Barthell Coal Camp — Attraction in Kentucky

When visiting Stearns for a trip down to the mines on the train, you pass through Barthell, but don't get to stop. Unlike it's neighbor Blue Heron, Barthell is not a National Park, but it is preserved just the same. If you chose to drive down to the camp, you have the opportunity to spend the night here in one of the authentic cabins which once housed the coal miners and their families. All of the mines here are closed for safety reasons, but you are able to get a good appreciation for what it took to remove the black ore from the Kentucky hills all those years ago. If you do venture out here, please be considerate of our history and respect the direction given by the camp's staff. This was once a functioning coal mining camp and still has some of the same hazards. The mines are dangerous and are closed for your safety. There is ample wildlife around - including some less than desirable locals (snakes, mosquitoes, ticks,...

I will give it 5 stars out of respect for the miners of old and their families who lived and worked here in poor conditions. I will not say much about the experience so as not to spoil it for you. This is a must see experience. It is absolutely a part of trying to understand and know Kentucky. I managed to get 86 pounds of high quality coal out on the scenic railway experience which takes you to the coal mine and back again. We hid it in backpacks and our pant pockets. Careful though because it makes your clothing black real easy and if the tour owners find out they will kill you and dump...

Absolutely terrible customer service. I am from McCreary County and know the area well. Pulled up on a Saturday, no one was at the gate so we drove up. Looked around for someone and yelled out to see if we could get someone to help us because they looked closed but said open online and on road sign. A lady saw us but didn't want to help. A horribly rude man drove up on a golf cart and told us to "get the expletive out of here" because they decided they didn't want to be open that day. No wonder everyone in the county dislikes this family and the train didn't stop there for a...