Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Want to give this 5 stars, because it was an awesome base for exploring Big South Fork. However, it is not staffed with a Camp Host, nor is there anyone at the entrance shack. My electrical post at Site 001 showed reverse polarity, so I had to move to site 004. 

Don't let that discourage you. Great campground.

We spent three nights mid July. It was hot. Hiked the devils dive overlook trail.

Very nice campground.  Some sites have walkways going to the fishing pond.  Overall clean restrooms and showers.

Campsites are spacious with gravel campsites and paved rv parking at campsites. Water and electric at each site. Clean bathrooms with showers.

Sites are level and pretty spacious, if not some a little tight together. My only complaint was that the restroom wasn’t marked on the map that I could see so I ended up being very far away from it. So more of an issue with recreation.gov than the campground itself. The restroom was nice and clean.

We camped here over the weekend with our dogs. The campground is actually not in Tennessee. It's located on the Kentucky side of Big South Fork. The campsites have a picnic table and a firepit. Our campsite was very nice and private with a big grassy area. The bathhouse was nice and clean. There are hiking trails nearby and access to a small mining village. We would definitely camp here again.

Nice campground! Electric and water. Site on the incline were tricky with a larger rig. Ours had room but other family rig was tight. The bearproof lockers on each site was a great addition. However, camp maintenance needs to be sure they are free of people's garbage. Family could not use theirs as it stunk badly. Quiet for it being full.

Nice secluded place! Very well kept. Facilities are clean and love that they recycle. Sites ate well spaced apart. Pretty level. Each site has lots of room to entertain or just sit out and enjoy the wilderness. Water, electric, firepit and picnic tables at each site as well. Not too many large site for big rigs, mostly TT in the park. There is a map of the park that has the sizes of each site, check it out. Have fun, we did! Road leaving Stearns is kinda windy and narrow but doable for lg. rigs, just take your time.

We were hear on Labor Day weekend and really enjoyed it. It is quiet and our site was relatively private. Cool stuff to do nearby, hiking, overlooks and old mining community. We stayed at site 13 it is near a small pond and was quiet. Sites 20,21 &22 looked even more secluded. Will be checking one of this out on our next visit.

Camp sites are well spread out. Most of the sites are well shaded. There are no outside lights after dark. RV pads are paved and each sites has fairly large gravel pad as well as grass areas. We did not have a chance to check out any of the trails but I think access to them was well outside of the actual camping area. No firewood available to purchase. Bring in all supplies. Gave this campground a 5 based on how quiet and secluded it is.

I think lots number 712 and 13 are the best because they are situated right around a beautiful pond with massive lily pads and dragonflies. It is about a 20 minute drive to a local store or a save a lot when we forgot some groceries. The trees are mature so there is plenty of shade and lofty space between each lot. We are on a paved site surrounded by gravel picnic table light post and fire ring also with a food storage bin to keep out the bears! It gets quiet! It gets dark! For $20, it is unbeatable. :-)

This was a hidden gem and there was nothing I could be critical of in this place. Clean, spacious sites, great facilities, clean bathrooms, close to world class hiking and remote natural beauty!

Simple and small campground in a beautiful area. The sites are great. Bathhouse is simple but clean. No laundry. Wi-fi is questionable.

Great access to hiking trails and scenic overlooks.

One of the best sites and campgrounds we’ve enjoyed.

We spent the last weekend of October at Blue Heron and can't wait to go back! This small campground is easily navigable even with our 40' 5th wheel in tow and provides spacious, private sites. Access is easy with no bad roads nor overhanging trees. There is fantastic hiking nearby and much peace and quiet to be enjoyed!

Big South Fork NRRA is definitely one of my favorite places in Tennessee. It stretches into Kentucky’s too. So much to do and see, and the hiking and camping is equal to the Smokies in my opinion, except there’s no crowds, no traffic, not many people! It’s great! There’s a few campgrounds in BSF, like Bandy Creek and Station Camp,and they are excellent spots, but the backcountry is where it’s at n the BSF! I have found so many excellent camp sites along the river and in the forest, and I’ve always been able to find one with plenty of privacy on any given weekend. There’s lots of hiking, 4-wheeling, fishing, swimming, mountain biking, horse riding, kayaking, rock climbing, etc here. The possibilities are endless! The sounds at night are so peaceful and relaxing, and the lightning bugs put on quite a show in the summer! I tried to make a video, I don’t think you can see them, but you can hear the woods at night!

Blue Heron Campground in Big South Fork National Park. Daniel Boone National Park is one of my favorite places to explore. Blue Heron CG is on the road to the VERY COOL mining village and the mining operation at the bottom of the hill. Blue Heron CG is small which makes it that much better. The showerhouse is not new but the whole place is very well maintained. There is an overlook and trail access nearby or you can drive down to the Historic mining operation with tipple and boat ramp as well as trailheads. Stearns, Ky is nearby and the historic railway that traverses the same area to the bottom of the hill through the village. So much to do in this area!

BIg South Fork is like a breath of fresh air . It's one of our favorite places . It doesn't which side you arrive on everything is full of beauty .

Big South Fork is a good place to stay anywhere in the park . It is truly a beautiful place . It is also great for family.

Something for everyone at this national park. Whitewater rafting, canoeing, and kayaking await in the big South Fork of the Cumberland River. There are miles of hiking and horse trails through the picturesque countryside. Take a steam train ride around the ridge tops, or wet your line in the streams. There is plenty to do here.

The bathhouse is clean and there are hookupsfor RVs and backcountry camping too.

Another wonderful area. Especially love camping and hiking here in the Autumn.

The campground has all of the glamping necessities. Water hook-up, electrical, dumping station, clean hot water showers, etc. It's pet friendly and the campground is very clean. The location is excellent for those who love rock climbing (sport and trad), easy and moderate level hiking, white water kayaking, or maybe want to spend a day or two also doing some backcountry camping. There are bears and other curious wildlife so make sure to keep your stuff in the provided bear boxes!

We stayed here while spending some time in the Big South Fork and other parts of the Daniel Boone National Forest. This relatively small 45 site campground can accommodate tents, campers and RVs and for only $17/night it's a steal! If camping in an RV, be sure to check out the facilities map because not all sites can fit large RVs. https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/upload/Blue-Heron-Campground-Map-and-Regs-2014.pdf

There are restrooms available (no showers) and trash receptacles. We managed to see a black bear, so be sure you secure your food appropriately to minimize human and bear encounters. The campground is only open April through November.

We spent some time exploring the Natural Arch Scenic area as well, a short 30 minute drive from the campground.

Quite secluded, yet a great launching point to hiking and biking trails of all difficulties. This visit was for running the Yamakraw 20K, and resulted in some astonishing views of Big South Fork River! Campsites were very large, with ample room between to allow for privacy, yet everyone is nesseled into an almost level area which makes setting up easy. Plenty of bear resistant containers for trash and food storage. Shower and bath house centrally located, clean and warm. Did not have any interaction with Park personnel, but locals in Sterns were very friendly and helpful. Will visit again!

You have to love the roads into the campgrounds at several of these parks. All I can say is tighten your seat belt and hold on. The entire Daniel Boone system has breath taking views and memorable areas. Heron was almost empty when I was there for the inaugural Yamacraw 50K. Even that early in the season though it was well maintained. Clean bath house and nice, well spaced hookups. The trail, oh my! I LOVE this area. If you can do the park from top to bottom you will not be disappointed by the views, waterfalls, rock formations and varied terrain.