Charit Creek Lodge

Located deep in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Charit Creek Lodge is only accessible by horseback or foot. Well-maintained hiking and horse trails lead you through interesting and beautiful places on your way to the lodge.

How to Get to Charit Creek Lodge

One of the shortest trails, the Twin Arches Trail, is 1.8 miles and passes over and under a magnificent sandstone formation that creates a double archway. A wooden staircase makes for an easy climb to the top and a 360-degree view of the Big South Fork area.

Many of the Big South Fork trails interconnect, and it's easy to make traveling to the lodge a full day of adventure. Many of the paths are filled with history and natural beauty. There are old homesites such as Jakes Place, serene waterfalls such as Slave Falls, and on every trail you'll be surrounded by commanding bluffs, peaceful forests and whatever wonders you discover along the way.

Summer is hot in the Big South Fork, and the spring and autumn are pleasantly cool. For your trip to Charit Creek Lodge, you'll need water for the trail, rain gear, sturdy shoes, a flashlight and a backpack for your overnight necessities.

The activities available in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area are endless. Recently obtained by the National Park Service, the area encompasses more than 100,000 acres on the Cumberland Plateau straddling the Kentucky/Tennessee border. The Big South Fork of the Cumberland River flows through the area. The Big South Fork has more than 80 miles of navigable river and hundreds of miles of hiking and horse trails. Sports such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing, white-water rafting, swimming, rock climbing, and, of course, hiking and horseback riding are actively encouraged by the park service.

On the Kentucky side of the recreation area, the Blue Heron Community offers you a look into the past. A train transports you into this re-creation of a once thriving mining community.

For more information or reservations at Charit Creek Lodge, call 865-429-5704. Offices are located near the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant at 250 Apple Valley Road in Sevierville.