Blue Heron
Blue Heron, also known as Mine 18, is a former coal mining community or coal town on the banks of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River in McCreary County, Kentucky, United States, that has been recreated and is maintained as an interpretive history area in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. It lies 4 mi southwest of Stearns. Its origins go back to 1937.
A museum, 4 mi southwest of Stearns
Stearns is the nearest base
Stearns is 4 miles northeast, with 5 places to stay. Where to stay ↓
Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep and Oct
April, May, June, September and October are the mild months, with highs of 68–82°. When to go ↓
Established in 1937
Blue Heron dates from 1937. About ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
Warm months and cold ones
Here is how the weather at Blue Heron changes month by month.
Blue Heron
Blue Heron, also known as Mine 18, is a former coal mining community or coal town on the banks of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River in McCreary County, Kentucky, United States, that has been recreated and is maintained as an interpretive history area in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
- Type
- Museum
- Established
- 1937
- Elevation
- 1,030 ft
- Wikipedia readers
- 2.2K a year
Where to base yourself for Blue Heron
Hotels, motels or campgrounds are closest in Stearns (5) and Oneida (3).
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From Blue Heron | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stearns | 4 mi northeast | 5 min | 5 2 hotels · 2 motels · 1 campground | 1,271 | $161K | — |
| Whitley City | 5 mi northeast | 10 min | 2 1 hotel · 1 RV park | 963 | $117K | — |
| Oneida | 11 mi south | 15 min | 3 1 hotel · 1 motel · 1 lodge or cabins | 3,899 | $171K | C |
| Burnside | 24 mi north | 35 min | 11 3 hotels · 1 motel · 2 lodges & cabins · 3 campgrounds · 2 RV parks | 733 | $167K | — |
| Pine Knot | 6 mi east | 10 min | 1 1 hotel | 1,051 | — | — |
| Huntsville | 18 mi south | 25 min | 4 3 hotels · 1 lodge or cabins | 1,709 | $201K | — |
| Somerset | 29 mi north | 45 min | 13 10 hotels · 2 motels · 1 lodge or cabins | 12,695 | $144K | C |
| Williamsburg | 22 mi east | 30 min | 4 3 hotels · 1 motel | 5,371 | $113K | B |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Close to Blue Heron
Also within 61 miles are these.
Big draw60 mi Stadium & arenaNeyland Stadium
32 mi LakeLake Cumberland
116 mi WaterfallCumberland Falls
60 mi LookoutSunsphere
38 mi State parkFrozen Head State Park
56 mi National forestDaniel Boone National Forest2.5M visitors a year
215 mi National RiverBig South Fork National River and Recreation Area774K visitors a year
48 mi National Historical ParkCumberland Gap National Historical Park765K visitors a yearPhoto credits
Neyland Stadium: Neomrbungle, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lake Cumberland: Censusdata at English Wikipedia, Public domain · Cumberland Falls: ChrisKuehl, Public domain · Sunsphere: Ɱ, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Frozen Head State Park: Brian Stansberry (photographer), CC BY 3.0 · Daniel Boone National Forest: Schwaltz, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0 · Cumberland Gap National Historical Park: J654567, CC BY-SA 3.0
Questions about Blue Heron
What town is Blue Heron near?
Stearns, KY, about 4 miles northeast.
When is the best time to visit Blue Heron?
April, May, June, September and October, with highs of 68–82°.
How far is Blue Heron from Lexington?
About 95 miles north of Lexington, as the crow flies.
What is the closest airport to Blue Heron?
McGhee Tyson (TYS), about 67 miles away.
Where should I stay near Blue Heron?
Stearns (4 mi, 5 places to stay), Oneida (11 mi, 3 places to stay) and Burnside (24 mi, 11 places to stay).
Notes from people in Stearns
Be the first to share a tip in Stearns’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.