Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail

Southeastern Kentucky’s most intriguing recreation path is the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, a 278-mile hiking trail that traverses the length of the 680,000 acre Daniel Boone National Forest. It encompasses areas of incredibly rugged wilderness and includes awesome arches, breathtaking sandstone cliffs, thick forests, raging rivers, cascading waterfalls, narrow ridge tops, and deep gorges.

The Sheltowee Trace

“Sheltowee” means “Big Turtle”, and that’s the name the Shawnee gave Daniel Boone when they adopted him into their tribe; now, long after “Big Turtle” and other pioneers followed this ancient footpath, the Sheltowee Trace leads modern adventurers through this often remote and rugged area. The entire trail is open to the hiker, but sections of it are also inviting to the avid equestrian, mountain biker, and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and motorcycle user; however, since trail regulations are subject to change, it’s best to check with the nearest district office for current information, including restrictions and trail conditions.

Mountain Biking on the Trail

By incorporating ‘road detours’ along the closed sections of this challenging trail, mountain bikers can actually ride from end to end (from Pickett State Park in Tennessee, in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, northeast to the Morehead, Kentucky area). Certain sections are particularly enticing to the avid two wheeler, with long climbs, exhilarating descents, and energizing moguls (such as the double track section found near McKee, where the Sheltowee Trace crosses route #421, and a section (#30) near Whitley City, where you’ll face several creek crossings and encounter old mines along the route.

Riding along the Trail

Equestrians will find horse camps along the trail, with facilities uniquely suited to their needs, including sites that offer water for their animals and suitable parking for their horse trailers. For example, White Sulphur Horse Camp, Barren Fork Horse Camp, and Bell Farm Horse Camp all provide access to appropriate horseback riding sections on the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail.

ATVs on the Trail

Trails for motorized use are available in most districts, too, but ATVs and motorcycles must remain on trails designated for their use. Look for the signposts that indicate where you can ride, or check with the district office. A couple of the more popular trails that are open are the 10.5 mile Big Dog (which takes you from Sinking Creek Bridge to Cane Creek Bridge) and the 5.2 mile Bee Rock Loop, which features majestic cliffs and several scenic outlooks.

Tips for Enjoying the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail

Whatever your mode of transportation, it’s certainly best not to try this particular adventure trek on your own, for it could prove to be a little risky. Apart from the copperheads, rattlesnakes, black bears, and bobcats that you might encounter, there are sections of incredibly rough terrain, so it’s possible that you could fall and be hurt (for example, a newspaper reported about a solo mountain biker who lay injured and alone for five days after a fall in the Daniel Boone National Forest!). Therefore, it’s best to travel as a group - and use caution!

Other Sports along the Trail

In addition to the path’s riders and walkers, the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail also entices other outdoor enthusiasts into the Daniel Boone National Forest, including rock climbers and canoeists. The spectacular rock formations found in the awesome Red River Gorge section are particularly popular with avid rock climbers, such as at Tower Rock, Eagle’s Peak, and Hen’s Nest Rock, but restrictions are in place to protect fragile cliff habitats and archaeological sites, so look for signs to indicate restricted areas (such as at Sky Bridge, Gray’s Arch, and Chimney Top Rock, where no climbing or rappelling is allowed). And the avid canoeist will certainly find inviting and challenging sections of whitewater on the Cumberland, Rockcastle, and Red Rivers (as these waterways are all deemed as “Kentucky Wild Rivers”).

The rugged path passes near or through some of Kentucky’s most popular recreation areas, including the Red River Gorge Geological Area (with its awesome arches and breathtaking sandstone cliffs), Natural Bridge (with its sky lift, hiking trails, and famous arch), Cumberland Falls (known as “the Niagara of the South”), and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (with its variety of trails, restored coal mining camps, and whitewater rafting opportunities). You’ll also find portions of the original Wilderness Road (by which pioneers migrated west).

Archaeological Sites along the Trail

Archaeological sites scattered along the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail provide insights into the lives of the early Native Americans who lived here, and the trail itself provides adventurers with a wonderful way to explore the vast Daniel Boone National Forest.

For More Information:

Southern & Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association (SEKTDA), 2292 South Highway 27, Somerset, Kentucky 42501; phone: 606-677-6059; web site: www.tourseky.com