National Park Service

Oneida, TN (2010-06-06) The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will host a day and evening programs during the month of June and throughout the summer in both the Tennessee and Kentucky areas of the park.  Park rangers and volunteers will present a wide variety of program topics at Bandy Creek Visitor Center, Bandy Creek Campground, Blue Heron Mining Community and Blue Heron Campground.  Evening programs typically are about one hour. On Saturday, June 12, 2010, the National Recreation Area will host four programs. At 10:00 a.m., join Park Ranger Brenda Deaver and relive the early days of education in the region.  “A rat in Tom’s house might eat Tom’s ice cream,” was the way to spell arithmetic and “George Elliot’s oldest girl rode a pony home yesterday” spelled geography.  Whether you remember the good old golden rule days or just want to learn about them, join Ranger Deaver for an hour of fun.  If you have photos or stories of your school days, bring them for show and tell.  The event will be held on the back porch of the Bandy Creek Visitor Center. At 2:00 p.m., learn about animals through the things that they leave behind.   Ranger Donna Tompkins will show you how to look at animals and find out what they eat where they live and who they are from their bones and teeth.  “Take a Bite Out of the Wild “ will be held on the Bandy Creek Visitor Center back porch. At 7:30 p.m., the Bandy Creek Campfire Circle will be the site of the  Big South Fork Scavenger Hunt.  Join Park Ranger Dustin Beaty for an exciting and fun filled scavenger hunt.  Please wear sturdy shoes, bring a flashlight and use an insect repellent.  Children need to be accompanied by an adult.  This activity will take approximately 1 ½ hours. Also at 7:30 p.m. in Kentucky, learn about the legends of Big South Fork .  Blue Heron Campground Ranger Sherry Fritschi will entertain you with some mysterious legends and colorful stories from the hills and hollows.  Could they be true?  Perhaps you can join in and share a tall tale of your own. In June, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will present interpretative programs every Saturday.

Oneida, TN (2010-06-04) The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will host a day and evening programs during the month of June and throughout the summer in both the Tennessee and Kentucky areas of the park.  Park rangers and volunteers will present a wide variety of program topics at Bandy Creek Visitor Center, Bandy Creek Campground, Blue Heron Mining Community and Blue Heron Campground.  Evening programs typically are about one hour. [ Read More ]

Oneida, TN (2010-05-25) The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will host a series of day and evening programs over the Memorial Day weekend. Park rangers will present a variety of program topics in both Tennessee and Kentucky.  The Tennessee programs will be held at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center. In Kentucky, programs will be at the Blue Heron Mining Community and Blue Heron Campground. May 29, 2010   Tracking Through the Wild! – 10:30 a.m. – Bandy Creek Visitor Center – Join Park Ranger Dustin Beaty at the visitor center as he talks about the various different tracks you may encounter while hiking the trails of the Big South Fork.  There will be a fun activity for children to enjoy. Wet and Wild! – 7:00 p.m. Bandy Creek Visitor Center – Join Ranger Brenda Deaver in the building next to the visitor center for an illustrated presentation about our creek critters.  Afterwards you are invited to join her at Leatherwood Ford for an opportunity to seine the river in search of these illusive creatures.  Wading clothes and shoes should be worn as we will get in the river. Owl Prowl – 8:00 p.m. – Blue Heron Campfire Circle – Owls are specially adapted predators of the night.  Take a walk with Park Ranger Sherry Fritschi and learn how to speak the owl’s language.  Bring a flashlight with you and spray down for insects before you go on this hike. Meet Ranger Fritschi at the Blue Heron Campground Campfire Circle. May 30, 2010   Life Underfoot – 11:00 a.m. – Bandy Creek Visitor Center – Ranger Bill Herman will meet on the back porch of the Visitor Center as he takes a closer look at life that occurs under our feet.  You will learn about some of the common but often overlooked, creepy crawlers that inhabit the forest floor. Totally Terrestrial Turtles – 2:00 p.m. – Bandy Creek Visitor Center – Join Park Ranger Jessica Moore on the back porch of the visitor center for a hands-on experience with the incredible, terrific and totally terrestrial Eastern Box Turtle. May 31, 2010   Sensational Snakes – 10:00 a.m. Bandy Creek Visitor Center – Join Park Ranger Sue Duncan with some special guests to learn some interesting facts and myths about snakes in the Big South Fork. For more information please call either Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275 or the Stearns Visitor Center at (606) 376-5073.  All programs are scheduled on Eastern Time.

Oneida, TN (2010-04-07) Spring is a wonderful time to ride your horse at Big South Fork.  Did you ever wonder what those flowers were blooming along the horse trail?    You are invited to join Park Ranger Sue Duncan on Saturday, April 17, 2010, and ride the trails in search of spring wildflowers.  Riders will meet at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time at the Bandy Creek Day Use Equestrian Trailhead, located near the entrance to Bandy Creek Campground. [ Read More ]

Oneida, TN (2010-03-23) During the next four to six weeks, National Park Service fire crews will be conducting a series of prescribed fires within Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.  The prescribed fires, as defined in the approved Fire Management Plan, will all be located within the boundaries of the park.  Plans call for burns varying in size from 83 to 519 acres to occur at locations in both Kentucky and Tennessee.  [ Read More ]

Oneida, TN (2010-03-15) Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will host the Tenth Annual Spring Planting Day Celebration on Saturday, April 24, 2010.  The event will take place in the areas adjacent to the Bandy Creek Visitor Center and the Lora Blevins home place from 9:00 a.m. EDT until 4:00 p.m. EDT. [ Read More ]

Oneida, TN (2010-02-09) A change in federal law effective February 22, 2010 allows people who can legally possess firearms under federal, Tennessee, Kentucky, and local law to possess those firearms in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. [ Read More ]

Wartburg, TN (2010-02-08) A landslide caused by recent, heavy rains has prompted Frozen Head State Park officials to close the Lookout Tower Trail as a matter of visitor safety.  [ Read More ]