Kentucky

Cumberland Falls and Traditions, Legends and Music of Appalachia

National Parks

Regional Studies

Retreats

Nature & Environment

Wishlist Start

Based out of a hemlock beam lodge in Daniel Boone National Forest, explore Cumberland Falls and the surrounding region. Plus, learn about Appalachian culture through music and lectures.

Rating (4.92)

Activity Level

Program No. 6722RJ

Length

6 days

Starts at

649

6 days

5 nights

14 meals

5B 4L 5D

Corbin, KY

At a Glance

Stand in awe of Kentucky’s Cumberland Falls, the “Niagara of the South,” and discover the wilderness beauty and natural history of the surrounding area. As unique as the landscape of this region is the culture of Appalachia — gain insights into the proud people here, their customs and culture, socioeconomic characteristics and personal stories. Learn about the geological structure that underlies the Appalachian Mountains.

Activity Level

On Your Feet

Walking up to 1.5 miles per day; some uneven terrain and stairs. One hike on uneven, sometimes steep terrain. Elevations of 600-1300 feet. Walking/hiking sticks recommended.

Best of all, you'll ...

During expert-led talks and walks in Cumberland Falls State Park, absorb its natural beauty and learn about the flora and fauna of the forest.
Experience the traditions, legends and music that reflect the unique culture of Appalachia.
Gain an appreciation for the realities of working life in Appalachia — past, present and future.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event, and a value-priced single room. Max of 50 participants, divided into groups for activities.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Stephen Hollen

One of the achievements Stephen is proudest of is the Heritage Award presented to him in 2005 at the Appalachian Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio. One of the achievements Stephen is proudest of is the Heritage Award presented to him in 2005 at the Appalachian Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio. When he talks about his "hometown of Beloved, Kentucky", characters like his Cousin Peanut, Uncle Billy Gilbert or Birdie Sue Poovey, you will grin with recognition because you have kin just like them.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Greg Jowaisas

View biography

<%= Bio %>

Jacqueline Hamilton

View biography

<%= Bio %>

Stephen Hollen

View biography

<%= Bio %>

Deborah Thompson

View biography

<%= Bio %>

Bret Smitley

View biography

<%= Bio %>

Recommended Adventures

Print All

Map details are not available for this location.

View Map

Expand All

6 days

5 nights

14 meals

5 B 4 L 5 D

DAY

Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Corbin, KY

DuPont Lodge

Afternoon: 5 p.m. check-in and registration.

Dinner: Enjoy a country buffet with a variety southern dishes prepared in regional custom; includes soup, salad and dessert bar.

Evening: 7 p.m. welcome, orientation and program overview. Meet your fellow participants and program staff.

DAY

Nature History of Cumberland Falls, Appalachian Geography

Corbin, KY

B,L,D

DuPont Lodge

Breakfast: Enjoy a country breakfast buffet including eggs, meats, biscuits and gravy along with lighter fare such as warm and cold cereals, fruit, yogurt, coffee, juices. and more.

Morning: Explore Appalachian geography with historical emphasis through classroom instruction/discussion.

Lunch: Enjoy the lunch buffet feature American fare along with regional favorites complete with soup, salad, and dessert bar.

Afternoon: Discover the unique geology of the park with classroom instruction and a trip to Cumberland Falls.

Dinner: Enjoy a country buffet with a variety southern dishes prepared in regional custom; includes soup, salad and dessert bar.

Evening: Enjoy local talent and feel free to join a in with a variety of local talent featuring a variety of musicians in an open-mike fashion. Participants will get to meet and interact with local musicians.

DAY

Music and Life in the Appalachians, Birds of Prey

Corbin, KY

B,L,D

DuPont Lodge

Breakfast: Enjoy a country breakfast buffet including eggs, meats, biscuits and gravy along with lighter fare such as warm and cold cereals, fruit, yogurt, coffee, juices. and more.

