arches and down to Charitt Creek Lodge. The arches are the largest in the southeast and the lodge is a hostel providing cabins and food. The second day we hiked the upper trail to the Angels Falls Overlook and down into the gorge. The trail was slippery and wet going into the gorge, but well worth it. The last day we hiked to Indian Cave and Hazard cave in the nearby Pickett State Park and stopped at Northrop Falls for a 1.5 mile easy hike on our way home.

LINKS
http://www.nps.gov/biso/index.htm
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/Pickett/
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/na/natareas/colditz/