Local Chapters Support
​the Work of the STA

 Working with our land manager partners maintaining 340 miles of trail is a huge challenge.  Trail maintenance efforts require hundreds of volunteer manhours cutting back weeds, clearing trees, fixing trail issues.  Each year we ask our Chapters and individual volunteers to help us invest at least 3,000 total hours in maintaining the Trace and expanding the Trace both north and south. 

When you become a member of the STA, we ask you to let us know how many hours you are willing to give toward our maintenance efforts.  In 2021 we are refocusing our efforts in the establishment of one new chapter at least that meets monthly to maintain the Trace and host outdoor adventure activities like day hikes.  In 2021 the Chapter is the London Laurel Lake Chapter.

But what about the other chapters on the list?  The membership is divided into Chapters by region.  Individual members may select the Boundary Chapters nearest them or join one of our Supporting Chapters nearer where they live. 

Boundary Chapters are the chapters that directly support the Trace through organized trail maintenance activities and Outdoor Recreation Activities such as day hikes and overnight hikes. They are:
  • Cave Run Lake Chapter - Rowan, Bath, Menifee, Lewis, Mason, Montgomery, Carter, Greenup Counties
  • Two Rivers Trail Crew - Lee, Powell, Wolfe, Owsley, Estill Counties
  • The Rock Trail Crew - Jackson, Rockcastle, Counties
  • London Laurel Lake Trail Crew - Laurel, Pulaski, Boyle Counties
  • The Cumberland River Trail Crew - Whitley, McCreary Counties
  • The Volunteer Trail Crew - Morgan, Scott, Fentress, Tn. Counties
Supporting Chapters are the chapters that are regional based, outside the boundary lines of the Daniel Boone and Big South Fork who directly support the work of the STA and its Chapters.  Chapters are loosely organized, take on one specific project in support of the Boundary Chapters or larger trail maintenance or improvement projects. They join in and provide additional leadership to Boundary Chapter Activities such as day hikes and overnight hikes. They are:
  • Bluegrass Trail Crew - Fayette, Scott, Franklin, Clark, Bourbon, Harrison, Jessamine
  • Louisville Trail Crew - Jefferson, Nelson, Oldham, Bullitt
  • Western Trail Crew - Bowling Green, Paducah Areas
  • Ohio Valley Trail Crew - NKy - Greater Cincinnati Area
  • Buckeye Trail Crew - All of Ohio outside the Greater Cincinnati Area
  • Hoosier Trail Crew - All of Indiana
  • Eastern Appalachian Trail Crew - Johnson, Breathitt, Magoffin, Pike areas in Ky
  • National Trail Crew - All areas beyond the tri-state

For information on trail maintenance plans, projects on-going please follow us on social media or check back here. 

Become a Trail Adopter

In addition to our trail crews hosted by Chapters, we also have a volunteer trail maintenance program where the individual can adopt a section of the Trace and go out 4 times a year and work on that section. 

Sections range from one mile to 5 miles and are accessible from both ends.

On Monday, December 28th, Adopt a Trail volunteers are asked to join us for a short training session using Zoom at 7:30.  Details will be sent to interest volunteers.  To join the call and to adopt a piece of the Trace, send your name, phone and email to director@sheltoweetrace.org .