Morning: This program includes story telling techniques that are used to describe the cultural and historical aspects of life in the Appalachian America of yesterday and today. The discussion includes readings from Deaton's books on eastern Kentucky, Appalachian Ghost Stories and Kentucky Boy, as well as clips from his two films on the area, The Feuds of Bloody Breathitt and Harry Caudill, A Man of Courage. The program concludes with a Q & A on Appalachian culture and the telling of an old time mountain ghost story.

Lunch: Enjoy the lunch buffet feature American fare along with regional favorites complete with soup, salad, and dessert bar.

Afternoon: Enjoy an expert-led nature walk and discover some flora and fauna of Cumberland Falls. Due to maximum group size, participants will be divided into smaller groups for the nature hikes. Hiking boots and hiking sticks are recommended. There will be a paved short walk offered as well.

Dinner: Enjoy a country buffet with a variety southern dishes prepared in regional custom; includes soup, salad and dessert bar.

Evening: Role of Music in Appalachia presented with respect to the musical traditions of both mainstream and unique mountain cultures.

DAY

Natural Beauty of Kentucky, Coal Camp

Corbin, KY

B,L,D

DuPont Lodge

Breakfast: Enjoy a country breakfast buffet including eggs, meats, biscuits and gravy along with lighter fare such as warm and cold cereals, fruit, yogurt, coffee, juices. and more.

Morning: Board School bus to F to Natural Arch, Kentucky's largest sandstone arch , then travel on to visit two historic "company-owned" coal camps.

Lunch: Enjoy a box lunch while visiting former company-owned coal camps.

Afternoon: Visit two former "Company-owned" Coal camps: Blue Heron, in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and nearby Barthell Coal Camp. The field trip will end with a stop at a local craft center, all items made by local artisans.

Dinner: Enjoy a country buffet with a variety southern dishes prepared in regional custom; includes soup, salad and dessert bar.

Evening: Enjoy a Kentucky Chautauqua performance by David Hurt. This is a one person dramatic play about a particular person in Kentucky history.

DAY

Nature Walk, Socio Economics of Region, Farewell Party

Corbin, KY

B,L,D

DuPont Lodge

Breakfast: Enjoy a country breakfast buffet including eggs, meats, biscuits and gravy along with lighter fare such as warm and cold cereals, fruit, yogurt, coffee, juices. and more.

Morning: Appalachian Storytelling by Stephen Hollen.

Lunch: Enjoy the lunch buffet feature American fare along with regional favorites complete with soup, salad, and dessert bar.

Afternoon: Expert-led 1.5-mile nature hike focusing on the flora and fauna of the park. Due to class size, participants will be divided in 4 smaller groups to explore the wonders of the park.

Dinner: Enjoy a country buffet with a variety southern dishes prepared in regional custom; includes soup, salad and dessert bar. This dinner will be using local meat raised in the area.

Evening: Live Raptor show by Liberty Nature Center. One of the few Raptor centers staffed with local high school students. Participants will get to interact with students from the local area.

DAY

Program Concludes

Corbin, KY

Breakfast: Enjoy a country breakfast buffet including eggs, meats, biscuits and gravy along with lighter fare such as warm and cold cereals, fruit, yogurt, coffee, juices. and more.

Meals

14 Meals

5 Breakfasts

4 Lunches

5 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Gluten Free, Low Salt, Vegetarian, Low Fat

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

Display

Nov 01, 2020 - Nov 06, 2020

Sep 27, 2020 - Oct 02, 2020
Nov 01, 2020 - Nov 06, 2020
Mar 28, 2021 - Apr 02, 2021
May 02, 2021 - May 07, 2021
Sep 19, 2021 - Sep 24, 2021
Nov 07, 2021 - Nov 12, 2021

DuPont Lodge

5 nights

Corbin

Cumberland Falls State Resort is located in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Known as the "Niagara of the South," the waterfall forms a 125-foot wide curtain that plunges 60 feet into the boulder-strewn gorge below. The mist of Cumberland Falls creates the magic of the moonbow, only visible on a clear night during a full moon. This unique phenomenon appears nowhere else in the Western Hemisphere. Rooms include 2 queen beds, phone, tv, daily maid service, and coffee pot. Alcohol is prohibited in all public areas and is not sold at the park. Participants may bring their own with them; however, restaurants do not sell alcohol nor permit people to bring their own. Stunning view of Cumberland River from River view Restaurant.

