Straddling The State Border, Big South Fork In Tennessee Is One Of The Most Unique Places You'll Ever Visit
By Chris Dodge|Published April 20, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is unique for several different reasons. The park has some features not really found anywhere else in Tennessee, making for a distinct and fun hiking experience. It is also special because we get to share this space with our friendly neighbors to the north, Kentucky. We encourage you to drive into a park that is so big that it straddles the line between states and can have shared experiences no matter what side of the border you come from. So let’s forget about state lines for a minute and enjoy the natural beauty found at Big South Fork.
Several places in Big South Fork remind us of natural wonders found out west.
It was like some of the unique features found in Utah were plucked from the landscape and got a Tennessee makeover. You might not be in the desert, but you can hike to an arch nonetheless. Better yet: you can see two arches on one trail! Take the Twin Arches Loop Trail to witness a towering rock formation that is sure to fill you with wonder. You can also climb a set of stairs to get a view from on top of the arch.
Another natural wonder may be a bit hard to find but when you do it will be worth all of the effort.
Devil’s Cave is another place that seems out of place in our state; sure we have plenty of caves, but we don’t have a lot of slot canyons. Devil’s Cave is the biggest slot canyon in the state and its massive size is breathtaking. There is no technical trail leading to the cave, but you can find it off of the East Rim Overlook.
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One thing that we are used to are beautiful cliffside overlooks, and if you want to feel at home then head to the Angle Falls Overlook Trail. This stunning trail will overlook the valley below and the scenery is second to none. These are the kind of views that bring us right back to our Tennessee roots.
One of the best trails that displays the harmony between the two states is the Buffalo Arch Trail. Starting the trail just north of the Tennessee, line you will be traversing a hike that will weave in and out of the state line. The arch itself is a swooping beauty to walk under and is technically in Kentucky, but finds its home in a park we both claim.
Not only will you find a plethora of arches within Big South Fork but this uncommon park also has something else very rare. Hoodoos are something that you think of when you picture a beautiful sunrise at Bryce Canyon, but there is a little bit of that right here in Tennessee. The same similar style of rock formations can be found but they call them chimneys here. You can find one right alongside the road by the Station Camp Campground.
It is hard to mention Big South Fork without pointing out some of the epic waterfalls you can find within the park. Yahoo Falls is among one of the best ones to hike to and can be found on the Kentucky side of the park. This is actually the biggest waterfall in Kentucky, and makes for a gorgeous reward after your hike.
Without a doubt, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is a unique place. Straddling the line between Kentucky, and Tennessee, is among one of the factors that make this such a great place. Once you see the arches, waterfalls, caves, and chimneys, you will quickly see why this place is quite a gem that we have here in our state. For more information on the area please visit the Big South Fork National Parks website.
If you plan a trip to Big South Fork there is a state park right next door you might want to pair to your trip for some unforgettable star gazing.
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