Sheltowee Trace Adventure REsort

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Murder Mystery Train - Big South Fork Scenic Railway

6/20/2022

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Travel back to the 1980s where big hair, tight clothes, and true crime were all the rage. Join us for a train ride through the woods to Camp Barthell for dinner and a classical tale of "who done it?"

Tickets are now available! Act fast because one of the rides on June 18th is already SOLD OUT!
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https://zcu.io/tqdF
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Events for Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

3/16/2022

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American Indian Heritage Weekend:
​Friday, April 22nd - Sunday, April 24th


Description
People have been living in this area for over 10,000 years! Come learn the history, culture and ancient wisdom of the indigenous peoples of the Cumberland Plateau. This special event is presented to you by Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in collaboration with Kentucky Indigenous Peoples and the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission. 

FREE and Open to the Public!

Educational Presentations
Hands-on Workshops
Authentic Craft Vendors
Art and Poetry
Music and More! 
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Corbin Events for 2022

3/16/2022

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Looking for something to do during your stay with us? Check out the following calendar of events that Corbin Tourism has put together!
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6 Stunning Hikes Near Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort

12/14/2019

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One thing this area has in abundance is natural beauty. From grand sweeping vistas to lovely creekside ferns, any hike you take will be a treat to the senses. You can spend your morning climbing over and under arches and large boulders as the golden morning sun shines through the trees and then spend your afternoon splashing in a swimming hole beneath a waterfall. It is hard to narrow it down to our favorite area trails, so we picked the ones we love the most that are closest to the resort.

Eagle Falls Trail- This trail is inside Cumberland Falls State Park. This trail, while the same distance as the shorter trail to Dog Slaughter Falls, is a bit more rugged. This trail not only takes you out to Eagles Falls, but also gives you an amazing view of Cumberland Falls from the other side of the river. Once you get to the falls, there is an fabulous swimming hole beneath the falls, and some boulders to climb on.

Don’t want to hike that far? Another way to get to Eagle Falls is to take our Rainbow Mist SUP trip. After you paddle to Cumberland Falls you head downstream a bit to visit Eagle Falls.

​Bark Camp Creek Trail- This trail is 5 miles out and back. In an area full of beautiful hikes, this one still manages to stand out. The entire trail, from beginning to end is spectacular. The trail doesn’t lead to a big waterfall or arch, like the others on the list, but the whole trail, and the cascades at the end make it one of our favorite trails on this list. 

Dog Slaughter Falls Trail- A horrible name for a beautiful hike.  There are a couple of different trail heads depending on how far you want to hike. The second trail head is just 3 miles out and back to get to the falls. A nice distance when you want to squeeze something in, or would rather spend more time playing than hiking. Once you get there you can stop, picnic and play in the water before heading back to your car. 

Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower- When open, the Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower provides an amazing view of the surrounding areas. While the tower isn’t always open the trail can be hiked anytime. The park should be able to tell you when the tower will be open. The park sometimes offers guided hikes out to the fire tower, if they are hosting one while you are in town it is definitely worth checking out. 

Natural Arch- An amazing 50 X 90 ft arch. On the trail you pass two gorgeous scenic overlooks and then take some stairs up to the bottom of the arch. A truly impressive site and a family friendly hike, make this trail hard to beat. You do need a parking pass for the scenic area, you can either pay the fee there, or we sell one day parking passes in our main office.

Schoolhouse Arch- This arch isn’t very far off the road, once used as a classroom it would make a great place to have an afternoon picnic in the woods. At only 7 feet high (but still an impressive 80 ft wide) this arch lacks the scale of Natural Arch, but gives you a smaller more intimate experience. If you take Forest Service Roads 193 to 88 and then head west on 88 for 1.3 miles. The arch is 150 yards down a dirt road on the left. 

If you have any questions about these hikes, other hikes on the area, or the kind of lodging and trips we offer you can send up an email using the contact form below, or give us a call at 606-526-7238 / 1-800-541-7238

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10 Reasons to Be a Raft Guide at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort this summer

3/7/2016

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1)  You get paid to be outside and get in shape.
"Pain is just weakness leaving the body".  We won't pretend that you won't be sore the first week or so of training, but what a great way to stay in shape all summer!
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​2)  You look forward to going to work.
OK, maybe not *every* day, but there aren't many jobs that pay you to have this much fun!
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​3)  Your friends will want you to take them to work with you.
One of the benefits of working here is that you can take 1 person (at a time) down the river for free!
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​4)  You get to wear swimsuits and shorts to work.
I mean, if you *want* to wear a tie down the river, I guess you could.
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​5)  The smell of suntan lotion, hot days, river funk and sweat.
Although sometimes (often?) guides are better seen and not smelt.
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​6) You love work so much that you don’t want to leave at the end of your work day.
"Has anyone seen _____?  His Mom is on the phone".  
​"Go check in the back.  I think he is still here."
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7) You love work so much, you hang out in your off time.
OK guys - you can take your PFDs off now.  Your next trip isn't until tomorrow.
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8) You can make a difference in your customers’ lives.
Seriously.  As I was going through pictures for this blog, I came across a picture that a guide had been tagged in by a customer on the trip.  In the comments was 'We were best friends with her by the beginning of the rafting trip'.
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​9) Evening campfires and best friends.
I don't think there is a better way to spend the summer.
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10) Best tan lines ever!
It's all good.
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9 Other Great Waterfalls near Cumberland Falls

