THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
Big South Fork NRRA will leave open Blue Heron Campground, located in Kentucky this coming winter season. This pilot project will provide the park an opportunity to determine if there is sufficient winter demand to keep the campground open year-round.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is offering a 10-year concession contract for the Charit Creek Lodge. Through Oct. 20, the National Park Service is accepting business proposals to operate rustic lodging, food and beverage, alcoholic beverages, retail and stabling at Charit Creek Lodge.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) recently announced a new partnership with the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and three local NPS units to train the next generation of leaders in the fields of outdoor recreation and public land management.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area invites craft vendors, artisans and food vendors to take part in the Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival on Sept. 19. This annual signature special event celebrates the traditions, stories, music, arts, crafts and food of the Cumberland Plateau.
Official NPS sourceBrewster Bridge Road in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will temporarily close for repair and re-pavement beginning on Monday, June 29th. The road was heavily damaged from significant rain events in 2022 and 2023.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will celebrate the deeply rooted tradition of Decoration Day on the Cumberland Plateau with its sixth annual Cemetery Quest event. The event begins at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday, May 2 at Bandy Creek Visitor Center. Following a guided booklet, participants can visit cemeteries throughout the region in search of site-specific information.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will feature a full day of music, historic demonstrations and Appalachian traditions for the 26th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on April 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend. A free shuttle bus will run throughout the day for those who prefer not to walk between festival locations.
Official NPS sourceBrewster Bridge Road in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will be temporarily closed for repair and repavement from May to mid-summer. The road was heavily damaged during significant rain events in 2022 and 2023.
Official NPS source
On April 11, Big South Fork NRRA will host a river-based cleanup in partnership with Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning and East Tennessee Whitewater Club. The park will determine which section of stream to paddle based on river flow levels and other factors.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service will host an annual public science meeting at Historic Rugby Visitor Center, in Rugby, Tennessee. The public is invited to spend the day with scientists who have been conducting research at Obed Wild and Scenic River, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and other areas on the Cumberland Plateau.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services are proud to partner in hosting an official naturalization ceremony on Thursday, April 23, 2026, where 150 individuals will take the oath of citizenship.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service invites the public and seeks vendors for the 26th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 25 in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
Official NPS source
Every New Year’s Day the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area and the Big South Fork Bike Club invite all mountain bikers to ride the annual Big South Fork “Mail Run” event.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will be celebrating the participants of the GO BIG 2025 Challenge at the GO BIG Celebration on Saturday, December 6, at 10 AM (ET) at Bandy Creek Visitor Center.
Official NPS source
An endangered freshwater mussel species in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is showing signs of natural population increases for the first time. The tan riffleshell (Epioblasma walkeri) is an endangered mussel found in only a few locations within the Big South Fork of the Cumberland and the upper Clinch Rivers.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will present the 15th annual Blue Heron Ghost Mine on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Blue Heron Outdoor Museum. This free evening of live music starts at 5:00 PM ET with storytelling beginning at 7:00 PM ET beneath the historic coal tipple.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service report shows that 780,000 visitors to Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in 2024 spent $28.5 million in communities near the park. That spending supported the local area.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will host the 15th annual Blue Heron Ghost Mine on Saturday, October 18, 2025, celebrating Kentucky’s rich tradition of storytelling at the historic Blue Heron Mining Community.
Official NPS source
The 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival returns to the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area on Saturday, September 20, bringing with it a full day of stories, heritage, and music. From morning workshops to evening performances, music will be present throughout the festival grounds, offering opportunities for both participation and performance.
Official NPS source
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 20, as the 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival takes place from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (ET) at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center area of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
Official NPS source
On Saturday, September 20, the 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival will feature a variety of demonstrations and exhibits that celebrate the culture, history, and traditions of the Appalachian region. Festivalgoers will encounter Revolutionary Period Long Hunters sharing the ways of frontier life, HAM radio operators highlighting their role in community connection, a quilting display that showcases a longstanding tradition, and Black Bear Education offering unique insights, along with many other presentations throughout the day.
Official NPS source
On Saturday, September 20 at 8:00 AM (ET), visitors are invited to experience the rich natural beauty of Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau on a guided bird walk led by noted ornithologist Dr. Charles Nicholson. The walk begins at the Bandy Creek swimming pool in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and offers an easy, enjoyable outing for participants of all ages.
Official NPS source
Next week, the school districts in the six counties that surround Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will welcome a talented lineup of storytellers who will engage students through interactive performances that celebrate culture, history, and creativity.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service and the Back Country Horsemen of Big South Fork have partnered to replace 10 existing metal horse tie-stalls with pipe panel horse corrals at Station Camp Campground at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
Official NPS source
The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will host the Eleventh Annual Photo Contest reception on Friday, September 5 in the Bandy Creek Visitor Center, located at 151 Stable Road, Oneida. The festivities will begin at 5:00 PM (ET).
