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Blue Heron Campground
NPSNational Park Service — ONEIDA · Tennessee · Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
| Agency | NPSNational Park Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area |
| Location | ONEIDA · Tennessee · Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area · 36.67806, -84.51889 · Map |
| Sites | 45 public sites counted from the federal listing — 44 standard electric; 1 rv electric |
| 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 45 of 45 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 45 of 45 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 45 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 45 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 | Longest reported site fits 61 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 45 sites · 30 ft: 42 sites · 35 ft: 38 sites · 40 ft: 27 sites |
| 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 45 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | Campground hostFlush toiletsPlayground |
| Phone | (423) 286-7275 |
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 2026-10-07.
From the official listing
Overview Blue Heron Campground is a rustic and spacious campground, situated on the Kentucky side of The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area--a vast and scenic expanse of land that offers visitors countless recreational activities. Recreation Numerous trails snake through the Recreation Area, offering mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding for visitors.
The main river of the Big South Fork is also a short drive away, offering fishing opportunities. Facilities Blue Heron Campground combines the experience of traditional woods camping with the modern convenience of flush toilets, hot showers and electric hookups. Sites can accommodate both RV and tent camping.
The campsites are spacious and provide picnic areas and plenty of shade. Natural Features The Big South Fork is located in north central Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky in some of the most rugged terrain of the Cumberland Plateau. The park encompasses approximately 125,000 acres of both rocky gorges and forested plateaus.
Numerous pristine streams unite with the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. Over thousands of years, this ceaselessly moving water has carved the sandstone of the plateau into impressive cliffs, arches and chimneys that are found throughout the park. Nearby Attractions Just a few miles from the campground 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.
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.
Additional attractions include the Daniel Boone National Forest and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, offering additional recreation opportunities.
Directions, from the listing
For detailed directions, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Nearest federal campgrounds
3 mi straight-line · Oneida TennesseeNPSNational Park ServiceBandy Creek
16 mi straight-line · ONEIDA TennesseeUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersObey River Park
37 mi straight-line · MONROE TennesseeNPSNational Park ServiceRock Creek Campground (TN)
43 mi straight-line · Wartburg TennesseeUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersLillydale Campground And Day Use
44 mi straight-line · ALLONS Tennessee
Trip Card — Blue Heron Campground
ONEIDA · Tennessee · Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
| Agency | NPS · National Park Service |
|---|---|
| Location | ONEIDA · Tennessee · Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 45 |
| Max RV | Up to 61 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 45 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232505 · 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.