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

Mark H

Verified

July 13, 2020 • Stayed at: 021

5

We loved this place. It was so quiet it was unbelievable. We were in site 21. By the way 20,21 & 22 are all next to each other. Not like shown on the map. No problems, no complaints and already talking about another trip there this Summer.

Matthew T

Verified

July 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 035

3

Very nice place just poor water pressure. We made do by filling up the fresh water tank in are camper.

Paul B

Verified

July 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 025

4

Trails in the park are very beautiful

Cory R

Verified

July 28, 2020 • Stayed at: 010

4

Great campground. Secluded and quiet. Showers, restrooms, and grounds were clean.

Jessica H

Verified

August 5, 2020 • Stayed at: 038

5

Excellent week camping. Wonderful host. Didn’t have a bit of problems. Just wish that it hadn’t rained so much.

Rebecca C

Verified

August 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 002

5

The campground is nice and kept clean
We like it because it is not crowded and the sites are well spaced for a smaller campground. Close enough to town and plenty to do in the big south fork area.

Sherri M

Verified

August 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 021

5

Roomy site, close proximity to trails, Mine 18, overlooks. We were in site 20 in the circle, very private.

Robert W

Verified

August 25, 2020 • Stayed at: 044

3

The campground is in great shape, the bathrooms could have been more tidy.

Daniel G

Verified

August 29, 2020 • Stayed at: 022

4

A great little spot. The campground is pretty underutilized.... (COVID? School starting? Always this way?) I selected a site tucked back in that little loop in the 20's for privacy. Of course the few other campers at the site had the same idea and I had neighbors but this seems a site for quiet folks. I spend summers in the Smokys, and this definitely has the flavor. Nice facilities with plenty of hot water, if a little old. You are up on a ridge here, and the sites slope a bit for tent campers like me. That doesn't bother me, but know that's the case. The veiws of the river from the nearby overlooks are spectacular, as is the history down at the mining camp. Hiked the whole blue heron loop. It was fun with lots of little bits of natural spectacle on the route. I'd recommend doing it clockwise and starting down at the mine camp. I'm glad I stopped here on my southward drive. A quiet little treasure.

Robert H

Verified

September 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 022

5

Can't say enough about how nice this location is. Plenty of hiking and sites to see. The campgroung is great, restrooms very clean with great hot showers, very nice all purpose sites. We will be back, still have more to see.

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