Mountain Biking in Big South Fork

I knew the Big South Fork's popularity as a mountain biking destination was unquestioned when I reached the trailhead of this 5.5-mile loop of single- and double-track. As I rode the 1.2 miles from the Bandy Creek Visitor Center to the trailhead (2.4 miles total, making a near 8-mile ride out of the Collier Ridge Trail), I expected to have the trail to myself on a gray and drizzly morning. However, just as I got to the first stream crossing (North Bandy Creek), I noticed a family returning from their ride. I first met a young boy pushing a bike; he had just crossed the creek. He was closely followed by his two older sisters, both of whom rode through the shallow stream. Across the creek, Dad straddled a mountain bike in the most unusual biking getup I've ever seen. He wore a helmet, to be sure, but he was dressed in a Tennessee Tuxedo. That's overalls to you city folks.

I slowly rode past him and said,"Kind of messy today." His mud-spattered face grinned and he said, "Oh, it gets better." And, boy, was he right!

Finding the trail: Leave Oneida on TN 297, headed west. About 10 minutes out of town, TN 297 turns left at Terry and Terry Store where a forest servicebrown sign points the way to Big South Fork. Travel several slow, switchbacking miles on the descent into the river canyon, and then climb back out. Once back on top, turn right at the sign pointing toward Bandy Creek Campground on Bandy Creek Campground Road. Approximately 2 miles after the turn, take a left and park in the visitor center parking lot.

Notes on the trail: Begin the ride at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center and head west for approximately 1 mile, passing the Katie Blevins Cemetery on the right. A sign for Scott State Forest will be on the left just beyond the cemetery, and it marks the entrance to the bike trail. A nearly half-mile descent to North Bandy Creek follows. Several stream crossings occur at North Bandy Creek, King Branch, and South Bandy Creek before you reach the right turn onto the single-track paralleling TN 297. The sign indicates this section is for advanced riders. Weigh riding the smoother but traffic-infested asphalt highway shoulder (reached by riding straight) against taking the more technical—yet in many ways safer—single-track. My guess is that if you've enjoyed the ride so far, the single-track is the best choice. If it proves too much for your skill, walk the tougher sections.

After about three-quarters of a mile, the single-track rejoins the highway route, coming in on the left. Turn right at the wooden post. (If you elected to take the highway, look for this opening on the right approximately 1.4 miles after the highway). Follow signs marking the next two double-track turns first a right, then a left all within the next half mile after you return from the highway. The ride ends with 1.5 miles of single-track section downhill to North Bandy Creek. Of course, if another lap is in order, turn right (instead of crossing the creek, which leads to the trailhead at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center).

View: Trail Map