A summer day in Kentucky is best enjoyed near the water, or better yet, in the water cooling off on a hot day. There are many places to do this in the Bluegrass State, whether you want to relax poolside, hang out on a sandy beach, or take on a water adventure. If you’re looking for a great combination of relaxation and adventure, then Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort has the right excursion for you. With this fun-filled company, you can tube down a portion of the Big South Fork River on this 5,000-foot natural lazy river in Kentucky. This exciting and unique activity has summer written all over it.

The Big South Fork River in Kentucky is arguably the most scenic body of water in our state.

Flickr/Anthony As it winds through rocky cliffs and beautiful forest, the river is a magical place to explore in Kentucky. You can do this in a number of ways (by train, by hiking trail, etc.), but why not get right out there on the water?

That’s exactly what Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort offers and this experience has summer written all over it.

Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort Weather and water conditions-dependent of course, the resort offers a tubing trip that takes you right onto this scenic river. There are single and double tubes available, and riders must be 7 years old for a single and 4 years old to ride along in a double. Life jackets are required for all tubers.

This particular tubing trip in Kentucky is unique in that it offers a bit of adventure, as well as a lazy river appeal.

Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort The trip takes approximately 1.5-2 hours and covers about a mile of the river. While much of the float is calm and relaxing, you’ll also encounter some class I and II rapids along the way. The trip begins at the resort’s store at the Blue Heron Mining Community Depot in Stearns, which is a great area to explore before or after your float on the water.

Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort offers a number of other excursions that get you out on the water.

Facebook/Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort Take a raft right up to Cumberland Falls, as shown above, enjoy a leisurely riverboat cruise for lunch, among others. You can see all of the river adventures the company offers here.

Did you know you can also go whitewater rafting in Kentucky? The resort offers this, as well.

Facebook/Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort For a true whitewater rafting experience, check out the spring trip that takes you on the Big South Fork River. There are also trips in summer and fall that take you to Cumberland Falls and are just as scenic as you can imagine. Read more about these trips here.

If talk of whitewater and rapids seems intimidating, there are plenty of calmer choices for getting out on the water.

Facebook/Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort Take a kayak or canoe trip along a quiet stretch of the river. They also offer stand stand up paddle boarding - another way to get right up next to Kentucky’s largest waterfall.

If you don’t live near these tubing and river adventures, Sheltowee Trace has several options for overnight accommodations.

Facebook/Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort Try something unique like spending the night in a covered wagon. You can also do more traditional camping in a rented cabin, or bring your own tent or RV. Read more about the covered wagon option here.

There are many opportunities to get out and experience the scenic rivers in our state, just be sure to always make safety the number one priority, with fun as a close a second. A great way to do this is to tube on this natural lazy river in Kentucky with Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort for a safe, exciting, and relaxing excursion this summer. Have you been tubing in Kentucky? What other water activities do you love to do in our state? Let us know in the comments!

Flickr/Anthony

As it winds through rocky cliffs and beautiful forest, the river is a magical place to explore in Kentucky. You can do this in a number of ways (by train, by hiking trail, etc.), but why not get right out there on the water?

Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort

Weather and water conditions-dependent of course, the resort offers a tubing trip that takes you right onto this scenic river. There are single and double tubes available, and riders must be 7 years old for a single and 4 years old to ride along in a double. Life jackets are required for all tubers.

The trip takes approximately 1.5-2 hours and covers about a mile of the river. While much of the float is calm and relaxing, you’ll also encounter some class I and II rapids along the way. The trip begins at the resort’s store at the Blue Heron Mining Community Depot in Stearns, which is a great area to explore before or after your float on the water.

Facebook/Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort

Take a raft right up to Cumberland Falls, as shown above, enjoy a leisurely riverboat cruise for lunch, among others. You can see all of the river adventures the company offers here.

For a true whitewater rafting experience, check out the spring trip that takes you on the Big South Fork River. There are also trips in summer and fall that take you to Cumberland Falls and are just as scenic as you can imagine. Read more about these trips here.

Take a kayak or canoe trip along a quiet stretch of the river. They also offer stand stand up paddle boarding - another way to get right up next to Kentucky’s largest waterfall.

Try something unique like spending the night in a covered wagon. You can also do more traditional camping in a rented cabin, or bring your own tent or RV. Read more about the covered wagon option here.

For more information on tubing with Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort, visit here and also follow along with them on Facebook here. Tubing Office Address: Blue Heron Road, Stearns, KY 42647

And for another tubing in Kentucky adventure, check out our previous article here.

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