Water · Laurel Lake & Cumberland Falls
Cumberland Falls
MI 219 · ≈764 ft
Major 68-ft waterfall famous for moonbows
Walk-UpThru-Hike
Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail Permit
Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail · Kentucky
343 miles through Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, from Cave Run Lake south to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on the Tennessee border. Most of it needs no permit; Red River Gorge requires a paid overnight parking pass and Big South Fork requires a paid backcountry camping permit.
“Walk 343 miles through Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, from Cave Run Lake south to Big South Fork on the Tennessee border.”
Plan your Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Sheltowee Trace
No single Sheltowee Trace permit exists. Backcountry camping in Daniel Boone National Forest is free with no permit. Red River Gorge needs a paid overnight parking pass (not a camping permit), and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area at the southern end requires a paid backcountry camping permit.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Sheltowee Trace permit season
- route distance, point to point
- 343mi
How to get a Sheltowee Trace permit
No permit needed.
- No single Sheltowee Trace permit exists. Backcountry camping in Daniel Boone National Forest is free with no permit. Red River Gorge needs a paid overnight parking pass (not a camping permit), and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area at the southern end requires a paid backcountry camping permit.
As of November 2026, the managing agency does not require a permit for Sheltowee Trace in Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, Kentucky. Sheltowee Trace rates 3/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Sheltowee Trace route covers 343 miles.
- Permit required
- No
- Type
- Thru-Hike
- Location
- KY
How this permit is issued
Official permit page →More on Sheltowee Trace: Live availability activity
Guides: Sheltowee Trace permit guide
How much a Sheltowee Trace permit costs
Sheltowee Trace permit fee: Free on national forest land; Red River Gorge charges a paid overnight parking pass, and Big South Fork charges a paid backcountry camping permit.
The Sheltowee Trace hike
- Distance
- 343 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 21-25 days
Sheltowee Trace landmarks
- 1Cave Run Lake
A US Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Licking River that the northern end of the trail runs past, described by the trail association as one of the trail's two large recreation lakes.
- 2Morehead
Rowan County seat near the trail's northern terminus, and the location of the Daniel Boone National Forest supervisor's office.
- 3Slade
The Red River Gorge gateway town where overnight parking passes are sold.
- 4Red River Gorge Geological Area
A federally designated Geological Area, National Natural Landmark and National Archaeological District within Daniel Boone National Forest, known for sandstone arches and towering cliffs.
- 5Koomer Ridge Campground
A Red River Gorge developed campground the trail association lists with its per-tent-site fees ($20-$30, seasonal).
- 6Natural Bridge State Resort Park
A 2,200-acre state resort park along the Middle Fork of the Red River built around a sandstone natural arch; the trail passes through around mile 83-87 and no backcountry camping is allowed here.
- 7Whitley City
A McCreary County town on the trail's southern sections, near the Big South Fork gateway.
- 8Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Home to Cumberland Falls, about 68-69 feet tall on the Cumberland River, one of the few places in the Western Hemisphere with a regularly visible moonbow.
- 9Corbin
A resupply town near Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
- 10Yahoo Falls
The tallest waterfall in Kentucky, inside the Daniel Boone National Forest section the trail crosses near the McCreary County line.
- 11Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
A 125,000-acre NPS unit on the Cumberland Plateau protecting the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, forming the trail's southern end.
- 12Burnt Mill Bridge Trailhead
The trail's southern terminus, inside Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Tennessee.
Map of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, Cave Run Lake to Southern Terminus / Pickett region
20 of 20 places in this section
Loading the map
Terrain USGS 3DEP · Water USGS NHD · Trail © OpenStreetMap contributors
Walk 343 miles through Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, from Cave Run Lake south to Big South Fork on the Tennessee border.
About this permit
343 miles through Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, from Cave Run Lake south to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on the Tennessee border. Most of it needs no permit; Red River Gorge requires a paid overnight parking pass and Big South Fork requires a paid backcountry camping permit.
The route
From Cave Run Lake, the route passes Morehead, Slade, Red River Gorge Geological Area, Koomer Ridge Campground, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, before finishing at Burnt Mill Bridge Trailhead.
Why it matters
The trail runs the length of the Daniel Boone National Forest and connects to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area at its southern end, linking two of the region's largest protected wildlands into one route.
How hard the Sheltowee Trace hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required5/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Should have completed 10+ mile day hikes with significant elevation gain.
When to hike Sheltowee Trace
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (≈672 ft)
As of Nov 11
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- As of Nov 11: 69% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Wed
🌧️
68°
45°
69%
Thu
🌧️
55°
42°
46%
Fri
🌧️
46°
34°
24%
Sat
⛅
47°
30°
Sun
☁️
49°
30°
Mon
☁️
51°
34°
Tue
☁️
53°
36°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
Sheltowee Trace rules, gear and safety
Rules & regulations
- 01No single Sheltowee Trace permit exists. Backcountry camping in Daniel Boone National Forest is free with no permit. Red River Gorge needs a paid overnight parking pass (not a camping permit), and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area at the southern end requires a paid backcountry camping permit.
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Sheltowee Trace.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Sheltowee Trace · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Sheltowee Trace FAQ
Do I need a Sheltowee Trace permit?
Not for most of the trail. Backcountry camping in Daniel Boone National Forest is free with no permit. The two places you do need paperwork are Red River Gorge, where you need a paid overnight parking pass (not a camping permit), and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area at the southern end, where a paid backcountry camping permit is required.
How long does a Sheltowee Trace thru-hike take?
The Sheltowee Trace Association says most thru-hikers average 25 days, with the fastest finishing in 21.
Which direction should I hike the Sheltowee Trace?
Most thru-hikers start at the northern end near Cave Run Lake and walk south to Big South Fork.
How much does a Big South Fork backcountry permit cost?
$5.00 for a group of 1 to 6 people, rising to $20.00 for 19 to 24 people, with half price for Interagency Senior/Access Pass holders. You buy it online through pay.gov or in person at a visitor center.
Can I camp inside Natural Bridge State Resort Park on the Sheltowee Trace?
No. Backcountry camping is not allowed inside the state park boundary; you need to use one of the park's developed campgrounds instead.
How long is the Sheltowee Trace?
343 miles as of 2025, with the Sheltowee Trace Association planning a final Big South Fork extension that would bring it to about 354 miles.
Sheltowee Trace trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
If you've been on this trail recently, help others by reporting current conditions.
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about Sheltowee Trace.
Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Sheltowee Trace permit
Where to stay near Sheltowee Trace
- Cave Run Dam Tailwater campgroundCave Run Lake
- Twin Knobs CampgroundDaniel Boone National Forest
- Boat Gunnel Group CampgroundDaniel Boone National Forest
- All Kentucky campgrounds
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