BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND
Campground · Fee
Fast facts
- Cost
- $20.00
- Type
- Campground
- Sites
- 88 total · 43 reservable · 45 first come
- Reservations
- recreation.gov
- Phone
- (423) 286-7275
- Nearest dump station
- Cades Cove New Dump Station · 85.1 mi
- Coordinates
- 36.6781, -84.5189
- Last verified
- September 19, 2026
About this place
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.
From the managing agency.Official page
Is BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND free?
No. BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND charges $20.00. 43 of its sites are reservable through recreation.gov.
Can I bring an RV to BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND?
BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND has 88 sites on record. 43 sites are reservable and 45 are first come.
How do I get to BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND?
Exit I-75 onto HWY 92 at Williamsburg (Exit 11). (This road has been recently upgraded and provides a direct access to Stearns and Blue Heron) Turn right on 92 for approximately 20 miles. Continue at the 4-way stop light straight across 27 to HWY 1651. Watch for signs to Blue Heron. Turn left on Mine 18 Road (HWY 742). Mine 18 Road ends at Blue Heron Interpretive Center. The Blue Heron Campground will be on the right before you reach the end of the road.
What is the weather like at BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND?
The weather along the Cumberland Plateau can be best described as unpredictable. Each season brings its own weather patterns. Summers are generally hot and humid, with high temperatures sometimes eclipsing 90 degrees. The low temperatures in winter often dip below freezing. Spring sees the most amount of precipitation, but rainfall can occur in various amounts throughout the year.
What are the rules at BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND?
All food, food items (mustard, ketchup, etc), coolers (even if they are empty or have ice, water, pop, etc), must be kept in a vehicle or trailer with hard sides, except while preparing or eating it. Parking is allowed on the asphalt surface ONLY, not on the grass or gravel pads (gravel pads are for tents). Pets MUST be restrained on a leash AT ALL TIMES. QUIET HOURS ARE FROM 10:00 PM (ET) TO 6:00 AM (ET) Alcohol is prohibited in the Kentucky area of the Park. All grey water (dishes, shower, etc) must NEVER be dumped onto the ground. Bicycles may be ridden at night only if you have a light in the front and a red reflective marker on the back. Bicycles MUST stay on pavement or gravel while in the campground. Motorized vehicles not designated for on highway use (i.e. ATV’s, golf carts, etc) are prohibited on public roads including campground roads within the Big South Fork NRRA.
Nearby
SourceSource data is agency published. Last synced September 19, 2026. Community reports and photos are submitted by travelers and are not verified by the agency.
