Cumberland River — Big South Fork
McCreary Co., KY / Scott Co., TN · 123 mi · Class I–IV
14.1CFS/ 2.22 ft
Below Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 500–3000 CFS · USGS #03413200
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (NPS, 1974) · Daniel Boone National Forest
The Big South Fork of the Cumberland cuts one of the deepest and most spectacular gorges in the eastern United States — 500-foot sandstone walls, no roads, and over 190 miles of river and creek within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The whitewater through the gorge alternates with broad still sections.
Trip sections
Confluence to Burnt Mill Bridge — Class I–II, remote wilderness
Station Camp to Blue Heron — Class II–III, classic gorge float
Leatherwood Ford to Alum Ford — Class III–IV, most challenging
Outfitters
Sheltowee Trace Outfitters
Big South Fork guided and unguided trips
Outdoor Adventure Rafting
Cumberland River whitewater
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.