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Absolutely everything. The attractions, the hikes, the food, etc. It was home away from home!
We used Bluegrass Climbing School to go outdoor climbing for the first time. They took us into Muir Valley. We had a fantastic time. The area is gorgeous and well-maintained.
I had no idea that such a beautiful national park/hiking area existed so close to Cincy! This was a great way to spend a long Easter weekend, and explore some of the Bluegrass State. We drove down Saturday morning: from the Florence-Union area, this was just under a 2 hour trip. My fiancé did some research beforehand about which trails were the best without being too rocky, since we were bringing our dog with us. We used the All Trails app (highly recommend downloading this!) and selected the "Double Arch, Courthouse Rock, and Auxier Ridge Loop" trail. If that sounds like a mouthful, that's because it's actually three trails that merge into one another, creating a moderately challenging hike with incredible views. Once you actually get to "Red River Gorge," there's a decent drive back into the mountains to get to this particular trail. There were lots of options for parking on our drive for other trails ... but when we arrived to the one we actually wanted to hike, it was packed! I realize that this was a holiday weekend, and one of the first with nice weather in recent months, but we probably spent just figuring out where and how to park. We ended up having to get creative and park on a curve in the road ... maybe that's our fault for arriving at the peak of the day, but it seems like if this trail is popular, there should be more parking available? The All Trails app advised us that the hike is a bit easier if you go counter-clockwise around the loop, so that's what we did. We hiked for around 3.5 hours, and traveled just over 5 miles. We opted out of the "Double Arch" part of the trail, since that would have had us double back a bit. Again, I realize this was a holiday weekend, but these trails were BUSY! If you were looking to reconnect with nature and center yourself spiritually with your surroundings, this is not the trail to do that on. Most of the other hikers were courteous and friendly, but we ran into at least a few that acted like they owned the trail. And just as a personal pet peeve (literally), I don't care how well-trained your dog is - if the park requires dogs to be leashed, then keep them on a leash! Our dog is a rescue and not comfortable being around other dogs in close quarters, so I definitely did not appreciate when we would pull our fur baby over to the side to let someone pass, only to find a dog without a leash wandering up to him and making him nervous. All that said, this was a beautiful hike, and we'd love to explore other parts of Red River Gorge. Be advised that certain parts of this particular trail were a bit rocky, and others were quite muddy. There is a lovely creek crossing portion of the hike, and another section where you'll feel like you're literally on top of the world.
I think I went to the Red River Gorge on the best day possible. It's the end of October so the trees were looking stellar with all those fall colors. During our time, we rode the sky lift up to the Natural Bridge (definitely a beautiful ride that takes ~10 minutes, seems overpriced to me though.. $17 round trip and seeing the lines you know they're making bank). Go earlier to enjoy the views with lower traffic. Also did the Whittleton Arch trail. There wasn't parking at the trailhead, so the four mile hike was more like six once you tack on our hike from the car to the starting point. The trail wasn't easy, but not hard. Multiple cave like areas, it seemed the temperature would vary ten degrees depending if you were near a cave or not. The end point was a little disappointing for me, not much of an arch and if you climb up on the left side it doesn't really take you anywhere. Fun to climb around the rocks. Definitely plan ahead where you want to go because you don't get service within the park. I know Miguel's is a favorite of many, but I'll have to try another time when I can spend some time waiting in a line. The ice cream shop was really yummy with lots of options. Overall, beautiful park and I was surprised there weren't more people there on such an unexpectedly beautiful October day.
We find that we generally get pretty good service in the visitors centers. There are some standouts but this particular visitor center experience was an a&b, largely due to Josiah (sp?). What a treat to have met him. In fact, so much so that the wife and I drove back through the entire park at the end of our day to say thanks and he remembered our names and the things we had shared early in the say. What a great guy! He was helpful, super friendly, knowledgeable, and seemed very sincere. There was another young lady who was helping other folks who was also very friendly to them but we didn't hear much The store was VERY clean, the restrooms were clean (wife approved), and lots of good stuff. The park was well laid out, trails and warnings clearly indicated, and really just a great day.
