Sheltowee Trace National Receation Trail

The Sheltowee Trace is 282-mile back country trail through Daniel Boone National Forest, Big South Fork NRRA, and Natural Bridge, Cumberland Falls, & Pickett State Parks in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Post photos & GPS data depicting each mile of the Sheltowee Trace and connecting trails. An interactive map gives mile markers and topo downloads.

The goal of this site is to map the Sheltowee Trace and the Daniel Boone NF with your help. A guide will be published.

Sheltowee Trace Map

Google map with trail and recreation areas

 
Old Map Forum: HI QUALITY | LO QUALITY
 

Sheltowee Trace South MapSheltowee Trace South Trail Map

1:31,680 scale map that shows the ST from the southern terminus at Pickett State Park to the halfway point at McKee, Kentucky. Miles 0-150.

Map contains mile makers for the ST, connecting trails for section hiking, 50-ft elevaiton contours, and GPS lat/lon grid. Full-color maps.

$14 - from outrageGIS mapping

ThruHiking Journals
Jonaharalia
I. B. Me
Sheltowee Wanderer
Want to blog your ST journey? View this post

 
 
Sheltowee Trace Association

Consider becoming a supporting member of the Sheltowee Trace Association by visiting www.sheltoweetrace.org. The Sheltowee Trace Association is commited to Protecting, Preserving and Promoting the Sheltowee Trace as a significant national resource for the enjoyment of all users and for the value that wild and scenic lands provide to all people. Visit www.sheltoweetrace.org to learn more and to join the STA.
 


a photo from the gallery

Recent Photographs

from the
Big Turtle Photo Club
4216 photos in 154 albums

March Hike Group II March Hike Group II



Highway 80 and South --

Through the backwoods of Daniel Boone National Forest and more.... Bark Camp Creek Falls and other scenic destinations in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Part II of Feb STA Challenge Feb Hike

Feb 2012 STA Hiker Challenge Beech Grove Rd. to Hwy 27 Starr Cabin at the Sheltowee Trace Outfitters

2012 STA Hiker ChallengeOut & About on The Trace My Ultra-Lite pack


a photo from the gallery

 
Recent Discussion

from the Mapping the Sheltowee
A Guide for the Trails in the BSF and DBNF

How do I post my journal? Author: chester
Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 8:32 am (GMT -5)

I thru-hiked the Sheltowee this spring and would like to post my journal on here but I'm not able to post it in the Journals Section. How do I do this?

Thanks!



Southern Terminus to Cumberland Falls Author: troop171
Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 8:41 pm (GMT -5)

We are a Scout troop hiking the STW trail end of June. 2 crews of 9 hiking in oppostite directions. Looking for any helps, hints, info about camping sites, water, anything. Any good meeting points halfway for a layover day? Thanks!
_________________
Pittsburgh Boy Scouts headed to Kentucky



Multiday trip Author: fett2288
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:14 am (GMT -5)

Myself and some friends are planning a multiday trip to the area. We're planning on being in the woods five days (ish) and hoping to cover anywhere from 40 to 65 miles. Ideally, we're looking for some sort of loop in a secluded area (aka, probably not a ton of time in Red River Gorge). We have considerable experience in the backcountry and have no concerns about strenuous trails. After searching extensively online, the only trail that I've found mention of that appears to meet our criteria is called the "fire towers trail". The only information I have on it is this:

"FIRE TOWERS Sheltowee Trace, TN/KY
From Pickett, Tennessee,
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April Section 4 Author: Traildust
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 7:56 am (GMT -5)

Teams will begin at the suspension bridge in Red River Gorge and hike through the Gorge, over Natural Bridge, down the Narrows Road to Rt 1036, endure the long road walk into the Forest and up to Rt 52.

Team One - April 19 - 21
Team Two - May 3 - 5

Backpackers will be doing base camp on Friday and Saturday night at Pinecrest Camp and Lodge on Rt 52, just minutes from the Trace. Each participant should contact the Camp and make a reservation. At this point only campsites are available for $5.00.

