Photo: NPSPublic domainRecreation.gov
Blue Heron - Big South Fork National River Rec Area
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area · Stearns, KY
Verify with the state park system
State parks set their own rules and reservation systems. Fire bans, road closures, and operating dates change seasonally — check the state park website before traveling.
Official sources & verification
Managed by State Park
Reserve or permit
- Reserve a site
Book a site directly with the operator.
Managing agency
- Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area — official page
Park unit page with alerts and visitor information.
Verify by phone or mail
- Operator:(423) 286-7275
- Email:Tish_Neal@nps.gov
- Address:4564 LEATHERWOOD ROAD · Stearns, KY · 37841
Live availability
via Recreation.govAvailability is a recent snapshot, not a live hold — you always complete the booking on recreation.gov.
About
Reviews
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How busy it gets
Recreation.gov366 camper reviews on Recreation.gov
Usually has openings
15% booked
1,039 of 7,148 released site-nights were already reserved · Sep 2026 – Feb 2027 · busiest Sep 2026 at 76%
Sep
76%
Oct
44%
Nov
4%
Dec
0%
Jan
0%
Feb
0%
Share of nights Recreation.gov had released for online booking that were already reserved when we checked. Walk-up sites, closures, and nights outside the booking window are excluded.
Amenities
Cell reception
Camper reports · checked Sep 29, 2026Good Coverage
Average 2.7 of 4 bars · 299 reports across 3 carriers
Uninterrupted voice connection; consistent but possibly weak/slow data service; rare and/or very small drop-outs at site/facility. Signal may not show as full-strength across site/facility. Slower social media photo/video upload speeds.
Verizon
Good Coverage
2.8/4
145 reports
AT&T
Good Coverage
2.5/4
117 reports
T-Mobile
Good Coverage
2.8/4
37 reports
Reported by campers on Recreation.gov, not measured by us. Reception varies by handset, weather, and where you stand in the campground. Recreation.gov
Campground Rules
- Campfires generally permitted — verify current fire restrictions before lighting
Individual Sites (45)
Within ~30 miles
Trails near Blue Heron - Big South Fork National River Rec Area
Gorge Overlook Trail
Kentucky
Big Spring Falls via Kentucky Trail
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Catawba Overlook via Kentucky Trail
Kentucky
Blue Heron Loop Trail
Kentucky
Kroger Arch Addition
Kentucky
Koger Arch Trail
Kentucky
Hunt context
Hunting units around this campground
During hunting seasons, wear blaze orange and check regulations — see the Kentucky hunting page