2/18/2016

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Cumberland Falls is Kentucky's best-known waterfall, and for good reason.  At 65 foot high and 125 feet across, it is well worth the visit.  Plus, there is the world famous moonbow every month (weather permitting) as a bonus.  But, did you know that there are plenty of other (smaller) waterfalls in this area?
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Rafts below Cumberland Falls. Photo courtesy of Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort
1)  Eagle Falls
This 44 foot waterfall is located inside Cumberland Falls State Resort.  It is accessible via a 1.5 mile moderately strenuous hike on the Eagle Falls trail, located on river left at the falls area.  An added bonus is great views of Cumberland Falls as you hike the trail.  You can also see this waterfall as you float down the river on the Cumberland Below the Falls whitewater rafting trip through Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort.  ​
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Eagle Falls. Photo courtesy of Thomas Hall
2)  Dogslaughter Falls  
A beautiful 15 foot waterfall with a terrible name, Dogslaughter Falls is accessible off of FS Road 195, about 5 miles from Cumberland Falls, and .5 miles from Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort.  Two trailheads along the FS Road let you choose a shorter (1+ miles) or longer (3+ miles) hike to the Falls.  The trail meanders along Dogslaughter creek, and is rated moderate.
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Dogslaughter Falls. Photo courtesy of Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort
3)  Star Falls
This little known, mostly hidden gem of a waterfall is along the Sheltowee Trace trail on the lower section of the Cumberland River.  It is a seasonal waterfall, and is most easily accessible by continuing along the Dogslaughter trail to the Cumberland River and turning right along the Sheltowee Trace.  Star Creek shelter, located where you turn up Star creek to get to the waterfall, is a nice place for a picnic or overnight stay.
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Star Falls. Photo credit: http://destressoutdoors.com/cumberlandfallstostarfalls.html
4)  Triple Falls
Another seasonal waterfall, this hike gives you 3 waterfalls, one right after the other.  Most of the ½ mile hike is an easy wide trail, with some steeper stuff right at the end.  Continue along the single-track trail to follow Falls Creek, which has several more unnamed waterfalls and cascades as well, for a 1.5 mile loop.  The trailhead is behind the main building at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort.
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5)  Bark Camp Cascades
Not technically a waterfall, Bark Camp Cascades is still worth a mention here for its long cascades.  Bark Camp trail follows along the creek for 2.6 miles, past numerous rock shelters, cliffs and cascades, finally reaching the Cumberland River several miles downstream of Star Falls.  A loop, of sorts, can be made connecting Dogslaughter Falls, Star Falls and the Bark Camp cascades, for a long day of hiking or an overnight trip.  The trailhead is accessible off of FS Road 193, part of a network of Forest Service Roads that includes trailheads for Dogslaughter Falls and Schoolhouse Arch.
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Bark Camp Creek Cascades. Photo courtesy of Pam Gibson
6)  Amos Falls
This is the only waterfall on the list that doesn’t have an actual trail leading to it, so be prepared with a compass (your GPS may or may not be able to get a signal) and be ready to do some bushwacking.  It is accessible off of a dirt road past Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort, in the Daniel Boone National Forest.
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Amos Falls. Photo credit: Ulrich Burkhalter (https://www.flickr.com/photos/uloo/4985750708/in/photostream/)
7)  Yahoo Falls
Long claimed as the highest waterfall in the state of KY, this 113 foot high waterfall is well worth the 1 mile hike from the parking lot.  The creek that forms it is somewhat seasonal, so the best time to visit is in the Spring or after a good rain.  The waterfall is located off of Hwy 700 in McCreary County.  It is in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. ​
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Yahoo Falls. Photo Credit National Park Service
​8)  Princess Falls
Also located in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in McCreary County, Princess Falls is a short but wide waterfall along Lick Creek.  It is about a mile hike from the Yamacraw Day Use area along the Big South Fork river.  The waterfall is easily accessible from canoes or kayaks on the Yamacraw to Alum Ford section of the Big South Fork.
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Princess Falls. Photo credit Jeremy Patton (http://www.kentuckyboytravels.com/princess-falls/)
9)  Lick Creek Falls
The 2nd waterfall along Lick Creek, this 50 foot high waterfall is off a side trail from the main trail.  It is about 2.25 miles from the Yamacraw Day Use area along the Big South Fork River, or accessible from the river itself.  Along with Princess Falls, it makes a nice 2-for-1 hike.
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Lick Creek Falls. Photo credit Jeremy Patton (http://www.kentuckyboytravels.com/lick-creek-falls/)
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May 05th, 2015

5/5/2015

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Visitors to our Adventure Resort over the last month or so may have noticed 4  orange cones set in a square pattern in our parking lot and wondered what was going on.  If you asked one of my kids, they would have excitedly shown you the Sand Piper eggs nestled in a depression in the gravel.