Friday night early arrivals are invited to a cook-out ($5.00 per person)
Saturday shuttle leaves at 7:30 after breakfast
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New Chapter of KYMBA to Focus on DBNF and Points East Author: Ascentionist
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 9:08 am (GMT -5)

Myself and a small group of others are looking into the feasibility of starting a new chapter of the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association (KYMBA) to focus on the DBNF, including all of the Sheltowee, and points east within the state.

I'm looking at scheduling a meeting on April 27 in Berea to see if there's a interest and to discuss.

There are already about half a dozen of us that will be there. Please pass this along, respond and let me know if you think you might be able to attend, and think about the pros and cons of a new chapter. We can discuss more in depth why this is coming about now.

This is not an attempt to
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Narrows Road Reopening to OHV Traffic Author: Traildust
Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 8:52 pm (GMT -5)

In the news in Lexington, recently, word that the Judge Ex down in Powell county is attempting to reopen the old Narrows Road off Bend Rd. down to Natural Bridge. This road was closed in 2006 by the Forest Service because of overuse and damage to the trail and the road and the arch.

At the suggestion of Jeff Dozier, an OHV advocate, the argument is that the road was never officially closed by a vote of the fiscal court so it is therefore still open and should be available for OHV use.

On the surface an interesting argument. But, the road on the 37 and 57 that is 1937 and 57 maps is labeled primitive road and later disapp
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Between Mouth of Laurel and Cumberland Falls SP Author: Traildust
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:03 pm (GMT -5)

The STA office has received several reports of overgrown trail in this section. Bushwacking required through sticker vines, tall brush. We are aware of this sections continual problems and have plans in the next 14 days to get down and clear this section. The nature of this section being close to the water, open to the sun, rich soil means we battle this area at least twice a year to keep it brushed back. We strongly recommend that if you are planning on hiking this section you wear pants with legs on and long sleeve shirts and maybe carry a pair of hand snips.

Thanks for the reports. We are working the issue.
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Prescribed burns in BSF Author: Blk3fan
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 5:18 pm (GMT -5)

I'm planning to hike through Big South Fork from Pickett heading North. I've tried contacting Bandy Creek Visitor Center several times and no one seems to know anything about the burns or they transfer my call to a phone that is never answered. Does anyone know if the ST will be closed at all between the 18th and 23rd?


Try Backpacking At Carter Caves Author: Captain Blue
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:11 pm (GMT -5)



Try Backpacking At Carter Caves State Resort Park on March 23-24! Got The Winter Blues? This Is The Perfect Cure For Spring Fever! This trip is an easy, one night, backpacking trip for first time backpackers. It includes six workshops on backpacking essentials that every backpacker should know. This trip is designed for those with little or no backpacking experience who have always wanted to try backpacking under guidance of expert backpackers. There is a fee of $60 and it includes all workshops, Saturday dinner and smores around a campfire. Rental backpacking gear available.

The beautiful setting of Carter Caves State
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March Hiker Challenge Author: Traildust
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:35 am (GMT -5)

Team One will do section three - Clear Creek Lake Trail head over to Suspension Bridge parking lot, off Rt 715 in the Red River Gorge, the weekend of March 23 - 24. The meet up location will be the Suspension Bridge parking lot. There is limited space so we ask folks to carpool if possible or meet friends at the public rest area and parking lot just off the Mountain Parkway as you head toward Natural Bridge. Your vehicle will be safe there and you can share a ride into the Gorge.

For more info check our webpage www.sheltoweetrace.org. Details will be posted by 26 March.

Shuttle service will take folks from RRG back to
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© 2009 outrageGIS mapping

A forum and interactive map for The Sheltowee Trace is 260-mile backcountry trail connecting recreation in Daniel Boone National Forest, Cumberland Falls & Natural Bridge State Resort Parks, and the Big South Fork National Recreation Area. Sheltowee Trace Nationa

l Receation Trail, Sheltowee Trace, Sheltowee Trace hiking maps, Daniel Boone National Forest, Laurel River Lake, Big South Fork, Clifty Wilderness, Beaver Creek Wilderness, Red River Gorge, Cave Run Lake, outrageGIS mapping, Boyd Shearer, trail maps, trail guides, backcountry camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, thru packing