It's a great natural space. The visitor experience was not what I'd hoped. One drives in (assuming you come from the parkway) through a rather terrifying rock tunnel that is labeled as historic and which does not inspire much confidence. The roads beyond it were in poor condition when I arrived, with several sections breaking down and with warning signs around them, and with a bridge completely closed, dead-ending my trip before what looked like a pretty appealing overlook. In addition to various (mostly small) parking lots, pull-offs from the road appeared frequently, though it often wasn't obvious where one would go if one parked there. The area is indeed a gorge, and in most areas I found the road way above the river. The banks were of very soft (and reddish) clay, and it was pretty treacherous on the rainy day I was there, resulting in a twisted ankle and a banged up knee. The river was not big at all and looked wadeable in parts. On the riverbank near the closed bridge, a decidedly unofficial looking campsite was laden with trash and creepily abandoned. My conclusion boils down to it being a nice area but a bit wilder and less well maintained than I'd hope for. I think I could enjoy it more with the benefit of experience and some better planning. Renting a kayak might also be worthwhile. And definitely watch out for bears.
1/16/21 Came here with my friend for a snow filled winter hike up to the double arch. It was so beautiful to explore during this weather. The hike is a bit steep but it's pretty short once you get to the trailhead. There are a lot of muddy trails but that's to be expected when hiking in the woods. Would recommend good hiking shoes with traction for safety. But over all this hike is pretty easy and worth the views. Shortest and safest for the snowy hiking trails.
Amazing experience! We took our 4 kids (5, 10, 11, 13) and they were able to do most of the trails without issues. It's not a playground and it's a dangerous place so if your kids aren't very mature, I would not recommend. The hikes and trails mostly don't have any railings of and kind and are next to steep sloping cliffs. But ours did great and the views were incredible. We will be returning! Our first time camping/in the mountains of Kentucky ever.
I have asked for 3 or 4 winters, To go with my son and group to RRG. Hike is and camp for 2 night. So this January I said yes. It's $5 for 3 day pass stay over night, You can the pass at either of the Slade gas station off the Parkway. So I hike in the dark, Friday night to we're camping a mile in, I'm really I'm pressed with survival skills. In January I dressed in 3 layer & never wore a jacket. As long as hiking you don't need it. The fire was a life saver. We never ran into another person tell Sunday morning hiking back to parking lot. The other guys say come March it starts getting crowded. No snakes, Bugs or bears in January, But there was plenty of bear evidence left behind were we hiked.
Beautiful views, things to do and relaxing time away. The trails we saw were all well marked and one of the ones we did have a DNR staff member at the parking lot for any questions and for safety during copperhead season. This is a must see if you are in Kentucky
This is an amazing and beautiful 1.25 mile loop hike. This is a moderate hike because there are several rock staircases that need to be navigated. This is one of the more popular shorter hikes in the Red River Gorge. If you prefer to walk down stairs I would suggest starting on the right hand side parking lot About the half way point you come across Creation Falls, a pretty waterfall with a nice beach (yes there is a lot of sand there) area that's nice to sit and relax or have a picnic. Just past the falls you come across Rock Bridge Arch. Again it's very sandy and you can walk under it in the river. Both places are great to take off your shoes and wade. As always in the RRG, enjoy yourself and remember you are in nature. Also please pack any trash you bring. We all want to enjoy nature's beauty. At the trailhead there are restrooms, trash cans, and picnic tables too.
This is my second time I went to Red River gorge and it was great. I'm a avid hiker and Red River Gorge has so much to offer. My friend and I hike the Arch and did the trail backwards. Which was a great idea. The trail cans be difficult in certain areas, but it's a great workout and views are amazing. I learned do not follow Waze directions if you are going to the Arch. You will not get there. I followed directions given by a friend it saves me about 30 minutes. Overall, great place.
5 months ago
This will have been our 2nd time to Red River Gorge, except we took our fam plus some. I love views, mountains, family, and good food! We rented out thee most cutest cabin. We took a hike one day and rested another. When we go again, the itinerary will look different, trying other places we didn't get a chance to experience. read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
Absolutely everything. The attractions, the hikes, the food, etc. It was home away from home! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
We used Bluegrass Climbing School to go outdoor climbing for the first time. They took us into Muir Valley. We had a fantastic time. The area is gorgeous and well-maintained. read more
I had no idea that such a beautiful national park/hiking area existed so close to Cincy! This was a great way to spend a long Easter weekend, and explore some of the Bluegrass State. We drove down Saturday morning: from the Florence-Union area, this was just under a 2 hour trip. My fiancé did some research beforehand about which trails were the best without being too rocky, since we were bringing our dog with us. We used the All Trails app (highly recommend downloading this!) and selected the "Double Arch, Courthouse Rock, and Auxier Ridge Loop" trail. If that sounds like a mouthful, that's because it's actually three trails that merge into one another, creating a moderately challenging hike with incredible views. Once you actually get to "Red River Gorge," there's a decent drive back into the mountains to get to this particular trail. There were lots of options for parking on our drive for other trails ... but when we arrived to the one we actually wanted to hike, it was packed! I realize that this was a holiday weekend, and one of the first with nice weather in recent months, but we probably spent just figuring out where and how to park. We ended up having to get creative and park on a curve in the road ... maybe that's our fault for arriving at the peak of the day, but it seems like if this trail is popular, there should be more parking available? The All Trails app advised us that the hike is a bit easier if you go counter-clockwise around the loop, so that's what we did. We hiked for around 3.5 hours, and traveled just over 5 miles. We opted out of the "Double Arch" part of the trail, since that would have had us double back a bit. Again, I realize this was a holiday weekend, but these trails were BUSY! If you were looking to reconnect with nature and center yourself spiritually with your surroundings, this is not the trail to do that on. Most of the other hikers were courteous and friendly, but we ran into at least a few that acted like they owned the trail. And just as a personal pet peeve (literally), I don't care how well-trained your dog is - if the park requires dogs to be leashed, then keep them on a leash! Our dog is a rescue and not comfortable being around other dogs in close quarters, so I definitely did not appreciate when we would pull our fur baby over to the side to let someone pass, only to find a dog without a leash wandering up to him and making him nervous. All that said, this was a beautiful hike, and we'd love to explore other parts of Red River Gorge. Be advised that certain parts of this particular trail were a bit rocky, and others were quite muddy. There is a lovely creek crossing portion of the hike, and another section where you'll feel like you're literally on top of the world. read more
I think I went to the Red River Gorge on the best day possible. It's the end of October so the trees were looking stellar with all those fall colors. During our time, we rode the sky lift up to the Natural Bridge (definitely a beautiful ride that takes ~10 minutes, seems overpriced to me though.. $17 round trip and seeing the lines you know they're making bank). Go earlier to enjoy the views with lower traffic. Also did the Whittleton Arch trail. There wasn't parking at the trailhead, so the four mile hike was more like six once you tack on our hike from the car to the starting point. The trail wasn't easy, but not hard. Multiple cave like areas, it seemed the temperature would vary ten degrees depending if you were near a cave or not. The end point was a little disappointing for me, not much of an arch and if you climb up on the left side it doesn't really take you anywhere. Fun to climb around the rocks. Definitely plan ahead where you want to go because you don't get service within the park. I know Miguel's is a favorite of many, but I'll have to try another time when I can spend some time waiting in a line. The ice cream shop was really yummy with lots of options. Overall, beautiful park and I was surprised there weren't more people there on such an unexpectedly beautiful October day. read more
We find that we generally get pretty good service in the visitors centers. There are some standouts but this particular visitor center experience was an a&b, largely due to Josiah (sp?). What a treat to have met him. In fact, so much so that the wife and I drove back through the entire park at the end of our day to say thanks and he remembered our names and the things we had shared early in the say. What a great guy! He was helpful, super friendly, knowledgeable, and seemed very sincere. There was another young lady who was helping other folks who was also very friendly to them but we didn't hear much The store was VERY clean, the restrooms were clean (wife approved), and lots of good stuff. The park was well laid out, trails and warnings clearly indicated, and really just a great day. read more
It's a great natural space. The visitor experience was not what I'd hoped. One drives in (assuming you come from the parkway) through a rather terrifying rock tunnel that is labeled as historic and which does not inspire much confidence. The roads beyond it were in poor condition when I arrived, with several sections breaking down and with warning signs around them, and with a bridge completely closed, dead-ending my trip before what looked like a pretty appealing overlook. In addition to various (mostly small) parking lots, pull-offs from the road appeared frequently, though it often wasn't obvious where one would go if one parked there. The area is indeed a gorge, and in most areas I found the road way above the river. The banks were of very soft (and reddish) clay, and it was pretty treacherous on the rainy day I was there, resulting in a twisted ankle and a banged up knee. The river was not big at all and looked wadeable in parts. On the riverbank near the closed bridge, a decidedly unofficial looking campsite was laden with trash and creepily abandoned. My conclusion boils down to it being a nice area but a bit wilder and less well maintained than I'd hope for. I think I could enjoy it more with the benefit of experience and some better planning. Renting a kayak might also be worthwhile. And definitely watch out for bears. read more
1/16/21 Came here with my friend for a snow filled winter hike up to the double arch. It was so beautiful to explore during this weather. The hike is a bit steep but it's pretty short once you get to the trailhead. There are a lot of muddy trails but that's to be expected when hiking in the woods. Would recommend good hiking shoes with traction for safety. But over all this hike is pretty easy and worth the views. Shortest and safest for the snowy hiking trails. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Amazing experience! We took our 4 kids (5, 10, 11, 13) and they were able to do most of the trails without issues. It's not a playground and it's a dangerous place so if your kids aren't very mature, I would not recommend. The hikes and trails mostly don't have any railings of and kind and are next to steep sloping cliffs. But ours did great and the views were incredible. We will be returning! Our first time camping/in the mountains of Kentucky ever. read more
3 years ago
I have asked for 3 or 4 winters, To go with my son and group to RRG. Hike is and camp for 2 night. So this January I said yes. It's $5 for 3 day pass stay over night, You can the pass at either of the Slade gas station off the Parkway. So I hike in the dark, Friday night to we're camping a mile in, I'm really I'm pressed with survival skills. In January I dressed in 3 layer & never wore a jacket. As long as hiking you don't need it. The fire was a life saver. We never ran into another person tell Sunday morning hiking back to parking lot. The other guys say come March it starts getting crowded. No snakes, Bugs or bears in January, But there was plenty of bear evidence left behind were we hiked. read more
Beautiful views, things to do and relaxing time away. The trails we saw were all well marked and one of the ones we did have a DNR staff member at the parking lot for any questions and for safety during copperhead season. This is a must see if you are in Kentucky read more
This is an amazing and beautiful 1.25 mile loop hike. This is a moderate hike because there are several rock staircases that need to be navigated. This is one of the more popular shorter hikes in the Red River Gorge. If you prefer to walk down stairs I would suggest starting on the right hand side parking lot About the half way point you come across Creation Falls, a pretty waterfall with a nice beach (yes there is a lot of sand there) area that's nice to sit and relax or have a picnic. Just past the falls you come across Rock Bridge Arch. Again it's very sandy and you can walk under it in the river. Both places are great to take off your shoes and wade. As always in the RRG, enjoy yourself and remember you are in nature. Also please pack any trash you bring. We all want to enjoy nature's beauty. At the trailhead there are restrooms, trash cans, and picnic tables too. read more
This is my second time I went to Red River gorge and it was great. I'm a avid hiker and Red River Gorge has so much to offer. My friend and I hike the Arch and did the trail backwards. Which was a great idea. The trail cans be difficult in certain areas, but it's a great workout and views are amazing. I learned do not follow Waze directions if you are going to the Arch. You will not get there. I followed directions given by a friend it saves me about 30 minutes. Overall, great place. read more
4 years ago
Best place to hike so many trails for all levels the views are extremely beautiful. Pictures from chimney top, rock bridge and princess arch read more
