Department of Parks
Schedule for Guided Hikes to Fire Tower Announced

CORBIN, Ky. -- An historic fire tower built on property of Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in 1937 has opened for viewing, and a guided hike was held on Sept. 27.  Due to high volume of hike requests, the park is publishing the fire tower hikes through the end of 2008.  While the trail is open daily, the hike will be guided and allow for entrance to the tower and cabin on Oct. 25, Nov. 22, Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13, and Dec. 20.

The Pinnacle Knob tower is one of the few towers remaining in Kentucky, and Pinnacle Knob is one of the most remote. Also included in the construction is a 14 by 14-foot cabin which was large enough for fire watchers to live in. The cabin and catwalk of the tower will be open for scheduled tours on the dates listed above.

Interested persons should meet in the DuPont Lodge great room located adjacent to the lobby at 2 p.m.  The hike requires a short drive off the park to the trailhead. The terrain is mostly moderate but consists of a number of stairs to reach the tower. School groups are encouraged for this historical interpretive tour.

For additional information call Bret Smitley at 606-528-4125 ext. 414 or email to: BretA.Smitley@ky.gov.

Like other Kentucky resort parks, Cumberland Falls is also offering lodge rooms for $50 a night Sunday through Thursday with a coupon that’s available on the web site through Dec. 30, 2008.
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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov.