Blue Heron Campground

Campground · Tennessee · 45 bookable sites ·

Managed by the National Park Service

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (National River) · Open Access

45
Bookable sites
61 ft
Max rig length
up to 6
People per site
1
Accessible site
1,276 ft
Elevation
Picnic table sits on gravel tent pad with bathhouse in background
Photo: NPS · Recreation.gov

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.

The facts

  • 45 bookable sites
  • 1 accessible site
  • Vehicles up to 61 ft
  • Up to 6 people per site

Site types

  • 44 Standard Electric
  • 1 RV Electric

Amenities

  • Electric hookups
  • Water hookups
  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

45 campsites at Blue Heron Campground

Check-in 12:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeMax rigPeople
001—Standard ElectricBack InPavedSlight45 ft6 🐾
002—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate36 ft6 🐾
003—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate45 ft6 🐾
004—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate43 ft6 🐾
005—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate45 ft6 🐾
006—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate44 ft6 🐾
007—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate40 ft6 🐾
008—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate35 ft6 🐾
009—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate35 ft6 🐾
010—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate29 ft6 🐾
011—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate39 ft6 🐾
012—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate35 ft6 🐾
013—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate30 ft6 🐾
014—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate40 ft6 🐾
015—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate35 ft6 🐾
016—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate28 ft6 🐾
017—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate42 ft6 🐾
018—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate47 ft6 🐾
019—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate43 ft6 🐾
020—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate38 ft6 🐾
021—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate47 ft6 🐾
022—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate36 ft6 🐾
023—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate35 ft6 🐾
024—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate49 ft6 🐾
025—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate42 ft6 🐾
026—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate37 ft6 🐾
027—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate42 ft6 🐾
028—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate47 ft6 🐾
029—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate38 ft6♿ 🐾
030—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate29 ft6 🐾
031—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate44 ft6 🐾
032—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate32 ft6 🐾
033—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate32 ft6 🐾
034—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate47 ft6 🐾
035—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate43 ft6 🐾
036—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate44 ft6 🐾
037—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate45 ft6 🐾
038—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate45 ft6 🐾
039—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate61 ft6 🐾
040—Rv ElectricBack InPavedModerate44 ft6 🐾
041—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate56 ft6 🐾
042—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate30 ft6 🐾
043—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate50 ft6 🐾
044—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate48 ft6 🐾
045—Standard ElectricBack InPavedModerate44 ft6 🐾

Getting there

For detailed directions, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/directions.htm 

36.67806, -84.51889 · 36°40'41.0"N 84°31'8.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 45°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F454959697782858580695848
Low °F242633415159636254423227
Precip in4.84.55.24.75.55.36.13.73.63.33.85.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND
BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND

Member photos

Common questions about Blue Heron Campground

Can you reserve a site at Blue Heron Campground?
Yes, Blue Heron Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Blue Heron Campground have?
45 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Blue Heron Campground?
61 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Blue Heron Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Blue Heron Campground.
Does Blue Heron Campground have hookups?
Electric, Water.
Are campfires allowed at Blue Heron Campground?
Campfires are allowed at Blue Heron Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Blue Heron Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.