Sheltowee Trace Trail

Sheltowee Trace Trail
Sheltowee Trace Trail
	Hiker crossing the Red River
Length	315 miles (507 km)
Location	Kentucky and Tennessee
Designation	National Recreation Trail
Trailheads	Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Tennessee; Rowan County, Kentucky
Use	Hiking
Difficulty	Easy to strenuous
Season	Year-round
Hazards	Severe weather; American black bear; Tick-borne diseases; Mosquitos; Yellowjackets ; Biting flies; Chiggers; Steep grades; Limited water; Diarrhea from water; Poison ivy; Venomous snakes

The Sheltowee Trace Trail is a 319 miles (513.38 km) National Recreation Trail that was created in 1979 and stretches from the Burnt Mill Bridge Trail Head in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Tennessee to northern Rowan County, Kentucky. The trail is named after Daniel Boone, who was given the name Sheltowee (meaning "Big Turtle") when he was adopted as the son of the great warrior Chief Blackfish of the Shawnee tribe.^[1]

The trail is primarily in the Daniel Boone National Forest, but also takes visitors through the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, two large recreation lakes (Cave Run Lake and Laurel Lake), and many wildlife management areas. All but the southernmost 45 miles (72.42 km) are in Kentucky.

The trail is multi-use with certain sections, allowing horses, mountain bikes and all-terrain vehicless in some designated sections. Using off-road motorcycles, SUVs, 4x4, ATVs and even mountain bikes in certain areas can result in equipment confiscation and fines. While the southern terminus was moved in 2014, the trail into Pickett State Park remains open for those that wish to exit on that trail or wish to walk further down the scenic Rock Creek.