Big South Fork Area - Camp, Hike, and Swim near Helenwood, Tennessee
Helenwood,Kentucky
36.387804376474925, -84.62901649992237
5.5 miles SW of Helenwood, Tennessee
GPS: 36°23'16.1"N 84°37'44.5"W
Maps | Directions
State: Kentucky

Restrooms Picnic Tables Rivers Trails Fishing National Park

Camp, Hike, and Swim

Big South Fork is a National Recreation Area that straddles the boarder between Kentucky and Tennessee. This large park provides miles of trails, forests and riverfront making it the perfect place to spend the day exploring. With several swimming holes, hiking trails and campgrounds there is no limit to what you can discover here. 

A trail list and map can be found at any of the visitors centers, that also shows how to get to the designated swimming holes. Burnt Mill Bridge, Gentleman's Swimming Hole, Brewster Bridge, Leatherwood Ford, O and W Hole, and Station Camp are the most accessible swimming holes to see out while you are there. 

Big South Fork has five established campgrounds available, some with more amenities and full RV hook-ups and others as established primitive sights. There are campsites here to perfectly fit any styles of camping. 

4.2K Edited by tasiawhicker

Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

Read More
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Helenwood, Tennessee

  1. Head east on Keeton Ln toward Helenwood Loop Rd (46 ft)
  2. Continue onto Helenwood Detour Rd (259 ft)
  3. Continue onto Main St (0.3 mi)
  4. Turn right onto US-27 S (4.4 mi)
  5. Turn right onto Old US Hwy 27 (1.4 mi)
  6. Turn right toward Mountain View Rd (171 ft)
  7. Turn left onto Mountain View Rd (2.3 mi)
  8. Turn right onto W Robbins Rd (210 ft)
  9. Continue onto Al Martin Rd (0.5 mi)
  10. Turn left onto Honey Creek Loop Rd
    Destination will be on the left
    (0.4 mi)
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Big South Fork Gentlemen's Swimming Hole featuring by ExploreTRV / Tennessee River Valley Geotourism
Swimming Safety With Ranger Tracy & Ranger Leo by Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area Swimming Safety With Ranger Yusuf & Ranger Justine by Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area  by Megatherium Club

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