ONEIDA, TN - Every year, the National Park Service (NPS) partners with McCreary County for Heritage Trail Days to celebrate the amazing outdoor recreational opportunities in the area. This year, you can earn points towards the 2018 GO Big Challenge patch by joining a park ranger on Sunday, October 7, at 12:30 p.m. (ET) for a moderate 3.2 mile round-trip hike up to one of the best overlooks in the park, Dick Gap overlook.

Dick Gap Overlook - Photo by NPS

Take the Big South Fork Scenic Railway or make your way to the Blue Heron outdoor museum by car. The Blue Heron outdoor museum is at the end of Kentucky Route 742. This 3.5 hour out-and-back hike will take visitors along an old tram railroad bed through coal mining sites and over interesting land formations before heading back to Blue Heron. Answer questions in your GO Big booklet and enjoy one of the more remote trails in the park. Please wear weather appropriate clothing and bring water and snacks. Hikers are encouraged to bring well-behaved dogs; however, leashes are required and there is a set of steep steps.

The GO Big 2018 Challenge is a year-long, park-wide event designed to motivate visitors to go out and explore their park. Participants will earn points by answering questions about the park, becoming a volunteer, taking part in NPS programs and events as well as hiking, biking or paddling in the Big South Fork NRRA. If you earn 100 points, you will receive a GO Big 2018 Challenge patch, and awards will be given at the GO Big 2018 celebration on December 8. To learn more or to download your GO Big booklet, visit www.nps.gov.

For directions or additional information, please call the Blue Heron Interpretive Center at 606-376-3787.