The Big South Fork Cumberland River flows through a dramatic gorge in the southern part of the Cumberland Plateau spanning both Kentucky and Tennessee. Formed by the confluence of the Clear Fork and New Rivers in Tennessee, this pristine waterway cuts through massive sandstone cliffs and building-sized boulders, creating a landscape of breathtaking beauty. The river features emerald-clear waters that are often described as turquoise or the color of the shallows of the Caribbean. The Big South Fork is part of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, offering anglers a publicly accessible waterway with excellent fishing opportunities in a wilderness setting.