Sheltowee Trace Association

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Sheltowee Trace Association We're a 501(c)3 non-profit focused on promoting, protecting, and preserving the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail. https://linktr.ee/sheltoweetracesta
(2)

Our mission is to share this valuable resource, connect it to the national trail network, and offer outdoor experiences for all. The Sheltowee Trace Association is recognized by the IRS as a 501C3 Public Charity. Gifts to the STA are tax deductible under section 170 of the Code. For more informaiton on how you can help the STA with your gift, please contact Steve Barbour, director, STA, 606.386.3636 or by email at [email protected] . Our member contributions are our primary means of support for the work we do. Please consider becoming a dues paying member of the STA. Your membership will enable us to continue to meet our goals for the Trace today and in the future. Visit our website to access our online membership application.

Indigenous People's Day 2026. Today we'd like to acknowledge those who occupied the lands along the Sheltowee Trace long...
10/12/2026

Indigenous People's Day 2026.

Today we'd like to acknowledge those who occupied the lands along the Sheltowee Trace long before Daniel Boone. The Sheltowee runs along the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area covering roughly 825, 000 acres across Kentucky and Tennessee.

Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Cherokee Nation
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
The Osage Nation
Shawnee Tribe
United Keetoowah Band of
Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma

There is a 12,000 year long human history of these modern day public lands. People have been dated as far back as 1700 A.D. It's hard not to walk the forest and not think about those who walked these lands before ourselves. We honor them today.

World Mental Health Day 2026.The trail is a place of healing for many. Not just a breath of fresh air, but a source of c...
10/10/2026

World Mental Health Day 2026.

The trail is a place of healing for many. Not just a breath of fresh air, but a source of calm and renewal in a loud world.

CRLC-STA chain sawyer Stephen Mitchell takes a break after cutting this big white oak off the Sheltowee Trace south of I...
10/10/2026

CRLC-STA chain sawyer Stephen Mitchell takes a break after cutting this big white oak off the Sheltowee Trace south of I-64 in Rowan County. The crew also cleared some blowdowns along the first mile of the trail, at the Northern Terminus. Cool, dry weather and the first blush of fall color made for a pleasant morning in the woods.

Suggested Fall Day Hikes of the Sheltowee part 3. Today we explore a moderate trail via the Sheltowee -- Yahoo Falls and...
10/08/2026

Suggested Fall Day Hikes of the Sheltowee part 3.

Today we explore a moderate trail via the Sheltowee -- Yahoo Falls and Yahoo Arch. Located west of Whitley City, Ky off HWY 700 you'll find Kentucky's "tallest waterfall" at 113ft. Past the falls roughly 1.5 miles is Yahoo Arch. This hike in the fall gives a hiker a lot of beauty for their effort on this 3.3 mile out and back with roughly 578ft of elevation gain (metal stairs near the end of the hike back to the parking lot). The arch begs for you to take a break and soak in the scenery before heading back towards the falls.

Hikers- park at the restrooms next to the Yahoo Falls trailhead/overlook. Definitely take the time to check out the overlook for a spectacular view of the Big South Fork River.

Warning: as you hike to the arch you will cross the water source of the falls. Be mindful of the water crossing and STAY BACK FROM THE TOP OF THE FALLS. Also, you can climb to the top of the arch, again be careful and mind the cliff edges.

As always pack your 10 essentials for hiking and practice Leave No Trace on trail. Hike at your own risk but take the time to be safe. Stay tuned for more suggested Fall Day Hikes Along the Sheltowee.

*This is a suggested day hike for people to hike on their own. This is not an event.

MEMBERS HIKE POSTPONED TO NOVEMBER 1st due to Hurricane Isaias. Emails have gone out to those who have registered for o...
10/08/2026

MEMBERS HIKE POSTPONED TO NOVEMBER 1st due to Hurricane Isaias. Emails have gone out to those who have registered for our original date.

There is still room for the November 1st hike.

SAVE THE DATE/Register: STA Members Hike Van Hook Falls
Quick details about the hike:

Date: Sunday, November 1st at 10am Eastern Time.
Location: Van Hook Falls Trailhead on HWY 192.
Total miles: 5.7 miles total, out and back
Total Elevation: 626ft of gain

Full description:
Members will begin their day at the Van Hook Falls trailhead off highway 192 at 10am. This is a moderate hike with some scrambling. The trail winds down gently along old rhododendrons and hemlocks as hikers follow the flow of water towards Cane Creek. We will stop at Ponder Falls to explore the area. There are several waterfalls along the hike. After crossing the bridge at Cane Creek hikers scramble along a few rock houses before reaching Van Hook Falls.

