Central Appalachia has no shortage of lush forests, beautiful vistas and idyllic streams. We also have our fair share of terrific hiking and biking trails, from the great Appalachian Trail to the Sheltowee Trace to the Virginia Creeper Trail. Now many towns located near these trails are becoming more savvy about drawing in the locals and tourists who enjoy them. "Trail Towns" draw in the hikers, bikers and horseback-riders with easy access, restaurants, hotels, camping and gear shops.
Probably the best example of an Appalachian Trail Town is Damascus, Virginia, located on several long trails, including the Appalachian and Virginia Creeper Trails. Once a struggling former coal town with a rapidly declining population, Damascus is now a vibrant, bustling place that ranked on Budget Travel's list of "Coolest Small Towns in America." It has multiple bike shops, outfitters and restaurants, and hosts festivals and fairs that bring in thousands of people. Not bad for a town of less than 1000 residents!
Several Kentucky towns are working with the state Office of Adventure Tourism to explore their potential to become Trail Towns along the Sheltowee Trace. The Office has been working statewide to inventory trails and recreational assets, identify the needs of trail users, coordinate with businesses and towns and promote Kentucky's nature destinations. A news story about the town of Stearns, in McCreary County, reported that "a recent trail impact study found that each tourist spends $51-240 per night when they stay in a particular community. Every dollar turns over seven times in that community through services and wages." The town of Livingston, in Rockcastle County, is developing hiking and biking access trails into town, and others are in various stages of the Trail Town process.
