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Big South Fork National River & Recreation AreaOld log cabin standing at the Oscar Blevins Farm
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Things To Do
 
Needle Arch is located along the Slave Falls Trail.
National Park Service
One of many in the park, Needle Arch is located along the hiking trail to Slave Falls.
 

What ever type of outdoor recreation you enjoy, chances are Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, has a place you can do it.  The hardest part of your visit may be deciding which trail, overlook, historic site, natural feature or program to try next!

Activities include:

Want to watch a sunset?  Do you get up early enough to enjoy a sunrise?  There are overlooks all along the Big South Fork River gorge where you can catch the suns first or last rays of the day.

Hiking on your agenda?  You can choose from any number of hikes ranging from a lazy stroll along the river to a multi-day hike through the backcountry.

Do you have a horse?  Big South Fork has miles of horse trails, stabling facilities and even two equestrian campgrounds.

During a trip to Big South Fork in the spring time you can find spectacular displays of wildflowers and native plants along many trails in the park.

Want to visit a company town and enter a coal mine?  Visit the Blue Heron Mining Community a coal mining town once owned by the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company.  You can even ride the Big South Fork Scenic Railway from Stearns into Blue Heron. 

Looking for something a little more extreme.  Try whitewater rafting the Big South Fork River, mountain biking through the backcountry or rock climbing on the miles of cliff lines throughout the park.

If you wish to work in the park, Big South Fork has an active volunteer program.  Join the team and aid in the preservation the parks natural and cultural resources, help campers as a campground host, or work to maintain the parks system of trails.  The opportunities abound!

Big South Fork Scenic Railway 
Big South Fork Scenic Railway
Ride the rails to Blue Heron links to Big South Fork Scenic Railway
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Coal tipple and rail cars at Blue Heron. 
Blue Heron Mining Community
This outdoor museum tells the story of life in a 1950's company coal town.
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Cabin located at Charit Creek Lodge 
Charit Creek Lodge
Charit Creek offers rustic backcountry lodgeing - link to Charit Creek website for more information.
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Clouds in the sky
Check the local weather
Get the latest NOAA forcast - links to the NOAA website
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Freshwater mussel found in Big South Fork River  

Did You Know?
Twelve of the nations 300 species of fresh water mussels are now extinct. Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area currently has 20 documented species, five of which are federally listed as endangered.
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Last Updated: July 24, 2006 at 22:37 EST