Visitor Centers

Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is open year round. Some facilities close during the winter, however. To get the most out of your visit, start at one of the park's visitor centers to chat with a ranger, pick up publications, purchase a gift at the Eastern National outlets, and find out about scheduled programs, and special events.

 

TENNESSEE

 

Headquarters Building

HEADQUARTERS BUILDING

Location: Oneida, three miles past park entrance on Leatherwood Road.

Address

4564 Leatherwood Road

Oneida, TN 37841

Facilities

Ask a ranger what to do in the park. Free public Wi Fi.

Phone

[phone]

Hours

Open Monday through Friday

8:00 am-4:30 pm ET

 

---

 

Bandy Creek Visitor Center

BANDY CREEK VISITOR CENTER

Location: Adjacent to Bandy Creek Campground; approximately 15 miles west of Oneida and 24 miles east of Jamestown, off Highway 297.

Address
151 Stable Road
Oneida, TN 37841

Exhibits
Focus on the recreational opportunities found within Big South Fork and throughout the seven surrounding counties.

Facilities & Activities
Ask a ranger what to do in the park. free public Wi Fi; bookstore; park permits; restrooms; vending machines, and ice sales.

Get your National Parks Passport stamped while you are here!

Phone
[phone]

Hours
Open year-round, from 9:00 am-5:00 pm (ET)
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

 

---

 

Crossville Visitor Center

CROSSVILLE VISITOR CENTER

Location: Crossville, just off Exit 320, on I-40, across from Stone Memorial High School.

Address
176 River Otter Drive
Crossville, TN 38571

Facilities

Ask a ranger what to do in the park; restrooms.

Phone

[phone]

Hours

Open 7 Days a Week

9:00 am-5:00 pm CT

 

---

 

RUGBY VISITOR CONTACT STATION

Location: Rugby, off Highway 52, approximately 17 miles east of Jamestown, Tennessee.

Address

1331 Rugby Parkway

Rugby, TN 37733

Facilities & Activities

Ask a ranger what to do in the park; free public WiFi; restrooms; park permits.

Phone

[phone]

Hours

Open Thursday through Sunday from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.
Thursday-Saturday 9:00 am -5:00 pm ET
Sundays 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET

 

---

 

Helenwood Visitor Center

HELENWOOD VISITOR CENTER

Location: Helenwood, off Highway 27, approximately fifteen miles from the park entrance.

Address

12025 Scott Highway

Helenwood, TN 37755

Facilities & Activities

Ask a ranger what to do in the park; free public Wi Fi; restrooms.

Phone

[phone]

Hours

Open 7 Days a Week.
9:00 am-5:00 pm ET

 

KENTUCKY

 

Blue Heron Interpretive Center

BLUE HERON INTERPRETIVE CENTER

Location: Located via Highways 1651 and 742.

Address
8249 Mine 18 Road
Strunk, Kentucky
Coordinates
36.671601, -84.547707

Directions to Blue Heron from Stearns Kentucky:
1. Head south on State Hwy 1651 toward Bridge St
2. Turn right onto KY-92 W/State Hwy 1651
3. Turn left onto State Hwy 1651
4. Turn right onto Ky-741
5. Turn right onto State Hwy 742
6. Continue 6 miles onto Blue Heron Rd
Total time: 20 minutes
Total Distance: 9 miles

Exhibits
The Blue Heron Mining Community can be visited at any time to view historic structures and listen to audio programs.

Facilities & Activities
Ask a park ranger what to do in the park; free public WiFi; bookstore; park permits; restrooms; vending machines, and concession stand.

Railroad Ride
The Big South Fork Scenic Railway travels from the Stearns Depot to the Blue Heron Mining Community in a 45-minute trip. The train remains approximately one hour at Blue Heron before returning to Stearns. For tickets and information: https://bsfsry.com.

Phone
Ranger Office: [phone]
Blue Heron Bookstore: [phone]

Hours
The outdoor museum area is open year-round.

Blue Heron Interpretive Center and Bookstore
Open Memorial Day weekend through October 31
Wednesday-Sunday 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM (ET)

 

---

 

STEARNS VISITOR CONTACT STATION

Location: Stearns, approximately 0.25 of a mile west of Highway 27, just off Highway 92. Also located three miles south of Whitley City, and 18 miles north of Oneida, Tennessee.

Address
300 Wilburn K. Ross Highway
Stearns, KY 42467

Facilities
Ask a ranger what to do in the park; restrooms; park permits.

Phone
[phone]