Hiking in Big South Fork is one of the most popular and rewarding activities within the park. Big South Fork has a large system of trails designed to take you away from your vehicle and into the very heart of park.
Within the trail system there are a full range of opportunities available, from a short easy hike along the Big South Fork River to long and strenuous multiple day hikes. There is even a section of the John Muir National Recreation Trail which passes through the park.
The information presented on the hiking trails in Tennessee and the hiking trails in Kentucky, only scratches the surface of what is available in Big South Fork. As you plan your hiking adventure in the park, please contact the staff at either of the visitor centers for complete and up-to-date information on these and other trails in the park. In addition, trail maps and guide books are available from .
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 implementing a new system of trailhead and trail markings.
Big South Fork has developed a new trail map depicting the authorized trail system as it currently exists on the ground which is available for download.