Hikeset Beta
Sheltowee Trace NRT Section 1
9.1 mi
Mile 0.0 – 9.1
The Sheltowee Trace is Kentucky's premier long-distance backpacking trail, stretching 343 miles from Morehead in the north to the Big South Fork in Tennessee. Named for Daniel Boone's Shawnee name meaning "Big Turtle," this National Recreation Trail showcases the rugged beauty of the Daniel Boone National Forest. The trail passes through iconic destinations including Red River Gorge, Natural Bridge State Park, and Cumberland Falls, offering a diverse experience of hemlock gorges, sandstone cliffs, creek crossings, and mixed hardwood forests.
This is an excellent trail for backpackers seeking a less-crowded alternative to the Appalachian Trail. The Sheltowee combines technical rocky sections with gentler forest roads, featuring constant elevation changes between 700-1,400 feet. While the climbs rarely exceed 400-500 feet, the trail is "rugged and technical with constant ups and downs, rocky/root-filled trail, plenty of obstacles, and heavy leaf cover." Expect 35,000+ feet of cumulative elevation gain over the full distance.
Be prepared for some compromises: the first 35-40 miles from the northern terminus include significant road walking on paved highways and gravel roads, including a stretch along a three-lane highway. Section 6 follows paved Bluestone Road for its entire length. These road sections are a persistent complaint among thru-hikers, though the terrain improves dramatically as you move south into the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
No backcountry camping permit is required, and dispersed camping is free throughout the Daniel Boone National Forest. However, overnight parking in the Red River Gorge requires a paid parking pass: $5 for 1 night, $7 for 3 nights, or $50 annually. Passes must be displayed in your vehicle between 10pm-6am and can be purchased at DBNF ranger offices or gas stations in Slade. Interagency Senior/Access passes receive 50% off.
Campers may stay up to 14 consecutive days within any 30-day period and must be physically present the first night. Gear cannot be left unattended for more than 24 hours. Camp at least 300 feet from the trail and use existing sites when possible to minimize impact.
Important restrictions: - No camping in rock shelters or under cliff lines (emergency shelter during thunderstorms only) - No fires within 100 feet of any cliff or rock shelter unless at a designated site - No backcountry camping within state park boundaries (Natural Bridge State Park prohibits camping and pets) - Kentucky State Nature Preserve sections prohibit camping
Food storage: Food and bear attractants must be stored in a bear-resistant container, closed vehicle with solid top, hard-body trailer, or hung at least 10 feet high and 4 feet horizontally from any tree/pole. Fires must be in existing rings at designated sites and attended at all times.
For current fire restrictions during drought conditions, contact the Cumberland Ranger District before your trip.
September and October are optimal for thru-hiking, with comfortable temperatures, lower humidity, brilliant fall foliage, and far fewer bugs. Expect "shorts and t-shirt weather" most days during this window. The Sheltowee Trace Association recommends taking the full month of October for a leisurely end-to-end hike.
Spring (late March through April) offers peak wildflower diversity but comes with unpredictable weather, swollen creek crossings, and muddy conditions—the trail is notorious for mud, especially in lower elevations. Spring also brings heavy tick activity.
Summer (June-August) is the least favorable season: temperatures reach the mid-90s with heat indices near 100°F, oppressive humidity, relentless mosquitoes, and black flies. Water sources are most reliable in spring and early summer but can become scarce during summer dry spells, particularly in the Red River Gorge.
Winter hiking is possible but challenging. Snow is generally light in Kentucky, but icy conditions make creek crossings treacherous, and shorter daylight hours limit daily mileage.
Water availability varies dramatically by season. The trail crosses numerous creeks and streams, and one hiker reported "hiking around water the entire time" in October. However, during dry season (late summer/early fall), water sources become unreliable—carry extra capacity and plan carefully, especially through the Red River Gorge where sources are sparse.
All water requires treatment. Forest Service warnings note that streams may contain harmful microorganisms.
The trail passes through or near five designated Kentucky trail towns with good resupply options:
Maximum distance between resupply opportunities is 60 miles. The active Sheltowee Trace Association can arrange for members to bring resupply boxes to you on-trail in remote sections—contact them in advance to coordinate.