Like....DUH. Five stars. TEN stars. FIFTEEN STARS!! I've only been here once, but I can't wait to go back again! Maybe noooot when it is almost 100 degrees out... It is a decent jaunt a ways out from Louisville. I had been worried that this would need to be an overnight trip and not a day trip...but with an early enough wake up time, a day trip to RRG is absolutely do-able. Breathtaking beauty. Gorgeous natural landscapes. Oodles and oodles of trails to choose from, and they are well-maintained and (thankfully) well-marked. We parked in the first lot we came upon entering the park. Just up the road was a trailhead for the Rough Trail (....aptly named, guys). We followed it and took a side jaunt to see Gray's Arch...because you can't go to RRG and not see an arch! In all, we hiked around 8 miles (probably a little more) in 5 hours, with stops for photos, rests, water, and peeing. Speaking of peeing....at the campsites and parking lots there are 'facilities'. If you are a diva and need flushy toilets, you are going to be sorely disappointed. These are decently maintained permanent holes in the ground. Which makes sense for the park. I was so glad and pleased that every one I made use of had clean, dry toilet paper! That is all that *I* really want or need! You guys. It's just...so pretty. If you are outdoors-y at all...get thee here! There are lots of trails or varying length and difficulty to choose from, so don't be scared! Be sure to bring LOTS of water with you, especially in the summer. Stop once in a while and enjoy what's around you. read more
I'm going to go ahead and say this place deserves about 350(tree-fiddy) stars. If you don't get my 350 joke(inquire with my front desk). I've been here a few times to hike, backpack, camp, camp alone, and enjoy this beautiful gem in KY. On my most recent visit, it was nearly 100 degrees, humid, and surprisingly busy. A portion of our hike was in a busier area, but the majority of it was enjoyed on the trails by ourselves. I love day hikes here and with an early enough start... you can take out the miles and still make it back in time for your evening dinner and drinks. I'm so used to traveling back home from Louisville that it seems like RRG is next door. Honestly, it's right around 2-2 1/2 hours from Louisville so keep that in mind when you're trip planning. It's bizarre to me. You can jump on portions of the Sheltowee here and be blown away by the environment around you. You go to another part of the Sheltowee(let's pick the Cumberland Falls area portion) and it's an entirely different type of beauty. The same goes for Big South Fork. Backpackers tackling the entire 300+ mile trail have stories I'm sure. One of my favorite things about RRG is camping there. With little to no light pollution and on nights where the sky is cloudless... being a space nerd, it makes me speechless to even think about it! There are trails of all types here. Some of them marked and others unmarked(you can buy books with the unmarked trails)-Please don't get lost by venturing off trail if you have no sense of where you're going! I normally stick to the Clifty Wilderness but this last time we hiked along the Rough Trail, Gray's Arch(for obvious reasons-my last name), Rush Ridge Trail, small gravel road, and then made our way back on the Daniel Boone Hut Trail/Rough Trail. It ended up being between 8-9 miles in 5-5 1/2 hours. It was a great hike to spend the day on. My only complaint would be some areas on the Rough Trail. You can obviously tell that areas have been cleared out to camp close to the trail... CAMP AT LEAST 300 FEET AWAY FROM THE TRAIL PEOPLE! I'm hoping to visit again at the end of August/First of September. I'm hoping for a Labor day weekend exploration trip. After all, I've been all over the Clifty area... I need to explore the rest! Bring lots of water. One of the worst things is to be out in the middle of nowhere without water and dripping sweat! Also keep your wits about you. There are plenty of cliffs that you could fall off to your death. For my own comfort, I usually have a can of bear spray strapped to my belt. I've never used it, but I'd rather have it than not have it and need it! There are plenty of places along the trail where you can find refuge from the heat or take a small break. Some of those spots are hidden, but they have great views if you can find them. I'm excited for Autumn this year. I've never visited the Gorge when the leaves are changing! That's a task that must be completed this year! If you like the outdoors at all then you absolutely have to spend a day here. If you don't like the outdoors then you also have to spend a day here. The RRG will turn you into a fan! read more
Red River Gorge National Geologic Area is one of Kentucky's most beautiful outdoor spaces. Nestled within the Daniel Boone Forest, this is one of the best spots for hiking, rock climbing, and camping in all of the southeast. You can easily spend a few days here exploring trails. The Gorge is notable for its natural arch formations. Trails range from easy to strenuous -- some are quite lengthy and over rugged terrain. There is a beautiful driving loop trail, but part of it is currently closed off due to a collapsed section of road (so you'll need to plan your route and trail selection carefully to minimize backtracking). The loop also features an incredible one way tunnel. Red River Gorge is pet friendly. My favorite spot in the Gorge is Sky Bridge, which is a short hike over a natural arch formation that provides stunning 360 views of the gorge and Daniel Boone Forest. I also love the double arch, but it is a longer hike and parts of the trail are difficult. Other favorite short hikes include Princess Arch and Angel's Windows. Many of the trails also feature waterfalls. Be aware that many of the Gorge trails are adjacent to steep drop offs -- if there's no railing, you'll want to maintain a safe distance from the edge. It's tempting to get close to take stunning pictures, but be mindful that several people have been injured or fallen to their death doing just that. I'm from Kentucky originally and this is certainly one of the "must see" attractions if you are visiting the Bluegrass state. If you get hungry, there are a couple of good local eateries nearby (Miguel's and Sky Bridge)! read more
