Picnic table sits on gravel tent pad with bathhouse in background
BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND
Picnic table sits on gravel tent pad under the shade of a nearby tree.
BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND
BLUE HERON CAMPGROUND

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly

Available sites

44 total sites

About Blue Heron Campground

Blue Heron Campground is a rustic and spacious campground, situated on the Kentucky side of The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area--a vast and scenic expanse of land that offers visitors countless recreational activities.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 1 to Nov 30

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

44 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 45 × 35 ft
🚐 002 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 36 × 35 ft
🚐 003 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 45 × 35 ft
🚐 004 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 43 × 35 ft
🚐 005 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 45 × 35 ft
🚐 006 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 44 × 35 ft
🚐 007 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 40 × 35 ft
🚐 008 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 35 × 35 ft
🚐 009 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 35 × 35 ft
🚐 010 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 29 × 35 ft
🚐 011 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 39 × 35 ft
🚐 012 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 35 × 35 ft
🚐 013 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 30 × 35 ft
🚐 014 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 40 × 35 ft
🚐 015 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 35 × 35 ft
🚐 016 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 28 × 35 ft
🚐 017 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 42 × 35 ft
🚐 018 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 47 × 35 ft
🚐 019 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 43 × 35 ft
🚐 020 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 38 × 35 ft
🚐 021 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 47 × 35 ft
🚐 022 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 36 × 35 ft
🚐 023 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 35 × 35 ft
🚐 024 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 49 × 35 ft
🚐 025 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 42 × 35 ft
🚐 026 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 37 × 35 ft
🚐 027 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 42 × 35 ft
🚐 028 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 47 × 35 ft
🚐 029 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 38 × 35 ft
🚐 030 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 29 × 35 ft
🚐 031 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 44 × 35 ft
🚐 032 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 32 × 35 ft
🚐 033 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 32 × 35 ft
🚐 034 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 47 × 35 ft
🚐 035 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 43 × 35 ft
🚐 036 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 44 × 35 ft
🚐 037 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 45 × 35 ft
🚐 038 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 45 × 35 ft
🚐 039 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 61 × 35 ft
🚐 041 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 56 × 35 ft
🚐 042 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 30 × 35 ft
🚐 043 RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 50 × 35 ft
🚐 044 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 48 × 35 ft
🚐 045 RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · 44 × 35 ft

Reviews (370)

What Guests Are Saying

Blue Heron Campground is a beautiful and well-maintained facility, offering a peaceful natural setting with clean bathrooms and friendly hosts. The campground features spacious sites, excellent hiking opportunities, and a fascinating mining history nearby. While some campers noted noise from close neighbors and the need for better regulation enforcement, many enjoyed their stay and appreciated the overall cleanliness and amenities, making it a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Review Summary

4.5
370 reviews
5
66.5%
246
4
22.7%
84
3
6.8%
25
2
2.4%
9
1
1.6%
6

Amanda M

Verified

May 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 008

3

Nice, clean campground. Sites were large and had blacktop and gravel pads that were well kept. Blue Heron mining community and trail were nearby and offered great hiking opportunities. Our only negative was the nearby residential area was sketchy and worried us a little.

Sara P

Verified

May 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 022

5

Clean restrooms. Would have been nice to have an ice machine to purchase ice.

Kathi B

Verified

May 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 015

5

Great campground. Each site has electric and water and a bear box which is a very handy way to keep food stored safely. The restroom/shower building is spacious and has great light and heat for chilly mornings. And it is nicely located so it isn't very far from any campsite. The Blue Heron Trail Loop is a fantastic trail providing overlooks, wood stairways among the rock bluffs and close-up views of the river as well. The Interpretive Center about the Blue Heron.mining community history is a wonderful way to get a feel for what life was like. It would be nice to have a trail from the campground to the trailhead rather than having to walk the campground road to access it.

