Kentucky’s Red River Gorge: 4 Unforgettable Outdoor Adventures
When I tell people I’m from Kentucky the first thing I get is “Oh, like KFC?” Ugh. Kentucky is also home to the Red River Gorge.
Located in eastern Kentucky, it’s a true gem. Still, it has somehow managed to stay off the radar for many people (even locals)!
Red River Gorge (RRG) is well-known as a National Geological Area. It also holds other designations: National Natural Landmark, National Archaeological District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Most Kentuckians may not know all of the options available in RRG. With hikes to (and on top of) sandstone arches, world-class rock climbing, and a 1,900-foot side-by-side zipline spending a long weekend or a week getting in touch with your inner adventurer is easy to do here.
This post will walk you through four ways to have an adventure-filled outdoor experience at Red River Gorge. Then, choose your adventure and come visit!
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Hiking Red River Gorge
There are hiking trails to beautiful places throughout Red River Gorge. Hiking is one of the most popular things to do in the gorge (as it’s known by locals). In the spring, you’ll find waterfalls, and in the fall, the leaves changing make hiking around the gorge a magical experience, no matter which hikes you pick. Details about three of my favorites are below, but I recommend this book to see all the best hiking options in the area.
Hike to Natural Bridge
The most popular hike in Red River Gorge is in the portion that is also in Natural Bridge State Resort Park. Natural Bridge is the iconic hike in the area. It’s the second biggest arch, but you can hike up to and on top of the massive stone arch. Even though it’s popular, dealing with the crowds is worth it. Try to start early to avoid as many people as possible.
Set your GPS to navigate to Natural Bridge Trailhead parking lot. The size of this lot will give you an indication of how busy the trail can be. After parking, follow the signs for the trail. You’ll cross a bridge and find a picnic area with some restrooms. The trail will be on your right as you leave the restrooms. It’s an obvious trail that you will have no trouble following.
The trail keeps a relatively easy grade but can definitely get your heart rate up with about 500 ft of elevation gain. There are shelters along the way, so you can stop and take a break as you need to.
The trees do a great job of hiding the arch. When you finally see it, it’s like the arch appears out of nowhere. Spend some time admiring the arch from underneath. It truly is spectacular.
After taking in the view, go under the arch and turn toward your left. You’ll see a narrow path known as Fat Man’s Misery.
Follow the path up, and you will come to the top of the arch.
Take caution here. There are no fences along the edges! There are some places for pictures, and this is a great place to stop for lunch or a snack if it’s too windy.
You can turn around here and head back down the way you came to make this a 1.5-mile hike.
I’d recommend that you continue toward Lookout Point/Lovers Leap. You’ll cross the arch and follow the Laural Ridge Trail to get here for an easy .4 miles.
This gets you to Lookout Point, and you can get a great picture of the whole arch with the scenery around it. Lookout Point is a large opening of sandstone that will be on your right.
This is my favorite spot on the trail. Many people who venture up don’t go this way, so you can get a little farther from the crowds.
Again, you can turn around from here and head back the way you came for a 2.3-mile hike, or you can continue and make it a loop that won’t be much longer.
If you’re interested in the loop, know that there is a stone staircase that can be a little intimidating.
It’s not that bad. I took a group of 40 high school students down it accidentally. They were in the wrong shoes, but it was still okay. That doesn’t mean I didn’t hold my breath for a few minutes as I watched them do it.
Continue on the trail toward Devil’s Gulch Trail. You’ll see a steep stone staircase on your right and then you’ll come to some wooden stairs. At the base of the stairs, turn right, and you’ll meet back up with the original trail and can head back down toward your car.
A skylift will take you up to the Lookout Point side of Natural Bridge, just in case someone in your party doesn’t want to do the hike.
Hike to Gray’s Arch
Gray’s arch is the largest arch in Red River Gorge at 50 ft tall and 80 ft wide. It is a 2.4 mile out and back. It is a little bit harder but far less busy than the hike to Natural Bridge. Start from the parking lot at Gray’s Arch Recreation Area.
