The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, the 125,000-acre national park bordering Laurel Fork Rustic Retreat, is a paradise for hikers. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails lead hikers and explorers to stunning rock formations and scenic landscapes.

Waterfalls, wildlife (including whitetail deer, wild turkey, and black bear), natural arches, rock houses, and cave-like structures are among the features in the Big South Fork backcountry. Trails range from short, easy hikes to long-distance hikes. Leatherwood Ford, located on S.R. 297 just east of Laurel Fork Rustic Retreat, is the southern terminus for the Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail, which travels through Big South Fork NRRA and the Daniel Boone National Forest. It is also the southern terminus for the John Muir Trail, another long-distance trail that travels through Big South Fork and Pickett State Forest.


Hiking Trailhead Map

 

Hiking Trails Quick Guide

From easy day hikes with scenic destinations to advanced hikes for serious explorers, there’s something for everyone at Big South Fork.

Angel Falls Trail

  • Mileage: 2.0 miles (one way)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Features: River views, bluffs, rapids, wildflowers
  • Access: Leatherwood Ford on Hwy. 297

Angel Falls Overlook

  • Mileage: 2.8 miles (one way)
  • Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
  • Features: River views, bluffs, overlooks, rapids
  • Access: Leatherwood Ford on Hwy. 297

Grand Gap Loop

  • Mileage: 6.8 mile loop, 5.6 mile to loop (12.4 total miles)
  • Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
  • Features: Numerous river views, hardwood forest
  • Access: Leatherwood Ford on Hwy. 297

Bandy Creek Loop Trail

  • Mileage: 1.3 mile loop
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Features: Upland forest
  • Access: Bandy Creek Visitor Center

Oscar Blevins Loop

  • Mileage: 3.2 mile loop
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Features: Mature forest, historic farm, rock shelters, waterfalls
  • Access: Bandy Creek Campground Trailhead

John Litton General Slaven Loop

  • Mileage: 5.9 mile loop
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Features: Old farmstead, small waterfalls, rock bluffs
  • Access: Bandy Creek Campground Trailhead

Middle Creek Loop

  • Mileage: 3.5 mile loop
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Features: Forest, rock shelters, bluffs
  • Access: Turn right off Hwy. 154 onto Fork Ridge Road, continue .7 miles to Middle Creek Trailhead

Slave Falls Loop

  • Mileage: 3.2 mile loop
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Features: Waterfalls, bluffs, rock shelters, Slave Falls, Needle Arch
  • Access: Turn right off Hwy. 154 onto Fork Ridge Road, continue 3 miles to Sawmill Trailhead

Twin Arches

  • Mileage: 0.7 miles (one way)
  • Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult (with steps)
  • Features: Natural arches, overlooks, bluffs
  • Access: Turn right off Hwy. 154 onto Fork Ridge Road, turn left onto Divide Road for 3.5 miles, turn right on Twin Arches Road and drive 2 miles to Trailhead

Twin Arches Loop

  • Mileage: 6.0 mile loop
  • Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult (with steps)
  • Features: Historic farm, Charit Creek Lodge
  • Access: urn right off Hwy. 154 onto Fork Ridge Road, turn left onto Divide Road for 3.5 miles, turn right on Twin Arches Road and drive 2 miles to Trailhead

Burnt Mill Bridge Loop

  • Mileage: 4.3 mile loop
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Features: Clear Fork River, bluffs, wildflowers
  • Access: Take Hwy. 27 south 11 miles, turn right onto Mountain View Road and follow signs for 5.3 miles to Burnt Mill Fork Bridge Trailhead

Honey Creek Loop

  • Mileage: 5.0 mile loop
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Features: Overlooks, waterfalls, rock formations, wildflowers, Big South Fork River
  • Access: Continue as above for Burnt Mill Bridge Loop, cross bridge and continue 3.5 miles, turn right to Honey Creek Trailhead

Gentlemen's Swimming Hole

  • Mileage: 0.4 mile (one way)
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Features: Clear Fork River, wildflowers, historic cemetery, interesting cliffs and boulders
  • Access: Take Hwy. 27 south to Rt. 52, follow Rt. 52 west for 7 miles to Rugby. Turn right at sign for Laurel Dale Cemetery, trailhead is at cemetery on the left.

Experience Hiking at Big South Fork