Flowing out of Scott County (Tennessee) and the Big South Fork National Recreation Area, the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River flows north through McCreary County (Kentucky) before emptying into Lake Cumberland. One of the most popular canoe camping runs in the southeastern United States, the Big South Fork winds through the wooded bluffs and ridges of the southern portion of the Daniel Boone National Forest. An exceptionally beautiful river flowing swiftly below stately exposed rock pinnacles, the Big South Fork is dotted with huge boulders midstream and along the banks, and padded along either side by steep hillsides of hardwoods and evergreens. Wild flowers brighten the vista in the spring and wildlife is plentiful.

Paddling is interesting with as many as five legitimate (and six borderline) Class II rapids (some of them quite long) consisting primarily of non-technical small ledges and standing waves. The main channel is easily discerned in these rapids and scouting is normally not required. At moderate to low water all the Class II's can be run with a loaded boat. At higher water, loaded, open boats can avail themselves of sneak routes to avoid swamping.

Two Class III to IV rapids are encountered on this section of the Big South Fork. Both are technical, complex, high velocity chutes that are dangerous at certain water levels. The first is Angel Falls, 1 1/2 miles into the run, where the river takes an eight-foot drop in closely spaced one and two foot increments with the main flow being forced between two large rocks toward the right of the river. After the first two ledges (normally run from the left), converging smaller chutes of water join the main flow from the right further aerating the water and causing the current to impact a large boulder to the left. A smaller boulder at the bottom of the rapid, in conjunction with the converging currents from the right, causes the current to turn left at the end of the rapid before pooling out. This rapid must be scouted and different strategies are appropriate at different water levels (though as a point of departure Angel Falls is usually run far left to left center to right center). Regardless of water level, boats should be emptied of all gear before attempting the run. Portage is possible via a trail on the right 50 yards upstream of the rapid and is recommended at all water levels except for competent, experienced boaters.

"Devil's Jump," a difficult Class IV section, is closer to the end of the run upstream of the Blue Heron Mine. Here current flows into a house sized boulder from whence it is diverted at an angle through a high velocity chute. The trick is to align your boat for the chute by riding the pillow off the left of the house sized boulder. This is done at low to moderate water levels by practically setting your bow on a collision course for the giant boulder and then allowing the pillow to divert your bow into the top of the chute. The route to the right of the giant boulder is usually avoided because of a mean hydraulic at the bottom. Once again, all boats should be run without gear and after careful scouting (if you do not understand the dynamics of converging currents, leave this rapid alone). Portage is possible and is recommended at all water levels except for competent, experienced boaters.

The Big South Fork is runnable from late fall through early June in this section. Due to the lack of immediate access, the shortest possible run beginning at Leatherwood Ford is approximately 20 miles. Because of the scouting required, etc., it is not recommended that the Big South Fork from Leatherwood Ford downstream be attempted in one day. Several nice camping locations are available along the run (which can be lengthened to three or more days by continuing on down into Lake Cumberland). Between Leatherwood and"Devil's Jump," the river averages 80 to 110 feet but sometimes broadens to as much as 150 feet. Below "Devil's Jump," the Big South Fork widens to an average of 115 to 150 feet and settles down conspicuously with fewer rapids in evidence.

Downstream from Yamacraw the current comes to a halt as it reaches the lake pool. Dangers to navigation are as described above plus a damaged concrete ford between Blue Heron and Yamacraw that must be portaged on the right, and the potential of the river to rise at an alarming rate after heavy rains (remember this when you set up camp). Because of the remoteness of the Big South Fork, access points are few and far between with connecting roads often unpaved and rugged (but generally passable in a passenger car).