Several developed campgrounds along the route (Natural Bridge, Turkeyfoot, S-Tree, Alumn Ford, Great Meadows, Bandy Creek) offer amenities; some are free, others charge $5-35/night. At mile marker 140 near McKee, Clark Park (private family-owned) has reliable water via Dry Branch and a spigot.
Creek crossings pose the most significant hazard. Section 21 at Horse Lick has seven creek crossings with concrete plank fords that flood and become dangerous during/after heavy rain—alternative high water routes exist but require navigation skills. The Red River suspension bridge is currently out of service, forcing a river ford that's only safe during low water and warmer months. The Bark Camp Creek bridge has collapsed, requiring hikers to improvise crossings.
A recent tornado closure has shut down the section from Highway 80 (mile 183.9) to Highway 192 (mile 201.4) with a projected 2-year closure timeline. Check the Sheltowee Trace Association alerts page before your hike for current conditions.
Navigation: The trail is well-marked with white diamond blazes featuring a turtle symbol, but "user-developed" unofficial trails can cause confusion—if you haven't seen a turtle blaze recently, backtrack. Leaf cover is heavy in fall, obscuring the trail tread. In towns, spray-painted white turtles mark the route. The northern sections with road walks can be confusing; carry the official guidebook and OutraGIS maps.
Wildlife: Timber rattlesnakes are present, particularly on rocky slopes and near water. Multiple hikers report close encounters. Black bears exist in the forest but sightings are uncommon. Ticks are a significant concern, especially in spring and summer—use permethrin-treated clothing and check daily.
Exposure and weather: The trail traverses exposed ridgelines with lightning risk during thunderstorms. Temperatures can drop quickly, and winter ice on creek crossings creates fall hazards.
Northern Terminus (Morehead area): From I-64 eastbound (50 miles east of Lexington), take exit 137 to Route 32 north, then turn right on Route 377 to the trailhead. Parking available.
Southern Terminus (Big South Fork, Tennessee): From Oneida, TN, turn west on Route 297 from US 27 and follow signs to Bandy Creek Recreation Area/Visitor Center. Park at Bandy Creek.
Mid-trail access: Major road crossings include US 27 (McCreary County), KY 192 near Holly Bay, and numerous forest roads. Limited parking at many forest road trailheads.
Shuttles: Commercial shuttle services operate around Laurel Lake and Cumberland Falls State Park. The Sheltowee Trace Association maintains a volunteer shuttle driver network covering the first 60 miles in the north—request at least 5 days in advance. Leave No Trace Adventures provides full-trail shuttles (book in advance). For thru-hikers, parking at your end point and shuttling to the start is the standard approach.
Nearest airports: Lexington, KY (Blue Grass Airport) is the closest major airport, about 1.5 hours from the northern terminus. Louisville and Cincinnati airports are 2-3 hours away.
The Sheltowee Trace Association is an invaluable resource—join before your hike for access to shuttle coordination, trail updates, and the active Facebook group where you can ask specific questions about current conditions, tick levels, and water availability.
Invest in the official guidebook (updated 2023, award-winning design) and the OutraGIS North and South map sets. These are essential for water source locations, camping options, and road walk navigation.
Consider starting southbound (Morehead to Big South Fork) to get the disappointing road walks out of the way early when you're fresh and motivated. The scenery dramatically improves south of mile 40.
Campsite availability is generally good—many established sites exist with fire rings and leveled tent pads. Look for these rather than creating new sites. In Red River Gorge, you must camp on unofficial spur trails, not on the Sheltowee itself.
Plan for 15-20 mile days if you're an experienced backpacker. The constant elevation changes, rocky terrain, and creek crossings slow your pace compared to gentler trails. Most thru-hikers complete the trail in 21-28 days, averaging 12-16 miles daily.
Popular areas like Red River Gorge, Cumberland Falls, and Natural Bridge State Park can be extremely crowded on summer weekends, but the backcountry remains surprisingly empty—many thru-hikers report seeing no other backpackers for days at a time.
During the Sheltowee Trace Association's "Hiker Challenge," the trail is divided into 11 monthly section hikes with organized shuttles—an excellent way to complete the trail over a year while building skills and meeting other hikers.
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