Do not get suckered into parking off of Nada Tunnel Road.
GPS sometimes messes this up, making the hike much longer and more difficult.
After .2 miles, you’ll turn right onto the Rough Trail, and in .2 miles after the turnoff, you’ll be in an open meadow before starting to descend. You’ll begin to see the arch on your right. Descend and keep right when you come to the stairs (don’t follow the Rough Trail turnoff).
Stay on the trail as you wind around under the arch.
There is almost always water dripping.
Standing in the amphitheater under the arch is genuinely magical. Eat a snack or lunch or the arch, and then return the way you came.
There is also an option to continue and make this a loop trail, but the arch is enough for me.
Indian Staircase to Cloud Splitter Trail
This is the only hike that won’t be in the book. You’ll find some information about it under “Sheltowee Trace- Bison Way Loop.” Indian Staircase to Cloud Splitter is a favorite local trail that is only kind of official.
This is a 5.2-mile loop that is more of a commitment. I like to think of the Indian Staircase to Cloudsplitter trail as the younger cousin of Angel’s Landing in Zion; Exposure, views, and adrenaline without the switchbacks, chains, and crowds. If you aren’t into exposure or are afraid of heights, this may not be the hike for you. I love a little adrenaline rush, but I’d recommend shoes with stickier soles so you feel a little better about yourself on this hike.
If you’re interested in the hike, download the map and trail info from All Trails before you go. You won’t have service at the trailhead, and it is easy to go the wrong way on this trail. Navigate to Bison Way Trailhead. There will be plenty of parking here as well as a bathroom. The beginning of the Bison Way Trail trail is easy and flat. Go left to the junction with Sheltowee Trace (marked with white diamonds and white turtles). It will be an uphill part of the trail.
Hike to the Staircase
Hike for .3 miles. You’ll see a spur trail on your right. It is easy to miss, but it is faintly marked and will turn uphill again. This is the trail to Indian Staircase. At some point, the only way forward is up the rock. The Staircase is a series of dips in the rock that you use as stairs. If it is wet, do not attempt the stairs. This is where the exposure can be intimidating. It’s not difficult but if you fall it would not be good.
After the “stairs” follow the trail along to the top of the arch and take in the views. This is the highest point of the hike.
Follow the signs and the white turtles in the direction of Adena Arch and Little Arch. You’ll follow a series of switchbacks down the sandstone cliffs on the Sheltowee Trace Trail until you come to the Cloud Splitter part of the trail.
Hike to Cloudsplitter
Turn right to the Cloudsplitter trail and make your way to the rock formation. There will likely be a crowd here since this can be a shorter standalone out and back. You can use the rope to ascend, choose another path up, or wait at the bottom.
Follow the trail back down the way you come until you reach a path on your right to head down toward the road. Turn left on the road and follow it back to the parking area.
Rock Climbing Red River Gorge
Red River Gorge, known as The Red by climbers, is home to world-class rock climbing.
Kentucky is lucky to have access to climbing, but even most Kentuckians don’t know about it.
Some of the world’s most challenging and well-known routes can be found in The Red. The great news is that you can do plenty of climbs if you’re a beginner or want to try the sport.
Rock climbing isn’t something you can go out and do, like hiking. There are skills and equipment you need to keep yourself. Luckily, there are climbing guides in The Red who would love to take you out and show you around!
I recommend going with the Red River Climbing Guides. If you can swing it, a full day would be fantastic for a group. Outdoor climbing can move slowly with a group, and if you spend the time hiking to a wall, you should get the most out of it. The guides know where to take you and can show you some skills while you’re climbing too. They’ll help you get to the top and walk you through how to climb safely.
The folks at Southeast Mountain Guides can also take you climbing. They also have a via Ferrata if that’s more your speed.
Either way, bring lunch and snacks like you would if you were on a hike. You’ll be out at the climbing walls all day and will definitely want to make sure you have plenty to eat and drink.