See All Lodging Options

15 Reviews

Sort by

Most Recent

Most Recent
Most Favorable
Least Favorable

4.92 Average

George

Seminole, FL

(5) 6 months ago

seeing a moonbow and frost flowers for the first time was awesome.

Pennie

Class of 2018

Jacksonville, FL

(5) 6 months ago

This was the most interesting and fun event I have attended. Speakers were funny and very knowledgeable, such a great experience. The lodge was old but well kept and very clean. Food was very good. Loved all the outdoor activities. It was geared to each person’s level. I would loved to do more like this one.

Patricia

Class of 2018

Sevierville, TN

(5) 6 months ago

I thoroughly enjoyed this program. Every session either in classroom or in the field were both diverse in subject and education value while being entertaining. You could make the outside activity level as strenuous or easy going as you wanted.

Frances

Class of 2005

Seattle, WA

(5) 7 months ago

it was not easy to communicate with the fromt desk about Road Scholar issues over the phone in advance.

James

Class of 2014

Winchester, IN

This reviewer did not give a star rating. 7 months ago

enjoyed the beauty of the area, the wonderful group of people, and the great leadership.

James

Ames, IA

(5) a year ago

Each Road Scholar Program in which I have participated has been unique. I have left each program with positive feelings

Carol

Ames, IA

(5) a year ago

Expect a slower pace of life. Be surprised by the beauty of the area and the lodge. Enjoy down home cooking and plenty of it. If you're interested in learning about coal mining, reclamation, Appalachian stories, feuds and culture this is the place to go.

Colleen

Tucson, AZ

This reviewer did not give a star rating. a year ago

My sister and I went on this trip this winter and it was really great. The facilities were rustic but clean and comfortable. The guides were very knowledgeable, approachable and organized. The outings were interesting and sort of choose your own level of difficulty which worked for our group, all levels of abilities were accommodated. The presentations by local experts were diverse, informative and fun. Loved the music! Food was provided by the lodge, full buffet offered with some local specialties.

Melinda

Class of 2006

Keller, TX

This reviewer did not give a star rating. a year ago

Lodge needs repair but overall good program

Nancy

Class of 2018

North, VA

(5) a year ago

We loved every minute of the Cumberland Falls Road Scholar trip. The leader was outstanding as was the program content. The field trip to coal mines and natural bridge was very interesting as were the hikes on the property and to the fire tower. I recommend this trip to learn about the Southeastern Kentucky life from the 1700's and through today.

Ann Marie

Class of 2014

Greene, NY

(4) a year ago

This program was extremely informative and enjoyable. I can't say enough about the accommodations, the food, but especially the presenters. Worth the drive.

Carol

Class of 2000

Carol Stream, IL

(5) a year ago

A perfect program to explore an area of the US not usually on a bucket list. The Corbin/DuPont Lodge/State Park are absolutely beautiful. It was quiet and refreshing, a perfect area to renew one's self. The area has so much history that we don't know about. But even more, the program showed the resiliency of the people to adapt. Every local person we met was friendly, hospitable and welcoming. A program to attend!

Paul

Class of 2010

Canton, GA

(5) a year ago

This program informs you about the past and how that past give us why thing are the way are today,

Vickie

Class of 2012

Columbus, OH

(5) a year ago

I highly recommend this Cumberland Falls program--something in it for everyone and it will change your view/understanding about Kentucky. Beautiful surroundings and the presenters are just phenomenal.

Sandra

Class of 2017

Micanopy, FL

(5) a year ago

I enjoyed this program. It is far back in the woods and takes some time to get to the lodge and to go anywhere on free time. Brian our leader was excellent. The presentations were very informative and entertaining.

Choose Your Airfare

Choose an airport

Don't see your airport? Select Custom Flight Arrangements during checkout.

Continue

Website Feedback

Cumberland Falls and Traditions, Legends and Music of Appalachia

At a Glance

Best of all, you'll ...

General Notes

Recommended Adventures

New to Road Scholar?