Numerous brochures and publications are available at the park visitor centers to help you plan a safe and enjoyable visit to the Big South Fork and the Cumberland Plateau.
Many of these same brochures and publications are also available on-line for downloading as PDF files which will print out on 81/2 x 11 inch paper.
General Information:
Park Brochure - Traditional National Park Service brochure produced by the Harpers Ferry Center for parks. Contains general information for visiting Big South Fork and a map of the park showing major routes and features.
General Access Routes (4,500 kb) - Map of the park and vicinity showing access routes from both I-75 and I-40.
Recreational Information:
A Guide to Paddling in the Big South Fork (415 kb) - Provides information on river safety, recommended river levels and ratings for various sections of the river and directions to river access points.
A Guide to the Blue Heron Community (4,841 kb) - This guide provides additional information for your visit to Blue Heron. Images may appear pixilated on screen, but will print nicely.
(267 kb) - This brochure discusses Black bear behavior, biology and provides information on proper food storage methods.
Birds of Big South Fork (405 kb) - This brochure, compiled by ornithologist Dr. Stephen Stedman provides a comprehensive checklist of birds seen within Big South Fork.
Game Fish of Big South Fork Area (300 kb) - Provides information on fishing regulations for Big South Fork. Also includes information on the most popular game fish including favored locations and pictures.
Geology and History of the Cumberland Plateau (321 kb) - This brochure discusses both the geologic and human history of the Cumberland Plateau.
Hiking Trails from Leatherwood Ford Trailhead (102 kb) - Provides descriptions of the hiking trails running out from the Leatherwood Ford Trailhead. Also includes a shaded relief map showing those trails.
(386 kb) - This adaptation of our Junior Ranger Program was designed for children 4 to 12 years of age to help them learn about the National Park Service, the Big South Fork, and have fun too! You will need to explore the Big South Fork website, visit another park's website, do a little drawing and answer some questions. When you are finished, just mail the booklet to the park headquarters and receive a badge, a patch and a certificate.
Mountain Bike Riding (107 kb) - Provides descriptions of the mountain bike trails in the Bandy Creek area. Also includes a shaded relief map of those trails.
Horseback Riding (73 kb) - Provides a brief description of horse trail system and lists facilities within Big South Fork which are available to riders.
Hunting Guide 2007 (164 kb) - Provides information for hunting in Big South Fork including information on safety/no hunting zones and special park regulations.
Sandstone Arches (97 kb) - Provides information on various arches through the area which may be easily reached by car or trail. Also includes in depth discussion of the Twin Arches and it's associated hiking trail.
Trailhead Signs and Trail Blazes (188 kb) - In an effort to make the trail system more user friendly for the wide variety of users at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area the park is formulating a new system of trailhead and trail markings. This new system will consist of both graphic symbols and color coded blazes to indicate the types of use authorized for a particular trail.
Wildflowers of Big South Fork (342 kb) - This brochure is a listing of some of the more common wildflowers found in Big South Fork arranged by their normal blooming times.