If I can, I will have my rating 10 or a 100!!! It's such an amazing place to visit. The photos don't do any justice on how majestic and simple gorgeous and beautiful the views are. I encourage everyone to visit this place. Red river gorge is very big- it has a lot to offer. We went to several trails, did the sky lift, tried several gift shops and restaurants, and many other things I want to try such as camping, kayaking, etc. we will definitely come back and try the tree houses The gorge in general seemed to be well kept and maintained. The trails were marked appropriately and due to recents storms and rain, some of the trails were closed off for hiker's safety. Because of the recent pandemic, I can observed that the parks staff seemed to observe appropriate precautions to meet the new standards for everyone's safety: staff was wearing masks and gloves and the lifts or sits were sprayed after each use. read more
8 years ago
7 years ago
This was an amazing place. I just did the natural bridge but it was gorgeous. It was about a 45 minute drive from Lexington. The trail was very easy and very well maintained. The views from the top were amazing and unexpected. If visiting from out of town, i highly recommended this spot! read more
Wow. One of my favorite places in the world. Perfect for a weekend of hiking - most trails are pretty short, but even the longer ones can be done in a few hours. We covered about 20 miles in two days, but more or less could easily be done. There is lots to see and lots of trail options (Starting at .25 miles, there really is a hike for everyone.) My favorite trails: Auxier Ridge around Courthouse Rock and Double Arch Silvermine Arch Gray's Arch (the longer loop) Rock Bridge Stop in at the Gladie Center and they can walk you through it - difficultly of the trails, time it will take to hike, etc. Very helpful staff. Take your time, watch your step, and enjoy the perfect views. read more
11 years ago
There's nothing quite like exploring your own state and the nature it has to offer. That's all I did this past weekend and I'm so glad to have finally made it to the Red River Gorge. Currently living in Louisville, this beautiful part of Kentucky is only about a 2 hour drive for me. It makes for an excellent day trip (which is what we did) or if you'd rather stay longer it's perfect for camping. Only visiting for a day did limit how much of the gorge we were able to explore (plus we were planning on going to the natural bridge as well). This park seems huge to me with many trails to choose from. Some of the trails seem more well-marked than others, but I like the challenge of the lesser marked trails. In all honesty I can't remember the name of the trail we hiked (I knew I should have taken a picture of the sign). It started right along the river and not too far into the trail we found a little beach area packed with other visitors. Here there was a very large rock that people were climbing up by rope and jumping off into the water. We chose to hike longer and on our way back we jumped off the rock to cool down. Everyone we came across on the trail was super friendly. TONS of people had their dogs with them which was exciting for 3 dog-deprived college students. We came across several people canoeing and kayaking through the river while we were hiking and swimming. Every one of them was courteous and made sure we knew they were coming instead of just barreling through. With the size of the park it's definitely a place I need (and want) to revisit. I had a great day trip with my friends and I know there's much more of the beautiful park to explore. I'd love to come back and camp here for a weekend! read more
10 years ago
This place deserves all the stars! Seriously, all of them. This place has so many trails with varying difficulties so there is something for both experienced and amateur hikers. A number of the popular spots are particular accessible, so that everyone can enjoy them. It's worth stopping by the visitor's center to get a map and ask for any places worth seeing if you're lost at where to start. Some of the places I've been to were: the Sky Bridge, Princess Arch, the Chimney Rock, and the Whistling Arch. All were beautiful! Because the park is so expansive yet accessible, it's possible to make a day trip out of this park but it also has plenty to do for an extended stay. I was also impressed by how well these trails were maintained. There was recent work done by Sky Bridge to update some of the stairways along the path. Access to the park is free and you only need a parking pass/camping permit if you plan to stay in the park overnight. read more
