Trip/Event Location: Oneida, TNUS
Trip Leader(s):
Max # People: 12
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: Yes, but only to cover shared expenses, and I too am paying
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Experience autumn with a visit to Tennessee's Upper Cumberland Region. Stay and hike in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area & visit the historic British village of Rugby, TN.
West bound 1-40 exit the Jamestown-Crossville Exit onto U.S. 127. Take U.S. 127 north 36 miles into Jamestown. Two miles north of Jamestown, take Highway 154 north to the intersection of Highway 297. Follow 297 east approximately 12 miles to the Big South Fork Visitor Center and Campground.
East bound 1-40 exit either the Monterey-Livingston Exit (300-A) or the Jamestown Crossville Exit (301), onto State Highway 62. Take Highway 62 east for 16 miles to U.S. 127 to Clarkrange, turn left and follow U.S. 127 north 18 miles into Jamestown. Travelers may take 127 through Jamestown or use the new Hwy 127 by-pass. Two miles north of Jamestown take Highway 154 north to the intersection of Highway 297. Follow 297 east approximately 12 miles to the Big South Fork Visitor Center and Campground.
North bound 1-75 exit at Highway 63, the Oneida-Huntsville Exit (141). Follow Highway 63 west for 21 miles through Huntsville to U.S. 27. Turn right on U.S. 27 and drive north 7 miles to Oneida. At the first traffic light, turn left on Highway 297 west and follow 297 approximately 15 miles to reach the Bandy Creek Visitor Center and Campground.
To reach the Stearns Depot Visitor Center in Kentucky, continue north on U.S. 27 through Oneida to KY 92W. Turn left at the traffic light and drive for 1 mile, after crossing the bridge turn right and follow the signs to the Stearns Depot Visitor Center. To reach Blue Heron Campground, turn off U.S. 27 and drive west on KY 92W, travel for approx. 1.3 miles, then bear left onto highway 1651. Travel about a one mile then turn right onto KY 742. From 742 follow the brown park signs to the Blue Heron Campground, Bear Creek Horse Camp, the river gorge overlooks, or the Blue Heron Coal Mining Community.
South bound 1-75 exit Highway 461 at Mt. Vernon (Exit 62) and take 461 south for 19 miles to Highway 80 and take Highway 80 west into Somerset, Kentucky to the Highway 914 by-pass. Follow 914 for 6 miles to U.S. 27. Follow 27 south approximately 25 miles to KY 92W for the Stearns Depot Visitor Center. To reach Bandy Creek, continue on Highway 27 about 15 miles into Oneida, Tennessee. In Oneida, take 297 west and follow signs to the Bandy Creek Visitor Center(approximately 15 miles from Oneida).
Please Note: When driving HWY 297 through the Big South Fork River gorge, you will encounter steep grades (up to 13%) and sharp hair-pin curves. Drive slowly, use a low gear and check turns before you enter them. Similar steep road conditions also exist when driving into Blue Heron on Hwy 741.
We had 16 participants for this outing. Most came from the Atlanta area. While the campground was full we occupied a nice area that was somewhat secluded. We enjoyed good food and night time visits to a community camp fire. Our hikes took us to the river gorge, two natural arches and the Charit Lodge, a remote lodge in the backcountry.
Additional photos are found under "photos" on my profile.
- The Trip Has No Photos -
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate
