Alerts & Conditions

Alerts

Alum Fire Update

The superintendent has temporarily closed the following areas and nearby trails to ensure the safety of visitors and fire personnel.

This closure will restrict all vehicle and pedestrian traffic from accessing:

• Yahoo Falls Road
• Yahoo Falls Parking Area
• Yahoo Falls Day Use Area facilities
• Alum Ford Road from the park boundary to the river
• Alum Ford Boat Launch
• Alum Ford Campground

Area trails that fall within this closure include:

• The section of the Sheltowee Trace Trail, along the river from its intersection with the Alum Trail to the Alum Ford Boat Launch.
• Yahoo Falls Loop Trail
• Yahoo Arch Trail from the park boundary to where it connects with Yahoo Falls Loop Trail.

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The Alum Fire is an emerging incident currently burning on USDA Forest Service lands in Kentucky, in Daniel Boone National Forest. The fire is 300 yards from the boundary of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and continuing to spread northeast toward part of the park. Private homes and park infrastructure are threatened. Fire personnel are actively engaged in assessment, suppression, and coordination efforts as the incident continues to develop. Visitors and personnel should expect limited access and changing closure conditions as the incident needs evolve.

 

Backcountry Fire Restrictions within Big South Fork NRRA

As of 4/15/2026

The superintendent has temporarily imposed a ban on open fires in the backcountry within Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area due to the dry weather conditions for the area. Building, maintaining, attending, or using any campfire, ground fire or cooking fire that uses wood or charcoal is prohibited within the backcountry areas of Big South Fork. Portable stoves that use pressurized gas, liquid fuel, propane, or alcohol are still permitted.

Campfires and cooking fires may still be used in designated campgrounds, picnic areas and residential areas in developed portions of the park within established fire rings and in accordance with park regulations.

Designated campgrounds and picnic areas are: Bandy Creek Campground, Blue Heron Campground, Station Camp Campground, Bear Creek Campground, Alum Ford Campground, Zenith Picnic Area, Peters Ford Picnic Area, Brewster Bridge Picnic Area, Burnt Mill Bridge Picnic Area, Leatherwood Ford Picnic Area, Twin Arches Trailhead Picnic Area, Blue Heron/Mine-18 Picnic Area, Yahoo Falls Picnic Area and Charit Creek Lodge.

Notice of closure will be posted and areas will be monitored to ensure compliance. This designation will remain in place until rescinded after sufficient precipitation has been received within the park