Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Program is worth 5 GO BIG points. To learn more about the GO BIG Challenge, visit Big South Fork GO BIG Challenge - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)

Pack your lunch and join a park ranger at the Leatherwood Ford Gazebo for a Healthy History Hike to O&W Bridge on Saturday, March 14 at 11 AM ET, and learn about the origins of some of these communities along the O&W rail line. The O&W Trail is a 4.6 roundtrip hike on reletively flat terrain to the historic O&W bridge.

Worth 9 GO BIG Points. To learn more about the GO BIG 2026 Challenge, go to Big South Fork GO BIG Challenge - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service).

On Saturday March 21st anytime between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM ET, come hike the Oscar Blevins Trail and visit with one of our rangers for a “Time on the Trail” program. A park ranger will be available on the front porch of the Oscar Blevins house telling the story of one of the first European families to live in the area.

Have you ever been caught on the trail unprepared and needing something you wish you had? Pull up a rocking chair at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center and join a ranger for a short program on hiking safety, trip planning and the 10 essential items to carry when hiking the backcountry. 

The program is worth 5 points for the GO BIG Challenge 2026! Big South Fork GO BIG Challenge - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Come stitch together a little piece of history at the Crossville Visitor Center!

Worth 5 GO BIG Points. To learn more about the GO BIG 2026 Challenge, go to Big South Fork GO BIG Challenge - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)

Step back in time at the 26th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival as crafters demonstrate traditional skills you don’t see every day, like blacksmithing, basket-making, hand-spinning, weaving, woodcarving, and even herbal garden traditions and paling fence-building.

You’ll also find plenty to do throughout the day, including:

• Children’s activities
• Interpretive talks
• Bird watching
• Vendors demonstrating and selling handmade goods
• Food for purchase

Explore displays that bring the past to life, including women’s daily life, antique farm tools, farm animals, and old-time toys, fun for kids and nostalgic for adults.

Local musicians perform traditional mountain music throughout the area by various groups such as the Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club.

Don’t miss a visitor favorite: plowing and planting using mules and horses at the Lora Blevins Farmstead. Additional demonstrations will take place at the Oscar Blevins Farmstead.

The event will feature a diverse lineup rooted in regional tradition, including the uplifting gospel sounds of Crossroads, bluegrass and country from the Dry Creek Ramblers, and the Americana blend of Crazy Chester. Gerald Hanright brings a dynamic mix of blues, jazz, and classic rock, while the Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club showcases traditional string music. Appalachian music and storytelling will also be represented by Jordan Hughett at the Interpretation & Education building from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, adding to a rich and memorable experience.

Join a park ranger at the Blue Heron Gorge Overlook parking lot on Saturday, May 16 at 6:30 PM ET for a Healthy Hike to the Overlook. Enjoy a leisurely 2.6-mile roundtrip evening hike to the overlook while discovering the unique opportunities that come alive after dark at Big South Fork.

Worth 7 GO BIG Points. To learn more about the GO BIG 2026 Challenge, go to Big South Fork GO BIG Challenge - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service).

Step back in time and discover life in a mining camp! Join a ranger at the Blue Heron Interpretive Center in Kentucky for a 20-minute talk on the coal mining operations and daily life at Mine 18. Learn how miners worked and how families lived in this isolated community. This program is offered Friday and Saturday at 12:00 PM and Sunday at 3:00 PM ET. On Memorial Day, the program will be at 12:00 PM.

Program is worth 5 GO BIG points. To learn more about the GO BIG Challenge, visit Big South Fork GO BIG Challenge - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)

Saturday at 12:45 PM and 3:30 PM ET, join park staff at the Blue Heron Interpretive Center for hands-on Appalachian rag doll demonstrations.

Program is worth 5 GO BIG points. To learn more about the GO BIG Challenge, visit Big South Fork GO BIG Challenge - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)