Official NPS source
Deer hunting season opens in Kentucky on September 6, and September 27, in Tennessee. During big game season, wild hogs may be harvested with the appropriate weapon that is legal for that specific season.
Official NPS source
Storytelling bridges cultures, sparks imagination, and preserves traditions. In Appalachia, it’s a living thread connecting generations and shared history. On Saturday, September 20, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (ET), Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will host the 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival at Bandy Creek Visitor Center area.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area invites you to mark your calendars for one of the region’s most cherished traditions, the 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival, happening Saturday, September 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (ET) at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center area.
Official NPS source
Are you a craftsperson, artisan, or food vendor looking for a great opportunity to share your work? We are currently seeking vendors to join the 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area!
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will be observing the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act on Monday, August 4, 2025, with 50 percent off backcountry camping permit fees.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area encompasses 125,000 acres of rugged terrain within the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Kentucky and north-central Tennessee.
Official NPS source
Students from McCreary Central High School, Scott County High School, and Oneida High School worked on a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) project in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
Official NPS source
Blue Heron, an integral part of the history of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is calling on surrounding communities to help preserve and showcase the region’s mining heritage.
Official NPS source
The superintendent has temporarily closed a gas well maintenance access road associated with a leaking well site near the Joe Branch area of Big South Fork NRRA.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will observe Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19, 2025, by offering a 50 percent discount on fees for use of the Bandy Creek Pool and for backcountry camping permits.
Official NPS source
Bandy Creek pool and wading pool will open for the 2025 season on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11:00 AM (ET). The hours of operation will be from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays through Labor Day.
Official NPS source
Beginning May 6, 2025, the National Park Service will initiate critical maintenance work on the Twin Arches Loop Trail in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. Trail crews will rehabilitate all wooden stairs and ladders along the route to improve safety and enhance the visitor experience.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area would like to experience your vision of the park. Use the park’s spectacular views in any season, historic sites, recreational opportunities, and diversity of life at Big South Fork and document your park as you see it. Images may show wildlife, plant life, natural landscapes, historic areas, weather, or people interacting with nature at the park. All photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared.
Official NPS sourceThere are currently business opportunities to provide food service at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in the Blue Heron, Kentucky area for this summer and fall. Opportunities include operation of the Blue Heron concession stand, food trucks, and food carts.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services are proud to partner in hosting an official naturalization ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2025, where 150 individuals will take the oath of citizenship.
Official NPS source
Music, heritage, and hands-on history come alive at this immersive Appalachian celebration for all ages.
Official NPS source
Step back in time and experience history in motion at the 25th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 26 at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will celebrate the deeply rooted tradition of Decoration Day on the Cumberland Plateau with its fifth annual Cemetery Quest event.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will observe National Park Week 2025 from Saturday, April 19 through Sunday, April 27. This annual celebration highlights everything that makes national parks special—natural beauty, cultural heritage, and opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is hosting the Southeast Conservation Corps Veterans Fire Crew during the 2025 Spring fire season. During the season, the seven-person all-veteran crew gained on-the-job training in hazardous fuel reduction and prescribed burn operations, as well as gaining various certifications in wildland firefighting.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will be hosting the 25th annual Spring Planting and Music Festival, set to take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Official NPS source
Mark your calendars for the 25th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is partnering with Knoxville Track Club to host the annual Oscar Blevins Trail Run event during the Spring Planting & Music Festival.
Official NPS sourceBig South Fork National River & Recreation Area officials announced a temporary ban on campfires in the park’s backcountry effective immediately. Due to dry weather conditions and the amount of fresh leaf litter on the ground, the potential for escaped fires to occur in the backcountry has greatly increased. The fire restriction will be in effect until further notice.
Official NPS source
During the spring months of 2025, fire crews will conduct a series of prescribed fires within Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. As priority, fire crews are now working on prepping these units to burn safely and effectively. The expectation is and will be to initiate the prescribed fire as soon as possible. Local communities can expect minimal smoke and visibility impacts. During the burns, some park roads and trails may be closed temporarily for visitor safety.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area would like to experience your vision of the park. Use the park’s spectacular views in any season, historic sites, recreational opportunities, and diversity of life at Big South Fork and document your park as you see it. Images may show wildlife, plant life, natural landscapes, historic areas, weather, or people interacting with nature at the park. All photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared. Of special interest this year are winter photographs of the park.
Official NPS source
On Monday, January 20, 2025, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day by authorizing a 50 percent discount on backcountry camping permits for one day.