The Spotted Sandpiper is freshwater shorebird, although it can be found inland near any body of water that helps provide it with a diet of insects, earthworms and other invertebrates.  Clutches generally contain 4 eggs, although 3 (and rarely 5) are also possible.  Spotted Pipers are polyandrous (with up to 5 mates), and the Dad usually incubates the eggs.  We had 2 sandpipers around the outfitters, and while I often thought that there might be a 2nd nest, I was never able to find it.  Eggs are laid in a shallow depression on the ground, sometimes under shrubs or a fallen log, and sometimes lined with grass, moss or feathers.  The clutch at our resort was laid in an unlined, shallow depression in the gravel and had 4 eggs.  Protection of the eggs relied heavily on natural camouflage and distraction of potential predators by the parent.  Whenever we approached closely, both birds would fly off and then land a distance away, pretending to be hurt.  The birds were often out and about on summer days, but were always back on the nest for the night-time cold.

This was not the first year that we had the birds, but it is the first time that I was around right after the chicks hatched.  When they first hatched, it looked like they hadn’t made it.  They were not moving and looked somewhat wet.  When we went back later, they had fluffed out and were in a different position, so we knew that they were doing just fine.  They never moved any of the times that we were to look at them, and I suspect that this behavior is a protective mechanism.  By the next day, the chicks were gone from the nest during the day.  Sandpiper chicks fledge at 17-21 days, so it will be a while before we remove the cones.  If you happen to come by in May, take a look and see how they are doing!
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Rollin' on the River with the Cumberland Star riverboat

3/4/2013

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PictureUpper deck of the Cumberland Star riverboat at sunset.
It has been 6 years since the Cumberland Star riverboat was able to run its route from the Mouth of the Laurel up the river to just below Last Drop rapid.  It is easy for me to keep track, because my son Daniel was born at just about the same time that the Corp of Engineers unexpectedly announced that they were dropping Lake Cumberland to do repairs on Wolf Creek Dam.  Daniel's first hiking trip was as a newborn when my husband and I hiked upstream along the river to see what the river looked like without the lake covering it.

We scrambled that winter and most of the next season to find a way.  An easy way to bring whitewater rafters on the Cumberland Below the Falls rafting trip down the 5 miles of lake at the end of the Class III rapids.  It was a drought year.  The economy tanked.  We struggled.  The Cumberland Star moved lower down on the lake to be docked in deeper water.  We eventually worked something out.  It wasn't easy or perfect, but it worked. 

Now, 6 long years later, the Corps of Engineers announced in January that they would be bringing the lake back up.  Not all the way.  But enough.  It was unexpected; the Corp had been saying the lake would come up the summer of 2014.  And so now we scramble yet again.  But this time, we are scrambling to put in dock facilities.  To get the Cumberland Star ready for passengers again.  To get the word out that the riverboat is running again.  This is a *good* scramble.

So, starting in May, 2013, the Cumberland Star will once again be plying the headwaters of Lake Cumberland.  It will accept passengers for Lunch Cruises.  It will pick up tired, wet, but happy rafters at the end of the Cumberland Below the Falls run.  It will serve food on its canoe shaped buffet table.  Passengers will relax and enjoy the shoreline scenery while basking in the sun on the upper deck or relaxing in the shade on the lower deck.  Captain Rick will once again be in his element.  And my son Daniel will get to do his first-ever whitewater rafting trip with the lake up and the Cumberland Star running.

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Daniel on his first hike - a trip up the Cumberland River to see what the lower section looks like without the lake. Photo taken Feb, 2007
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Doug and Daniel in front of Bark Camp rapids. Before the lake dropped, the last time someone could see this rapid, Harry Truman was president (1951). Photo taken Feb, 2007
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What do you do in the off-season?

12/19/2012

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People often ask me what I do in the off-season,  There is an underlying assumption that once the season is over and we officially close for the season, that there isn't much going on here.  Not true!  Although we do answer phone calls, and have the occasional off-season trip for people, much of the time is spent in mundane end of the year tasks.  There are various reports to compile, taxes to do, government agreements to update, etc etc. 

But the exciting thing that we get to do in the off-season is make and start implementing plans for the next year.  So what are our plans for next year?  Well, you are presumably looking at one.  A complete redo of our website, top to bottom.  This includes a greater social media presence.  We are on Pinterest, and have started this blog.  So, what else is in the works?

  • An on-line reservation system for our river trips, as well as most everything else we do.  Customers will be able to book the trip that they want and pay directly on-line.  We will continue to take reservations over the phone, of course.
  • Putting in a 'nature playscape' for the new playground in the RV campground.
  • Moving (and upgrading) the staff housing
  • Putting in 4 new backcountry tent sites.
  • (Possibly) putting in several 4-person "Rustic Plus" cabins (with heat/air)

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Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort
2001 Hwy 90
Corbin, KY 40701

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