Its 158-mile-long (254 km) course drains a watershed of 1,209 square miles (3,130 km2) and comprises challenging whitewater rapids popular with canoers and kayakers, as well as smooth water sections for tubing, and spots for sport fishing.

That geology demonstrates that across the millennia as the Appalachians and other uplifts of the land slowly took place, the river cut through.

In spite of threats, the Locust Fork remains free-flowing, preserving some of that rich bio-diversity, although human activity has caused many extinctions of rare and unusual species.

The river provided Native Americans ample food and shelter, resulting in abundant artifacts in the watershed.

Today in Blount County, 115 bridges longer than 20 feet currently in operation cross the Locust Fork River.