I have been visiting Red River Gorge since my 7th grade year. I used to go with a friends family , we would rent a cabin , spend all day hiking then come back to relax. Now as a junior in college I frequent the gorge monthly. It's about an hour and a half from Cincinnati & can be a day trip if you head out early. I have brought all of my friends here. The trails are never ending. The sites are breath taking. Tree formations, rock formations, bridges, waterfalls, lakes, caves, just beautiful. A camping pass for 3 nights is only $15 !! While there are a few campgrounds you can also rough camp , hiking to a spot and setting up camp in the national park! I can't say enough about this amazing area of Kentucky. read more
Incredible rock formations (i.e. natural bridges/arches)! Awesome panoramic views! November weather in the 60s! My friends and I couldn't have picked a better time or place to go backpacking this past weekend. I've been coming to Red River Gorge for years, and it never ceases to amaze me. It is popular year-round because it is beautiful year-round! read more
Take a deep breath of fresh air on top of the rolling hills and beautiful rock fixtures. This place is absolutely breathtaking. We rented out a cabin and enjoyed the brisk fall breeze rolling through the woods as we sat around the campfire. We went hiking everyday. One trail was horribly marked, but the rest are very easy to navigate. They are a bit intense, so be prepared! The views are the things that get me every time though. I find myself going back through my photos at least once a month as the nature, the rock structures, the cabin, the hills, everything is just gorgeous here! A definite must-stop if you're into camping and hiking! read more
Absolutely, positively wonderful place to hike. Be warned that it does get packed on weekends so try to come early if you can. There are so many trails to choose from and each varies in level of intensity. I recommend the Auxier Ridge Trail and Greys Arch as those provide beautiful viewpoints. Lots of rocks to climb as well and many people camp too. read more
I originally visited Red River Gorge about 10 years ago for a school trip, so when I got the opportunity to come back I couldn't resist. Absolutely gorgeous views, anytime of the year! We went on a day hike throughout the park and were able to see several of the highlights. The park has roads that can lead you to parking lots close to several of the views so you don't have to hike long distances if you don't want to. We started off at Gray's arch. A pro tip- the map says it is a 0.3 mile mile hike... that is quite the underestimation. Our firbits said it was a little over 3 miles for the loop. The hike is rough with lots of hills, stairs, rocks, and steep cliffs, but final view is so worth it. We then took our car through Nada Tunnel. If you are even slightly claustrophobic or afraid of tunnels... do not go through here. I personally loved every second but I would understand why people would be afraid. After the tunnel we were able to see Sky Bridge, Rock Bridge Arch, Creation Falls, and Devil's Canyon. Amazing views and so many good memories made here. As this is in bear country, there are precautions to take. Luckily, most maps at entrances list these out (hike only during sunlight hours, don't approach bears, watch your food). I will look forward for my next trip here! read more
9 years ago
This is one of the best hidden gems on the east coast. It's like a whole other world. From kayaking, to hiking, to rock climbing, to bicycles and motorcycles. Cabins and good food. No real strong cell phone signal. It's just the place to get away or take the day off and enjoy life and all it's treasures. This place has many different areas to explore. Some private, some public. Always bring enough water and maybe some snacks. Let some friends know your going exploring, if you decide to go camp on your own. Other then staying safe, have the most fun and enjoy all the great trails and different activities. Sky bridge trail is a long one. If your capable, it is a must! read more
7 years ago
This is such an amazing place. Tons of hiking, and cool rocks and scenery. The natural bridge, and sky bridge are both breath taking scenes. There are also many huge cliffs to look off upon, they are such a thrill. read more
7 years ago
I've been hiking and climbing in the Gorge for over 40 years. It is breathtaking. Unfortunately, many people see it as an escape from the confines of civilization and feel anything goes... cutting down young pines for firewood??? Carving their initials in the sandstone? Ignoring the number one rule of the forest: "Leave No Trace. Leave nothing, take only photos." As humanity increases, so does the detrimental pressure on our wild places. Especially at a time when budgets for National Parks and Forests are at an all-time low. Please have respect and reverence for the few places we have left. Be good stewards of the Earth and be someone your children will look up to. So they may follow you and do the same... read more
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More info about Red River Gorge
3451 Sky Bridge Rd
Stanton, KY 40380
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(606) 663-8100
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