Go Big Challenge Returns to Big South Fork, Encourages Use

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area kicked off its ninth annual Go Big Challenge to encourage people to enjoy and learn about the park.

Chief of Interpretation and Education Chris Derman said the categories for this year’s challenge are comprised of popular categories from past years. Derman said the activities will encourage people to investigate the human history, farm sites, cemeteries, and flora found within the park.

“One of the real things that we really encourage for this activity is for visitors to get out and immerse themselves in the park itself,” Derman said. “Just get out, enjoy the nature, stretch your legs, get some fitness in if you’re going for a hike and that kind of thing.”

Derman said people who complete enough activities will earn a unique patch just for this year’s challenge. He said parts of the challenge can also be completed by doing recreational activities around the park.

“Chances are the visitors can engage in that activity whether it’s hunting, mountain biking, hiking, bird watching, water-based activities, camping, and so many more,” Derman said.

Derman said the challenge was created in 2016 and was meant to be a one-time event celebrating the one hundred year anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service.

“We’ve been bringing it back year after year because the visitors are really enjoying it and we really want to do what we can to give visitors a way to enjoy the park and also learn about why this park is so special,” Derman said.

He said the program also encourages people to visit the Obed Wild & Scenic River and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in the area.

“If you can’t get out to the park, there is a way that you can get the answers by going on through our websites,” Derman said. “The park websites have the information.”

Derman said the challenge gets more and more popular with park visitors each year.