I love to sleep in unique spaces and places. and fortunately, sleeping in a covered wagon at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort didn’t disappoint.
Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort is conveniently located 5 miles down the road from Cumberland Falls State Resort Park offering lots of unique outdoor adventures within close proximity.
We were guests of Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort. All opinions are my own.
Glamping in Style in an Old West Style Covered Wagon
When given the option of camping or glamping, I prefer unique glamping overnights.
Our stay in the covered wagon really exceeded my expectations. We didn’t have to compromise comfort in the name of experience.
Tour the Inside of the Covered Wagon Rental at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort
There are a few steps that lead you to the entrance of the covered wagon with a door that also has a screen to unzip.
My husband and I slept on a king-sized bed with a comfortable mattress. The boys slept on twin bunkbeds near the entrance which gave all of us room to spread out.
There was even a bonus trundle bed that pulled out from our king-sized bed in case we needed one more bed.
The covered wagon sleeps 5 comfortably with a max of 6 people.
You Can Leave Your Bedding at Home
The bedding and linens are already provided on your beds during your stay so that you can arrive and just relax.
You don’t have to take up extra storage in your vehicle with bedding for everyone or bother with making your bed in the morning for the WIN!
As the cooler temperatures approach, there are heating pads available for guests too.
Amenities Inside the Covered Wagon
Inside the covered wagon, there is a microwave and a small fridge. The covered wagon has electricity and a countertop with a few stools underneath.
There is a screen window that can be opened up above the king-sized bed if you want to allow fresh air in.
The covered wagon feels roomy inside and the design uses the space really well. You can easily charge your phones at night with the electrical outlets located near the king and bunk beds.
The king-size bed has small nightstands on each side of the bed too.
Inside the covered wagon, you will definitely sleep more comfortably than the pioneers did with air conditioning and an electric fireplace.
Amenities Outside the Covered Wagon
Each covered wagon has its own picnic table and a charcoal grill. Overnight guests also have access to a laundry room onsite.
Bathrooms for the Covered Wagon
The covered wagons do not have running water or bathrooms inside but there is a restroom within a short walk.
The “octo-loo” restrooms have eight individual bathrooms that lock with a toilet, mirror, electrical outlets, and a sink.
There is a shower house located on the other side of the retail building with separate sections for men and women.
You will need to bring your own towels, soap, shampoo, etc. If you forget anything they do have toiletry items available for sale in the camp store.
Circle Round the Campfire at Night
There is one group fire pit located in the center of the circled wagons. Part of the covered wagon experience is sharing the experience with others in your wagon circle.
There are a few chairs provided by the resort around the fire ring. You may want to bring a few additional camping chairs just in case.
The first bundle of firewood is free for each covered wagon. Additional bundles of wood are available for purchase.
Enjoy Star Gazing at Night
On a clear night, the stars are incredible to view. I loved sitting by the campfire while looking at a sky filled with stars above me.
A Friendly Reminder About Canvas
The covered wagon walls and ceiling are made out of canvas which means that they are not soundproof… and can catch silhouettes with the lighting hung from above.
AKA.. you might want to choose another cabin option on the property if you are specifically looking for a romantic getaway… or something more remote.
If you need to change inside at night, I recommend standing near the bunk beds or just going to change in the bathroom instead.
You Can Secure Your Belongings in the Covered Wagon
If you go out for dinner or a local outdoor adventure you can safely secure your belongings inside. Each covered wagon comes with a lock with an individual four-digit code.
The door for the covered wagon has a screen door and an outer canvas door.
How Many Covered Wagons Are Available to Rent?
There are six covered wagons available to rent at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort. The covered wagons are a pet-free rental.
How Long is the Covered Wagon Season?
The covered wagons at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort are available from April 1- October 31. They are very popular on weekends and I would recommend booking in advance to secure your desired weekend.
There are typically more covered wagons available mid-week if you have some flexibility in your schedule.
The covered wagon rentals have a 2-night minimum during the summer and all weekends.
*With the exception of the offseason.
Things to Do Onsite at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort
There are several activities to enjoy onsite during your stay. You can also book offsite adventures conveniently from the camp store. I would recommend booking popular activities such as rafting ahead of time.
Zip Line and Drop Tower
The zipline at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort is a great introduction to ziplining. Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort has a 650-foot Big Zipper that can reach speeds up to 35mph.
You can ride the zipline solo or race a friend at the same time on the twin zip lines.
The minimum age for the Big Zipper is 10 years with a minimum weight of 65 lbs. and a maximum weight of 200 lbs.
Younger guests that are a minimum age of 5 years old with a maximum weight of 90 lbs. can gain their confidence on the 185-foot-long “Little Zipper.”
Zipline packages can be purchased as a single ride, 4-zip pack, or 10-zip pack.