Colin P

Verified

May 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 020

4

Very peaceful spot and a very nice bathhouse.
Private Bear box at each site, which is something campsites in Yellowstone and the smokies should learn from.

Bring firewood from town, has there is none available for purchase onsite.

Camp host is a Gem, very nice and helpful

Rob P

Verified

May 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 009

5

Blue heron was absolutely fantastic. The campground was clean, campsites easy to access and the camp host was wonderful and steered us to a great hike.

Dona B

Verified

May 2, 2026 • Stayed at: 032

5

Blue Heron was an ideal location for a short stay to explore the trails & waterfall trails nearby. Trail info was not detailed or well marked in many areas & had to drive to trail heads. Not much originates at the campground. For me that was the only downside. Hot shower & toilet house clean & well stocked. Camp host was friendly & attentive & held up the general camp rules, which I appreciate. Excess noise after hours was addressed timely & trash left in fire ring & around site by previous camper was cleaned up quickly. Leave no trace

Rob P

Verified

April 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 009

5

The campground was beautiful, the camp host the ABSOLUTE best and nearby hiking was wonderful. We will be back!!!

Kimberly M

Verified

April 28, 2026 • Stayed at: 019

4

I really loved this campground. The only thing I’d let people know is how close some of the sites are. The photos do not show this. We stayed on site 19 and site 18 was about six feet from us. These two would be good buddy sites if you were in need of that. There are definitely some sites that are better than that. But overall, it was clean, quiet. Bath house was good as well. We will definitely be back, just in a different site.

James V

Verified

April 28, 2026 • Stayed at: 035

5

Very nice campground well managed.

Chris W

Verified

April 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 044

4

Had a great time stayed at site 44 the only complaint I had was the water connection had a leak and got half my site wet. I do wish the sites had poles of something to hang lights or lantern. But these are minor things I love this camp ground.

Location & Directions for Blue Heron Campground

4564 Leatherwood Road, Oneida, TN 37841 United States

Elevation: 390 ft

Nearest town

Oneida, TN - 23 mi

About 36 min to downtown

Policies & Rules

General

  • Black bears and other wildlife frequent this campground. Please keep in mind that “food” to a bear includes any item with a scent, regardless of packaging. This may consist of items that you do not consider food, such as canned goods, horse feed, bottles, drinks, soaps, cosmetics, toiletries, trash, ice chests (even when empty), and unwashed items used for preparing or eating meals. All these items must be stored properly. --Secure coolers, grills, cooking utensils, horse feed, any food not in use, and anything with food odors inside the locked compartment of a vehicle or trailer or a bear proof storage locker if available. Food storage lockers each measure approximately 29" deep x 38" wide x 43" tall. --Wipe off picnic tables and grills. Properly discard aluminum foil used for cooking. --Avoid burning garbage in fire rings because it will leave behind grease and food scraps. --Always discard all garbage in wildlife proof trash cans or dumpsters. Keep a clean campsite. --Do not hang garbage from lantern poles. Following these guidelines will keep you from getting your property confiscated from your campsite. We appreciate your cooperation.
  • This is a hazardous tree area and branches may fall at any time; use caution when selecting a place to camp
  • A Tennessee or Kentucky fishing license is required to fish in the main river of the Big South Fork
  • Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
  • Ay group larger than 25 persons wishing to participate in any activity in the park in which members of the group will depart from an established road and/or parking area must first obtain a permit for such activity. More information can be found online at www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/special-use-permits.htm. 
  • Please be advised that an approved Permit or Authorization by the superintendent is required before providing business services within Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. This includes services such as RV or tent delivery and setup, firewood sales and delivery, shuttle and transportation services, guided hikes, guided floats, and similar activities. To apply for a permit, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/biso and navigate to the "Doing Business With the Park" section. There you will find application forms, instructions, and contact information. 

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Last updated: October 20, 2026

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Explore Oneida, TN

Population: 3,819

Nearby larger city

Knoxville, TN

Approx. 60 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 1,444 ft

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Managed by the National Park Service