This hike should take approximately 4 hours.

NOTE to Newbies: There is a short drop near Cane Creek that involves using a rope to assist going down/up approximate ~5ft rock escarpment.

Hikers should pack their 10 essentials for a day hike, 2L of water, snacks, and trekking poles are suggested. This hike is rain or shine unless the weather is severe. For more information about the trail contact Anthony Privett at [email protected] . Space is limited, register today.

REGISTRATION: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/en7pwn3
Location: Vanhook Falls Trailhead, 13307 W Laurel Rd, London, KY
To stay in the loop for events like this and others please visit our event Calendar: https://sheltoweetrace.org/calendar

10/03/2026

Public Lands Day September 26th, 2026. Rugby Work Day #6.

STA volunteers continued trail work on the Rugby extension. The day started as a reminder that we have stepped into fall--crisp and cool. Trail crew hiked roughly 2.5 miles along 2026’s newly cut trail and continued building stairs down the steep terrain to Wolf Branch. This section of trail being built has been a beast this season. We can not thank our volunteers enough. All your hard work on trail brings us closer to moving the Sheltowee’s southern terminus to historic Rugby, Tn.

Members, Reserve Your Discounted Hotel Room for The Gathering.In just 2 months the Sheltowee Trace Association will cele...
10/01/2026

Members, Reserve Your Discounted Hotel Room for The Gathering.

In just 2 months the Sheltowee Trace Association will celebrate another annual membership meeting and fellowship Gathering at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset (December 5th, 2026 from 5pm-8pm). For those having to travel any long distance, we have reserved a room block next door at the Courtyard by Marriott.

If you reserve your room by Thursday, November 5, you can take advantage of a discounted room rate of just $121 plus taxes for the night of Saturday, December 5. King and Double Queen rooms are available.

To make your reservation, call the hotel at 606-679-0090 and tell them you are with the “ST Gathering” room block to secure the discounted rate.

Don’t plan to drive home late at night. Come socialize or just hang out with fellow hikers in the hotel lobby after our formal meeting.

Want to stay in the loop? Join the STA to get our monthly newsletter full of STA news and updates. Visit https://sheltoweetrace.org/membership .

Next up in our Suggested Fall Day Hikes along the Sheltowee series--Angel Falls Overlook via Leatherwood Ford.This hike ...
10/01/2026

Next up in our Suggested Fall Day Hikes along the Sheltowee series--Angel Falls Overlook via Leatherwood Ford.

This hike is a moderate-hard out and back starting at Leatherwood Ford Bridge. Roughly 5.7 miles total with approximately 510ft of elevation gain. This hike starts as a cruisy scramble along the Big South Fork River heading north bound on the Sheltowee. Once hikers cross the creek near mile 2 outbound the trail climbs up switchbacks, hugging the base of bluffs (cables for assistance) and rockhouses, as you near the junction of the Grand Gap Loop Trail. Hang right and follow the Grand Gap Loop trail roughly 0.2 mile to the overlook. Hikers will be rewarded with a stellar view of the Big South Fork River.

Be aware of the cliff edges and trail conditions, especially when wet. This hike can go from moderate to hard in colder/ wetter weather.

As always, bring your 10 day hike essentials, practice Leave No Trace principles, AND research your navigation for the hike before heading out. Stay tuned for more fall day hikes on the Sheltowee!

Happy Trails!

* These are suggested hikes for people to take for themselves. This is not an event.

Big thanks to our Rugby extension volunteers on National Public Lands Day.
09/26/2026

Big thanks to our Rugby extension volunteers on National Public Lands Day.

Fall is FINALLY here and we are excited for the changes in temperatures and scenery. We'd like to suggest a few of our f...
09/22/2026

Fall is FINALLY here and we are excited for the changes in temperatures and scenery. We'd like to suggest a few of our favorite fall day hikes along the Sheltowee Trace.

First up in the series, the O & W Bridge. Located west of Oneida, Tennessee off state road 297. Park at the Leatherwood Ford day use area, follow the trail southbound under the bridge, and hike along the Big South Fork River out and back. Covering ~4.8 miles and 360ft of elevation gain this hike is easy to moderate. Once at the O & W Bridge take a break on the boulder positioned on the south end of the bridge while listening to the rapids below.

Always remember your 10 hiking essentials and practice Leave No Trace principles on trail. Stay tuned for more suggested fall day hikes along the Sheltowee!

Address

P. O. Box 6530
Florence, KY
41022

Telephone

+16063080625

Website

, ,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sheltowee Trace Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Sheltowee Trace Association:

Shortcuts

Share

Category