Big South Fork is one of my favorite places in Tennessee. It’s certainly my favorite place to hike. It’s a national recreation area located directly adjacent to Daniel Boone national forest, close to the Grayson Highlands, and is a fantastic alternative to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are far less crowds than the highly popular national park, there is no need for permits for a simple elopement, and pets are allowed throughout the entire park. 

Big South Fork is located on the cusp of East Tennessee, about 154 miles from downtown Nashville and roughly 80 miles North of Knoxville. The park is mostly in Tennessee and spills over into Kentucky before the Boone National Forest begins. Both parks are free and the only paid permits that are required are for backwoods camping. BSF isn’t in the middle of nowhere, either!  You’ll be free from any type of city or hectic comforts, but also surrounded by horse ranches.

If your worried about how to get to BSF- it’s easier than it sounds. The park has fairly well marked roads, most of the trailheads are paved or gravel roads that are regularly graded. Also, you can enter in pretty much any trailhead into google maps and it’ll take you there straightaway. Luckily, though this park isn’t a National Park, it is marked and mapped out as if it were one.

The park is studded in constellations of naturally formed rock arches that spread across both the Tennessee and Kentucky sections of the park. This includes the Twin Arches which both stand over 100ft tall and you can walk across and under both of them. They each have space beneath to elope, dance, and explore. The Eastern Tennessee National Park is rich with views, clif tops, flowing rivers, and a few small fields where deer, elk, buffalo, and bear graze. There are scenic views, sprawling forests, and miles of winding rivers.

Big South Fork also has endless options for elopement plans. The activities in and around the park are so varied I’ve planned out at least 15 completely different elopements all based on what type of adventure you’re looking for. You can make it a three hour plan at one of the abundant overlooks or fields within a 1 or 2 mile radius of a trailhead or you can turn it into a full weekend of backpacking, hiking, camping, or stay in one of the cabins in the park. 

The area around the park in Tennessee is rich with horse stables, airbnbs, ranches, and B&Bs. You can turn your elopement into a full week of hiking, camping, exploring, and horseback riding. There are also tons of trails for off-roading as well. 

A few tips for eloping at Big South Fork National Forest: it’s always best to pick a weekday to elope in the park. Like all national forests and parks there’s no way to “book” or “reserve” a section of the park. The area is always tranquil and idyllic, but it’s easier to get alone time where you want on weekdays. 

The best time of the year to elope would be late Spring or early Summer for a lush, earthy background. If you have your heart set on wild flowers then mid-May would be the best time to plan your ceremony, keep in mind you might want to bring a wedding cape or shawl with you as it can get pretty chilly in the mountains during the early Spring or late fall. 

The park is also close to immaculate meaning you can go barefoot in certain areas and not have to worry about glass or debris. I’m a strict proponent of Leave No Trace for elopements- and, don’t worry, I can help you follow these principles as well from safe champagne pops (or, spraying Bud Light from a can, I’m down for both) to keeping your bouquet from dropping leaves.

There are also options to explore the Cumberland River, rock hop, and swim in the crystal clear pools and tributaries. Sandstone boulders line rushing rivers and cut through the gentle rolling mountains that lead up the Appalachian Mountains (Appa-lach-un) in North Carolina and the Smokies. This park is also home to the South’s John Muir Trail. 

Things to Do In Big South Fork: This is a quick list of just 14 of the trails in Big South Fork from a little over a mile to over 7 miles of traversing. I’ve created a few different routes that combine some of these hikes into adventures 12+ miles long. There are also plenty of horseback riding trails weaved in throughout the park which leads me to our next activity- horseback riding. BSF is an equestrian hotspot with places such as The Diamond “C” Ranch, Quarter Turn Ranch, and Bandy Creek Stables. Big South Fork also has over 8 river runs from 4 miles to 27 miles in varying lengths. These river runs are certainly more summer elopement activities, and would be perfect to pair with a ceremony down by Angel Falls which includes an easy going hike and plenty of places for picnics. 

Packs: Women’s REI Flash 55  Men’s Osprey Atmos // Trail Map: All Trails // Jackets: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisper // Walking Shoes: Chacos // 

Thinking of eloping in Tennessee or the Southeast? Done holler at me.