National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Big South Fork National River & Recreation AreaChimney Rock
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Park Statistics
 
Redbud in bloom
NPS
Redbud in bloom offers a splash of color in the spring.
 

Establishment
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area was authorized by Congress on March 7, 1974. At that time the park was the first unit in the National Park System to be designated as a National River and a National Recreation Area.

Acreage
Legislative boundaries for Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area allow for the protection of 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau. The park currently encompasses 114,492.13 acres.

Visitation

Year

Visitation

Year

Visitation

1995

892,322

2002

852,871

1996

855,877

2003

752,141

1997

858,378

2004

696,115

1998

856,475

2005

699,232

1999

860,222

2006

622,806

2000

864,190

2007

626,750

2001

915,194

2008

 

Economic Impact
Based on current visitation and using the Money Generation Model developed by Michigan State University, Big South Fork contributes over $10 million dollars yearly to local economies.

Annual Budget
$3.775 million base budget in Fiscal Year 2007.

Developed Campgrounds
Big South Fork contains 3 general campgrounds with 233 sites, 97 with water and electric hook-ups, 100 test sites and 36 sites in group camping. In addition there are 2 equestrian campgrounds having 49 sites with water, electric and stalls.

Backcountry Trails
129 miles of hiking trails, 156 miles of horse trails and 18 miles of mountain bike trails

Roads
121 total, 20 paved and 101 unpaved

Streams
244.13 miles of streams.

Personnel
Approximately 48 permanent and 12 seasonal employees.

Volunteers
167 volunteers donated 6,732 hours in Fiscal Year 2007.

National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass program will provide a number of pass options
more...
Big South Fork GMP Cover
Big South Fork General Management Plan
Completed in early 2005 the Final General Management Plan is now available to the public.
more...
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace
Minimize impacts during your visit to Big South Fork.
more...
Cumberland sandwort  

Did You Know?
Cumberland sandwort is one of several species of threatened and endangered plants found throughout Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Cumberland sandwort only grows in the dry sandy soils of certain rockshelters found in and around Big South Fork.

Last Updated: February 29, 2008 at 14:48 EST