Official NPS source
Every New Year’s Day the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area and the Big South Fork Bike Club invite all mountain bikers to ride the annual Big South Fork “Mail Run” event.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area recently repaired 16 miles of the Cumberland Valley Loop Horseback Riding Trail, located in the heart of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area trail system.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will be celebrating the participants of the GO BIG 2024 Challenge at the GO BIG Celebration on Saturday, December 7.
Official NPS source
The past comes to life once again at the 14th Annual Blue Heron Ghost Mine on Friday, October 18, 2024, in the heart of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. This free, family-friendly event invites visitors to explore a night of live music, storytelling, and immersive historical experiences in the old Blue Heron Mining Community. In this place, the echoes of history still linger.
Official NPS source
Flu season is almost here and on Wednesday, October 9, Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, in partnership with Walgreens of Oneida, are teaming up to provide an influenza (flu) shot clinic in the park.
Official NPS source
Sometime during the night of September 21, vandals destroyed a specialized viewfinder that helps color blind visitors see vibrant fall foliage in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
Official NPS source
Venture into the hollows of Big South Fork NRRA as we celebrate the time-honored tradition of storytelling in Kentucky during the 14th annual Blue Heron Ghost Mine on Friday, October 18, 2024.
Official NPS source
Get outdoors and take part in the celebration of National Public Lands Day with the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The park will be hosting a volunteer trails work day that day. All interested persons should report to the Leatherwood Ford Gazebo at 8:30 am ET that day.
Official NPS source
Mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable experience as the 32nd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival returns on Saturday, September 21, from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (ET) at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center area!
Official NPS source
Deer hunting season open in Kentucky on September 7 and opens in Tennessee on September 28. During these big game seasons, wild hogs may be harvested with the appropriate weapon that is legal for that specific season. There is also an extended hog hunting season that lasts from the end of the deer season until the end of February with a weapon that is approved by that state for harvesting big game.
Official NPS source
Road access to the Big South Fork’s scenic O&W Road was blocked by order of the State of Tennessee Department of Transportation this week. The Pine Creek Bridge was closed by the state because it was deemed unsafe. The closed bridge is the first bridge on O&W Road after the Toomey Road intersection. The closed bridge is outside of the boundary of the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
Official NPS source
Next week, the school districts in the six counties that surround Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will welcome a talented lineup of storytellers who will engage students through interactive performances that celebrate culture, history, and creativity.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service (NPS) has announced the winners of the 2024 Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area photo contest.
Official NPS source
Walgreens of Oneida will be set up at Big South Fork’s annual Storytelling Festival on Saturday, September 21 to provide flu shots to the public. They will be in the Bandy Creek area from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm ET. No appointments necessary.
Official NPS source
As part of the festivities for the 32nd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival on Saturday, September 21st, attendees are invited to immerse themselves in a series of captivating demonstrations deeply rooted in Appalachian culture and history.
Official NPS source
The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will host the tenth Annual Photo Contest reception on Friday, September 6 in the Bandy Creek Visitor Center, located at 151 Stable Road, Oneida. The festivities will begin at 5:00 PM (ET).
Official NPS source
Start the Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival with a special Birding Walk on September 21 at 8:00 am ET. Join ornithologist Dr. Charles Nicholson for a guided stroll through the tranquil woods, offering expert insights into local birdlife. Enjoy this peaceful beginning to the festival’s events.
Official NPS source
Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated 32nd annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival, set to unfold on Saturday, September 21, from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (ET) at Bandy Creek Visitor Center area.
Official NPS sourceExperience a day of immersive storytelling, stirring musical performances, vibrant craft displays; food options, and more at the 32nd annual "Haunting in the Hills" Storytelling Festival. This special event is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (ET) at Bandy Creek Visitor Center area.
Official NPS source
The superintendent has authorized the collection of firewood downed during recent storms at Big South Fork NRRA, along Divide Road and Fork Ridge Road during the months of August and September of 2024.
Official NPS sourceBig South Fork National River & Recreation Area will observe the fourth anniversary of the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act on Sunday, August 4, with 50% off fees at Bandy Creek Pool and backcountry camping permits
Official NPS source
Work crews at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area have cleared all roads and most trails of hazardous trees from the major weather event on May 26.
Official NPS source
Join us on Friday, October 18th at 8:00 pm ET for the 14th Annual Big South Fork Ghost Mine at the Blue Heron Outdoor Museum.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will celebrate the 32nd annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Traditional arts and crafts as well as food services will be included as part of the festival throughout the day. The park encourages all interested craft and food vendors to participate in this year’s festival.
Official NPS source
This year’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Team at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area has been busy painting multiple structures throughout the park.
Official NPS source
On June 22, two popular trails were greatly improved with the help of volunteers during Big South Fork’s annual National Trails Day event.
