PADDLING

Big South Fork

River Access Locations

Leatherwood Ford

From Bandy Creek Road turn (left) east onto Route 297, drive 1 mile to Leatherwood Ford. From Highway 27 in Oneida take TN Route 297 west ten miles to Leatherwood Ford.

Station Camp

From Bandy Creek Road turn (left) east onto Route 297 for approximately 8.5 miles to junction of 297 and Station Camp Road. Turn left onto Station Camp Road at Terry & Terry Store and drive 8.1 miles to river. From Highway 27 in Oneida take TN Route 297 west six miles to the Terry & Terry Store. Continue straight onto Station Camp Road at Terry & Terry Store and drive 8.1 miles to river.

Blue Heron / Mine 18

The Blue Heron site may be reached by taking Kentucky Route 742 west from Revelo, Kentucky. Coming from the north or south, take U.S. Highway 27 to Highway 92, turn left and follow Route 92 through Stearns to 1651, follow 1651 east to Revelo and turn right onto Highway 742. Blue Heron is located 9.5 miles down Kentucky Route 742.

Yamacraw Bridge

Yamacraw Bridge is on Kentucky Highway 92 north of Stearns, Kentucky, or 92 south from Monticello, Kentucky.

Worley

Take Highway 92, 1.8 miles west from Stearns, Kentucky to Highway 791. Take Highway 791 for approximately 1.4 miles. The road to Worley is a gravel road that drops off sharply to the right. Continue down this road approximately 0.9 miles to Worley. The road to Worley is often in poor condition and may not be suitable for some 2 wheel drive vehicles. Caution is advised.

Alum Ford

Alum Ford area may be reached by taking Kentucky Route 700 west from U.S. 27 at Marshes Siding. Follow Kentucky Route 700 approximately 5 miles to the ford.

Big Creek Ramp

US 27 N of Whitley City to Flat Rock; left on Roberts Road to lake. High clearance 4X4 vehicle recommended.

Turkey Creek Ramp

US 27 N of Whitley City to Parker's Lake; left on Ky 927

Website

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Big South Fork

The Big South Fork of the Cumberland River begins at the confluence of the New and Clear Rivers in Tennessee and continues for 76 miles through the rugged clifflines of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area offering world class fishing and one of the best whitewater experiences (Class III_IV Rapids) in the eastern U.S. The river joins Lake Cumberland near the Pulaski County line and features developed access points at Leatherwood Ford and Station Camp in Tennessee and Bear Creek, Blue Heron, Worley, Yamacraw, Alum Ford, Big Creek and Turkey Creek in Kentucky.

Visit nps.gov/biso for more information or download a guide to paddling the Big South Fork here.

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