Multi-zip packs can be split between people, but all zips must be used in the same visit.
After your zipline, you descend the Drop Tower.
It may look intimidating to go down but it’s actually a really smooth and slow controlled descent to the ground.
Gem Mining at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort
There is a gem mining area and a rock climbing wall on the property that kids would enjoy.
White Dog Snack Bar
White Dog Snack Bar is available onsite most weekends and during the week during the summer if you need a quick meal.
We ate there for breakfast one morning out of convenience. If you order the french toast sticks I would suggest getting more than one order.
Attractions Near Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort
The Corbin area is awesome for outdoor adventures from hiking, biking, rafting, canoeing, and more!
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
The most popular attraction in the area is Cumberland Falls. The 68-foot tall waterfall is also known as the “Little Niagara of the South.” Cumberland Falls is one of two places in the world where you can see a moonbow consistently.
What is a moonbow?
The “moonbow,” also called a white rainbow or lunar rainbow, is formed just like a rainbow—light is refracted in tiny water droplets—and appears for the two or so days, as long as the sky is clear, on either end of the full moon.
–Cumberland Falls website
You can schedule your visit during an upcoming moonbow event.
Stand Up Paddleboard Tour at Cumberland Falls
I can’t say enough good things about the 90-minute SUP Rainbow Mist tour. It’s up there on my list of all-time favorite adventures.
You can stand up paddleboard or use your board like a kayak and paddle near the base of Cumberland Falls.
The stand-up paddleboard tour also includes a short hike over rocks to see Eagle Falls.
River and Rafting Trips at Cumberland Falls
There are several river trips offered through Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort ranging from mild to extreme.
- Whitewater Rafting
- Canoeing and Kayaking
- Rainbow Mist Ride to Cumberland Falls
- Tubing
- River shuttles
- Riverboat Cruises
Take an Electric Bike Self-Guided Tour
You can rent an electric bike at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort. We have e-bikes at home and LOVE them so we were really excited to ride them during our visit.
After safety instructions and a test drive, you can take the Forest Service road entrance located .3 miles down the main road from the resort.
The electric bikes are pedal assist and have tires that perform well on gravel roads. Be on the lookout for potholes on the Forest Service road so that you don’t take an unexpected spill.
There are several hikes that you can take from the Forest Service Road and you will be really grateful for the pedal-assist on the hills of the road.
Locks are provided with your rental so that you can stop and hike along the way. The locks for the e-bikes are easy to secure around a nearby tree toward the entrance of the trail.
One of the highlights for us was a 2.6-mile out-and-back hike to Dog Slaughter Falls. If you are feeling extra ambitious you can also bike and then hike to School House Arch and Bark Camp Creek Waterfall.
Enjoy Some Time at Beautiful Laurel Lake
This beautiful lake is only about 20 minutes away from Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort.
You can also rent stand-up paddle boards at the resort to use at Laurel Lake. The resort has special styrofoam covering to put on top of your vehicle to transfer the stand-up paddle board. It even works for vehicles that don’t have a roof rack.
There is a nice sandy beach near the Spillway Dam and the water is a beautiful turquoise color.
Dine in Downtown Corbin
You’ll find several great restaurants to choose from around Corbin during your visit.
If you are in downtown Corbin, The Wrigley Taproom and Eatery is a great farm-to-table restaurant with amazing Brussel Sprouts. Austin City Saloon is another downtown restaurant with wonderful food and live entertainment.
If you are in the mood for Mexican food, I highly recommend Santa Fe, located a few miles from downtown Corbin.
Not to be overlooked is the original Harlan Sanders Cafe and Museum which has a KFC. The museum part of the restaurant is currently being remodeled but you can still enjoy the fast food at the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Camping and Cabins at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort
If the covered wagons are booked during your desired date, there are still plenty of other accommodation options available onsight at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort.
On our second night, we slept in the “Cozy Cabin,” pictured above, which had a full-size bed and a bunk bed. The bedding and linens were provided and there was also a microwave and mini-fridge inside.
An electric fireplace, air conditioning, and an overhead ceiling fan helped us achieve our optimal comfort. Outside there was a fire pit, picnic table, and two chairs on the front porch.
There are pull-through or primitive sites available for campers and tent campers.
If you want even more of the comforts of home, you’ll want to check out the “Couples Cabins.” Each cabin has a full kitchen and its own bathroom with a toilet and shower.
Are You Ready for an Adventure at Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort?
Our family had a great time during our stay. We made lots of great memories together and have many reasons to want to return.
Sheltowee Trace Adventure Resort is located at 2001 Hwy 90, Corbin, KY.
Wow this looks so cozy, I need to add this into my bucket list, wish I can visit someday. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you for the detailed write up! I’m visiting in July and was glad to find more info and photos on the wagons!