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Alum Ford Campground
NPSNational Park Service — Whitley City · Kentucky · Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
| Agency | NPSNational Park Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area |
| Location | Whitley City · Kentucky · Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area · 36.76517, -84.54722 · Map |
| Sites | 6 public sites counted from the federal listing — 6 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 6 sites Water hookups at 0 of 6 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 6 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 6 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 12:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 6 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Amenities, as reported | Boat rampVault toilets |
| Phone | (423) 569-9778 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-03-11.
From the official listing
Overview Alum Ford Campground is located in the Kentucky portion of Big South Fork seven miles west of Whitley City, Kentucky at the end of Highway 700. The campground consists of six campsites each with picnic table and fire ring.
Recreation The campground is located adjacent to the Alum Ford Boat Launch, providing access for motorized and non-motorized watercraft to this remote section of the Big South Fork River where it becomes Lake Cumberland. The Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail also passes through the campground. The Sheltowee Trace is a 260-mile back country trail through Daniel Boone National Forest, Big South Fork NRRA, and Natural Bridge, Cumberland Falls, & Pickett State Parks in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Facilities Alum Ford Campground has six sites with tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings with grills, bear-proof garbage cans, and food storage lockers. A vault toilet facility is also available.
Natural Features This small campground sits above the Alum Ford Boat Ramp which provides access to the Big South Fork River.
Nearby Attractions The Big South Fork Scenic Railway Depot is located about 9 miles away in the town of Stearns, which offers train rides and other educational opportunities for campers. More information can be found online at https://bsfsry.com.
Just a few miles from Stearns is Blue Heron Mine, also known as Mine 18, a historic abandoned mining town that has been rebuilt as an outdoor museum. Visitors can hear audio presentations from actual people who lived in the community in the 1950s.
Additional attractions include the Daniel Boone National Forest and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, offering additional recreation opportunities.
Nearest federal campgrounds
16 mi straight-line · ONEIDA KentuckyUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersWaitsboro Campground
17 mi straight-line · SOMERSET KentuckyUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersMill Springs Mill Shelter
17 mi straight-line · Monticello KentuckyUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersFall Creek Campground
20 mi straight-line · Monticello KentuckyUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersLaurel River Lake Picnic Area
21 mi straight-line · London Kentucky
Trip Card — Alum Ford Campground
Whitley City · Kentucky · Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
| Agency | NPS · National Park Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Whitley City · Kentucky · Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 6 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10304520 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.