Advanced backpacking along the Sheltowee Trace

Name: Advanced backpacking along the Sheltowee Trace
Start: 2025-11-23T09:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-29T16:00:00-05:00
Location: Cumberland Falls Ky

Schedule

Sun, 23 Nov, 2025 at 09:00 am to Sat, 29 Nov, 2025 at 04:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Cumberland Falls Ky | Corbin, KY

I'll be continuing my hike up the Sheltowee Trace Trail in Daniel BooneNF. Or wondering around Big South Fork some more. Or? I'll be arriving Friday night or Saturday morning to check out parking spots and do a little hiking, and will staying through Thanksgiving myself but figured most wouldn't be available for those days. But if you are reach out and I'll be happy to come up with other plans.
We'll either be backpacking north starting south of Cumberland Falls off 700, and heading north to just above Dog Slaughter Falls, about 15 miles. Day two I hope to hike 12 miles to Laurel River Lake campgrounds, and on day three we'll hike 14 miles to Sinking Creek State Natural Area. Or we can section hike it, returning to a campground each night. This is bear country, so come prepared. Bear canisters and spray if we backpack. About half of the hike follows beside the Cumberland River, so it's pretty flat for half of day two and most of day three. All three days show around 2000 feet of elevation, so it is still pretty hilly. I'll update more info over the next week.
I will be staying at Blue Heron Campgrounds Saturday night and however many days we don't backpack. It is located about 30 to 45 minutes from where I plan to hike as of now, but it also makes day hikes much more enjoyable if we go that route. Hot showers and a chance to grab breakfast and dinner on the drive to or back from our trip. Cumberland Falls is much more convenient, but cabins or rooms are a lot more expensive. But the free breakfast buffet is almost worth it! We could also head to Big South Fork for a overnight and stay at the Chariot Creek Lodgen whether we get a cabin or use the backpacking sites. Access to hot showers and food is available, although there is no power at the Lodge.