Facility Details - BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND, KY

Overview

Blue Heron Campground is a rustic and spacious campground, situated on the Kentucky side of The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area--a vast and scenic expanse of land that offers visitors countless recreational activities.

Natural Features:

The Big South Fork is located in north central Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky in some of the most rugged terrain of the Cumberland Plateau. The park encompasses approximately 125,000 acres of both rocky gorges and forested plateaus.

Numerous pristine streams unite with the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. Over thousands of years, this ceaselessly moving water has carved the sandstone of the plateau into impressive cliffs, arches and chimneys that are found throughout the park.

Recreation:

Numerous trails snake through the Recreation Area, offering mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding for visitors.

The main river of the Big South Fork is also a short drive away, offering fishing opportunities.

Facilities:

Blue Heron Campground combines the experience of traditional woods camping with the modern convenience of flush toilets, hot showers and electric hookups. Sites can accommodate both RV and tent camping.

The campsites are spacious and provide picnic areas and plenty of shade.

Nearby Attractions:

Just a few miles from the campground is Blue Heron Mine, also known as Mine 18, a historic abandoned mining town that has been rebuilt as an outdoor museum. Visitors can hear audio presentations from actual people who lived in the community in the 1950s.

The Stearns Depot Visitors Center is located about 9 miles away in the Big South Fork Scenic Railway Depot, which offers train rides and other educational opportunities for campers.

Additional attractions include the Daniel Boone National Forest and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, offering additional recreation opportunities.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Accessible Sites Dump Station Fire Rings Fishing Flush Toilets	Hiking Hot Showers Playground Trails

Know Before You Go

Black bears and other wildlife frequent the area; visitors must follow food and garbage storage regulations
This is a hazardous tree area and branches may fall at any time; use caution when selecting a place to camp
Check in at the kiosk or with the campground host upon arrival
A Tennessee or Kentucky fishing license is required to fish in the main river of the Big South Fork
Firewood must be purchased and/or collected from the local vicinity; to learn more visit this website

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
36.67806, -84.51889
36°40'41"N, 84°31'8"W

From 1-75 Northbound, take exit 141 for Oneida/Huntsville and turn left. Follow Highway 63 to the intersection of US-27 in Huntsville. Turn right and continue north on US-27 through Oneida for 18 miles. Turn onto KY-92 West and travel approximately 1.3 miles. Bear left onto Highway 1651. Travel about .5 miles then turn right onto KY-741. This road is narrow, and if you have a big rig it is suggested that you continue on 1651 for another three-quarter miles and turn a sharp right onto KY-742. From KY-741 or KY-742 follow the brown park signs.

From I-75 Southbound, take exit 62 at Mt. Vernon and turn right onto Highway 461. Travel about 19 miles, then take Highway 80 westward to the Highway 914 bypass. Follow Highway 914 for 6 miles to the intersection of US-27. Turn left onto US-27 and travel south approximately 31 miles. Turn right onto KY-92 and continue west for approximately 1.3 miles. Bear left onto Hwy 1651, and after a half-mile turn right onto KY-741. This road is narrow, and if you have a big rig it is suggested that you continue on 1651 for another three-quarter miles and turn a sharp right onto KY-742. From KY-741 or KY-742 follow the brown park signs.