Bandy Creek Visitor Center is open daily, except Christmas. Center staff is available to provide visitors with information they need for a safe and enjoyable visit to the park and region. In addition to maps and park specific information, backcountry permits are available. Eastern National maintains an outlet in the Center.

Visitor Center hours through September 30 are 8:00 to 4:00, Sunday thru Thursday and 8:00 to 8:00 Friday and Saturday. The remainder of the year hours are 8:00 to 4:00 (Eastern Time). For additional information call 423-286-7275.

Stearns Depot Visitor Center is located in the Big South Fork Scenic Railway Depot in downtown Stearns, Kentucky in partnership with the McCreary County Heritage Foundation. The center staff is available to provide visitors with the information the need for a safe and enjoyable visit to the park and region. Eastern National also maintains an outlet in the depot.

The center is open daily from May through October from 9:00 to 5:30. From November through April, hours may vary. Calling ahead is suggested. For additional information, call 606-376-5073.

Blue Heron Mining Community is located in the Kentucky portion of Big South Fork via KY 742. The facility is open for visitation at any time; interpretive rangers are present from April through October. During non-staffed times, visitors may tour the facility, visit the structures, view displays and listen to the audio programs. For additional information, call 606-376-3787.

From westbound 1-40
Take 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.

From eastbound 1-40
Take 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.

From northbound 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.

From southbound 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).