Looking for an epic road trip packed with towering sandstone cliffs, massive natural arches, hidden waterfalls, and some seriously cool history?
The Big South Fork region, stretching across Tennessee and Kentucky, has all that and more, with winding mountain roads, deep river gorges, historic coal mining towns, and hiking trails that lead to some pretty incredible surprises.
You can walk beneath enormous rock formations, peer down at rushing whitewater rapids, explore abandoned settlements, and even take a scenic train ride through the mountains.
Many of these incredible spots are just a short drive from each other, making it easy to pack tons of adventure into one unforgettable trip.
This Big South Fork road trip takes you to some of the region’s most impressive sights, with plenty of scenic stops, fun hikes, and unexpected discoveries along the way!
1. Historic Rugby (Tennessee)
Historic Rugby is a charming 1880s Victorian village on Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, near the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
It was founded in 1880 by British author Thomas Hughes as a planned community where English settlers could build a new life in America.
Today, you can explore beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings, including the 1882 Thomas Hughes Free Public Library, which holds more than 7,000 books.
You can also visit the 1887 Christ Church Episcopal, famous for its beautiful wooden interior and stained-glass windows.
Stop by the Rugby Visitor Centre to join a guided walking tour, explore the historic schoolhouse, and learn why this ambitious English settlement never quite became the thriving town Hughes imagined.
For extra adventure, hike the nearby Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole Trail to the Clear Fork River, where Rugby’s original settlers once cooled off during Tennessee’s hot summers.
2. Leatherwood Ford (Tennessee)
After exploring Historic Rugby, head to Leatherwood Ford, one of the easiest places to reach the Big South Fork River, located along Highway 297 in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, about 40 minutes from Rugby.
The road winds down into a deep sandstone gorge, where a bridge crosses the river and gives you incredible views of towering cliffs, massive boulders, and the rushing water below.
Park near the bridge and enjoy a short walk along the riverbank, or follow the easy, 2-mile one-way Angel Falls Rapid Trail for beautiful river views, dramatic rock formations, sandy beaches, and peaceful fishing spots.
If you’re up for more adventure, Leatherwood Ford is also a popular launch point for kayaking and whitewater rafting, with exciting rapids along the Big South Fork River.
3. Bandy Creek Campground (Tennessee)
Leaving Leatherwood Ford, drive about 5 minutes to Bandy Creek Campground, on the Tennessee side of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, where you can spend the night surrounded by hardwood forests and miles of hiking trails.
This large campground has over 180 campsites for tents and RVs, with picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, hot showers, and electric hookups at select sites.
During warmer months, you can cool off in the seasonal swimming pool, enjoy a picnic, or stop by the nearby Bandy Creek Visitor Center to grab trail maps and learn about the park’s wildlife.
If you’ve still got energy to burn, check out the nearby 1.3-mile Bandy Creek Loop Trail, an easy forest walk that’s perfect for stretching your legs before settling in for a campfire under the stars.
4. Twin Arches, Oneida (Tennessee)
From Bandy Creek Campground, make your way to Twin Arches near Oneida, where two enormous natural sandstone arches stand together along a narrow ridge in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
The North Arch rises 62 feet high and spans 93 feet, while the South Arch towers 103 feet high and spans 135 feet, making this one of the largest natural arch formations in the eastern United States.
You can reach both arches on the 1.4-mile round-trip Twin Arches Trail, which takes you through a beautiful forest filled with massive boulders, sandstone cliffs, and steep wooden staircases.
For a longer adventure, follow the 4.6-mile Twin Arches and Charit Creek Lodge Loop, which passes historic cabins and an old backcountry lodge dating back to the early 1800s.
5. Blue Heron Mining Community (Kentucky)
Next, cross into Kentucky and head to Blue Heron Mining Community, also known as Mine 18, a former coal mining town along the Big South Fork River near Stearns.
This fascinating outdoor museum brings the 1930s to 1960s mining era back to life with metal-frame structures marking the original locations of miners’ homes, a school, a church, and a company store.
Walk through the recreated coal tipple, visit the reconstructed entrance to Mine 18, and listen to audio recordings of former residents sharing stories about daily life in this remote Appalachian community.
For an unforgettable view, follow the short but steep paved trail to Blue Heron Overlook, where you can look down at the historic coal tipple and the dramatic Big South Fork River gorge.
6. Devils Jump Overlook (Kentucky)
Continue to Devils Jump Overlook near Stearns, Kentucky, for one of the most dramatic river views in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
This scenic viewpoint sits high above the Big South Fork River, overlooking Devils Jump, a powerful Class IV rapid where whitewater crashes over sandstone rocks as the river squeezes through a narrow section of the gorge.
You can reach the overlook via an easy, paved trail of approximately 0.2 miles round-trip from the dedicated parking area.
Bring your camera because the overlook offers fantastic views of the river twisting between towering sandstone cliffs, especially during fall when the surrounding hardwood forests turn brilliant shades of orange, red, and gold.
7. Big South Fork Scenic Railway (Kentucky)
Head to downtown Stearns, Kentucky, and swap your hiking boots for a train ride aboard the Big South Fork Scenic Railway, a historic railroad that winds through the mountains of southern Kentucky.
This scenic round-trip journey takes about three hours, following old logging and coal mining tracks through thick forests, past sandstone cliffs, and along the beautiful Big South Fork River valley.
Along the way, you’ll descend roughly 600 feet into the gorge before stopping at Blue Heron Mining Community, where you can explore the former coal mining settlement and learn about life underground.
The railway traditionally offers seasonal excursions, including fall foliage trips and special holiday-themed rides, so check the schedule and book your tickets ahead of time, especially if you’re visiting during the busy fall foliage season.
8. Yahoo Falls (Kentucky)
To wrap up your Big South Fork road trip, drive from Stearns to Yahoo Falls near Whitley City, Kentucky, where a stunning 113-foot waterfall drops over a massive sandstone cliff, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in the state.
The 1-mile Yahoo Falls Loop Trail takes you through a hardwood forest, down steep metal staircases, and behind the waterfall into a huge sandstone rock shelter that once provided cover for Native Americans.
For an extra adventure, follow the longer Yahoo Falls to Yahoo Arch Trail, where you’ll discover a natural sandstone arch hidden among towering rock walls and thick forest.
The waterfall is especially impressive after heavy rain, so bring your camera, wear shoes with good grip, and enjoy one last incredible sight before heading home!
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