Zipline Red River Gorge
Another way to get your adrenaline pumping is to take a zipline tour of the gorge. There are many places to zipline around the world, but I’ve never seen another one quite like the one in RRG.
This would be a shorter adventure than climbing, but you still get to experience some of the heights.
Red River Gorge ziplines will take you on 5 different lines. Two of them are side-by-side racing lines. You’ll be 300 ft up and will cross the whole gorge twice. One of the lines is 1,900 feet long!
It was so long I didn’t quite make it to the end on a windy day, and they had to pull me in! This is one of my favorite memories at the gorge, and if you have a few hours, I recommend you check it out.
Kayak/Canoe Red River Gorge
The Red River runs through the Red River Gorge. This makes for plenty of options for Kayak and Canoe. If you have your own boat, the most common put-in is Copperas Creek Canoe Launch. This allows a 10.5-mile class 1 experience that will take about 6 hours. Local companies offer shuttle services for you. Red River Adventure offers shuttles, but they also offer tours if you don’t have your own boat but want to do something like this.
At The Gorge Underground you can, canoe, kayak, or SUP in a 100-year-old mine that is now flooded. Tours are either 60 or 90 minutes, depending on your choice. The light-up SUP or kayaks are a unique way to see the mine.
Since this is in a mine, the temperature is always around 50 degrees. It’s also a great rainy day activity because you’re in the mine the whole time and can spend the sunnier days hiking and climbing!
Where to Stay in Red River Gorge
Red River Gorge has a variety of camping options. There are campsites with RV hookups at Natural Bridge State Resort Park and Whittleton Arch Campground or car and backcountry campsites throughout the gorge area.
Land of the Arches campground is one of the biggest in the area. Just be careful to avoid being there during Rocktober Fest since the whole place gets taken over during the event.
There are also rooms at Hemlock Lodge at Natural Bridge State Resort Park.
One of the best ways to stay in the park is in a cabin or treehouse rental. Check out Red River Gorgeous. They have many options depending on what you’re looking for. Plus, the name is just too perfect. You can find other cabin and treehouse rental options here.
Where to Eat in Red River Gorge
The Red is home to several excellent restaurants. The food is good, and you can get a glimpse of how big the rock climbing culture is in the area. There are always climbers everywhere.
Miguel’s Pizza
Miguel’s Pizza is my all-time favorite. They serve the best pizza after a long day of being outside. The menu can be a little confusing at first. You pick how many pieces of pizza you want. Then select your crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings. Then grab a seat inside or outside and watch (or play) some basketball. The team will yell your name (they did have a number system that is hopefully coming back soon), and then enjoy your pizza! Miguel’s does have gluten-free crust and vegan cheese. If you’re gluten-free, this is the place to eat.
Miguel’s is also home to a rock climber-only campground and climbing gear shop.
The line may be long on a busy day, so come early or plan to wait. It’s worth it, though! For non-pizza options, my husband loves the BLT. The rice and bean bowls take a long time to make, so if you’re hungry, avoid those. The obvious choice here is pizza, for sure.
Red River Rock House
Red River Rockhouse is another climber favorite. They are known for using locally sourced ingredients. The burritos are a big draw, but the whole menu is good. This is another place that will have a crowd on a busy day. Since it’s up on a hill with a small parking log, you may have to get creative. The food is worth it!
La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant
La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant is a relatively new addition to the line-up. Still, it’s become a fast favorite among people trying to avoid the crowds that can gather at Miguel’s or Rockhouse. Funny enough, it has led to this place having a busy parking lot with a group enjoying the indoor/outdoor bar after a long day outside. The large portions make it a great pick after a long day outside.
Thatcher BBQ Company
Thatcher BBQ Company is another fast favorite of those who frequent the gorge. Who doesn’t love BBQ after a day outside? It’s quick, and it’s delicious! Try the burgoo and the derby pie to get a taste of Kentucky BBQ.
See you soon at RRG
A trip to Red River Gorge is worth it if you’re into outdoor adventures! Camp, hike, play, and enjoy some great food while you’re at it!
I’ll see you there!