Official NPS source
Work crews continue to clear roads and trails of hazardous trees from the major weather event on May 26 at Big South Fork NRRA.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork to Reopen Some Roads and Trails as Storm Recovery Operations Continues, clearing roads and trails of hazardous trees from the major weather event on May 26.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will observe Juneteenth National Independence Day, or Juneteenth, on Wednesday, June 19, with 50 percent off fees at Bandy Creek Pool and backcountry camping permits as well as 50 percent off one night of camping at Alum Ford Campground.
Official NPS source
National Park Service work crews continue their work to clear roads and trails of numerous hazardous trees from the weather event on May 26. Due to safety concerns, several trails are temporarily closed to all pedestrian, bike, and horse traffic due to extensive tree damage.
Official NPS source
For the safety of both staff and volunteers, Big South Fork’s National Trails Day workday will be rescheduled from Saturday, June 1 to Saturday, June 22.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork NRRA continues to recover from the Sunday, May 26 weather event that produced dangerously high winds, and dropped almost two inches of rain, adding to the more than 10 inches of rain the area has received for the month
Official NPS source
Bandy Creek pool has opened for the 2024 season.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will celebrate the deeply rooted tradition of Decoration Day on the Cumberland Plateau with its third annual Cemetery Quest event.
Official NPS source
In celebration of the 24th Annual Spring Planting & Music Festival, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area announces a birding walk with Dr. Charles P. Nicholson on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Participants will meet at the Bandy Creek Campground swimming pool at 8:00 AM (ET).
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will be hosting the 24th annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Traditional arts and crafts as well as music will be included as part of the festival throughout the day.
Official NPS source
A diverse range of the region’s most talented live music acts are currently scheduled to perform during the 24th annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will observe National Park Week from Saturday, April 20-28. The nine-day event will kick off with free backcountry camping permits as well as one night of free camping at Alum Ford Campground on Saturday, April 20.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork NRRA invites non-profit organizations to participate in the 24th annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 27, 2024. This event provides an excellent opportunity for increased awareness and outreach for your organization.
Official NPS source
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area this year by camping at one of or all five campgrounds!
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area would like to experience how you capture the park through the lens of a camera! Use the park’s spectacular views in any season, historic sites, recreational opportunities, and diversity of life at Big South Fork and document your park as you see it.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will host the 24th annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 27, 2024. This festival celebrates the Appalachian way of life that has been an integral part of the history of the Big South Fork area.
Official NPS sourceOn the morning of March 29, 2024, visitors discovered, and reported a deceased individual in the water at Yahoo Falls, in the Kentucky area of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
Official NPS source
Applications are being accepted from youth in McCreary County in Kentucky and Fentress, Morgan, Scott Counties in Tennessee for the parks’ Youth Conservation Corps summer employment program until April 10, 2024.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is once again partnering with Knoxville Track Club to hold the annual Oscar Blevins Trail Run event during the annual Spring Planting & Music Festival on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service will partner to hold a naturalization ceremony for new United States citizens on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Bandy Creek Visitor Center. The public is invited to witness this stirring ceremony.
Official NPS source
During the spring months of 2024, fire crews will conduct a series of prescribed fires within Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. As priority, fire crews are now working on prepping these units to burn safely and effectively. The expectation is and will be to initiate the prescribed fire as soon as possible. Local communities can expect minimal smoke and visibility impacts. During the burns, some park roads and trails may be closed temporarily for visitor safety.
Official NPS source
On March 7, 2024, Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will recognize 50 years since its designation as a national river and recreation area. All year long, Big South Fork-area residents, businesses, and visitors will commemorate this special place on the upper Cumberland Plateau, and its significance as a unit of the National Park System.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork NRRA will receive $3,052,000 in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to mitigate abandoned mine drainage, close open mine portals, implement invasive plant management and control feral swine.
Official NPS source
Today, the National Park Service announced that 400 national parks reported a total of 325.5 million visits in 2023, an increase of 13 million or 4 percent over 2022. Big South Fork NRRA experienced continued high visitation in 2023.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service will host an annual public science meeting at Historic Rugby Visitor Center, in Rugby, Tennessee. The public is invited to spend the day with scientists who have been conducting research at Obed Wild and Scenic River, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and other areas on the Cumberland Plateau.
Official NPS source
Join us Saturday, March 16, as the National Park Service joins forces with Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning and East Tennessee Whitewater Club for a river-based cleanup at Big South Fork NRRA.
Official NPS source
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will host the 24th annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 27, 2024. This year, the park also celebrates its 50th anniversary, offering a special opportunity for vendors to showcase their traditional arts and crafts to a large, enthusiastic crowd.
Official NPS source