Things to do in Red River Gorge
Whether you are gearing up to hit the trails, or looking for somewhere to cool off, there are lots of different options!
They have a pool, several hiking trails, hoedown island, a sky lift, and more!
The Original Natural Bridge Hike
1.5 mile round trip
Address: 2135 Natural Bridge Rd. Slade, KY
From the cabins: go out to the main road (715) and turn left. Turn right on KY 11, and drive for about 6 miles. Turn left onto Natural Bridge State Park Road A, and then right onto Hemlock Lodge Road. Drive up the hill to your left, park at the lodge. Walk behind the lodge to the left and around the building and you will see the trail. Turn right up the trail, you’ll want to follow the signs for the “original trail.” Great views, classic Red River Gorge landmark. I highly recommend walking to the left once you are on top of the bridge and explore, the opposite direction of the gazebo/shelter, toward the ski lift (toward lookout point) under the ski lift and continue along the trail and it will give you a view of the bridge.
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Natural Bridge State Resort Park
2135 Natural Bridge RdWhether you are gearing up to hit the trails, or looking for somewhere to cool off, there are lots of different options!
They have a pool, several hiking trails, hoedown island, a sky lift, and more!
The Original Natural Bridge Hike
1.5 mile round trip
Address: 2135 Natural Bridge Rd. Slade, KY
From the cabins: go out to the main road (715) and turn left. Turn right on KY 11, and drive for about 6 miles. Turn left onto Natural Bridge State Park Road A, and then right onto Hemlock Lodge Road. Drive up the hill to your left, park at the lodge. Walk behind the lodge to the left and around the building and you will see the trail. Turn right up the trail, you’ll want to follow the signs for the “original trail.” Great views, classic Red River Gorge landmark. I highly recommend walking to the left once you are on top of the bridge and explore, the opposite direction of the gazebo/shelter, toward the ski lift (toward lookout point) under the ski lift and continue along the trail and it will give you a view of the bridge.
Tons of hiking trails for many different fitness levels! See below for some of the favorites. Includes directions from the cabin.
Hiking in the Gorge
Rock Bridge/Creation Falls
~1.5 mile out and back trail
Address: Rock Bridge Rd Campton, Kentucky 41301
From the cabin: Go out to main road, turn right from Smith Road back onto KY 715. Drive 4.2 miles until you come to the intersection with the Marathon Gas station. Turn left here onto KY 15N/715N, go past “Dessi Scott School on Ky 715, then turn right to follow 715 on Sky Bridge Road, passing Sky Bridge Station on your right. Look for Rock Bridge sign when first entering the park on your right. The road is on the right, then go about 3 miles to the parking lot. The trail is about 1.5 miles round trip and takes about 1.5 hrs to hike w/out lounging time included. There’s a nice pool of water and small beach on the down streamside of the falls.
Chimney Top Hike
~.5 mile round trip out and back on a paved path to an overlook
From the cabin: Go out to main road, turn right from Smith Road back onto KY 715. Drive 4.2 miles until you come to the intersection with the Marathon Gas station. Turn left here onto KY 15N/715N, go past “Dessi Scott School on Ky 715, then turn right to follow 715 on Sky Bridge Road, passing Sky Bridge Station on your right. Follow 715, look for Chimney Top Drive. It will be on your left, a gravel road, follow it to the end about 5 miles. This hike is very easy, ~.5 mile in length and great view.
Princess Arch Hike
~.6 mile round trip out and back
From the cabin: Go out to main road, turn right from Smith Road back onto KY 715. Drive 4.2 miles until you come to the intersection with the Marathon Gas station. Turn left here onto KY 15N/715N, go past “Dessi Scott School on Ky 715, then turn right to follow 715 on Sky Bridge Road, passing Sky Bridge Station on your right. Follow 715, look for Chimney Top Drive. It will be on your left, a gravel road, follow it to the end about 5 miles. Easy hike, with great forest setting and rock formations.
The Original Natural Bridge Hike
1.5 mile round trip
Address: 2135 Natural Bridge Rd. Slade, KY
From the cabins: go out to the main road (715) and turn left. Turn right on KY 11, and drive for about 6 miles. Turn left onto Natural Bridge State Park Road A, and then right onto Hemlock Lodge Road. Drive up the hill to your left, park at the lodge. Walk behind the lodge to the left and around the building and you will see the trail. Turn right up the trail, you’ll want to follow the signs for the “original trail.” Great views, classic Red River Gorge landmark. I highly recommend walking to the left once you are on top of the bridge and explore, the opposite direction of the gazebo/shelter, toward the ski lift (toward lookout point) under the ski lift and continue along the trail and it will give you a view of the bridge.
Angel’s Windows
~.6 mile trail round trip
From the cabin: Go out to main road, turn right from Smith Road back onto KY 715. Drive 4.2 miles until you come to the intersection with the Marathon Gas station. Turn left here onto KY 15N/715N, go past “Dessi Scott School on Ky 715, then turn right to follow KY-715 on Sky Bridge Road, passing Sky Bridge Station on your right. Follow KY-715 until you see the sign for angels Windows. This hike is about ¼ mile 1 way. Very easy and quick.
Whistling Arch
.5 mile trail round trip
From the cabin: Go out to main road, turn right from Smith Road back onto KY 715. Drive 4.2 miles until you come to the intersection with the Marathon Gas station. Turn left here onto KY 15N/715N, go past “Dessi Scott School on Ky 715, then turn right to follow KY-715 on Sky Bridge Road, passing Sky Bridge Station on your right. Follow KY-715 until you see the sign for Whistler’s Arch. The hike is about ¼ mile in length 1 way, view pretty good on the right side of the arch (arch is on left side of huge rock, go down right side of rock). If you feel adventurous, climb up on huge rock for much better view.
Indian Staircase ***THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL TRAIL**:
~3 miles round trip out and back
From the cabin: Go out to main road, turn right from Smith Road back onto KY 715. Drive 4.2 miles until you come to the intersection with the Marathon Gas station. Turn left here onto KY 15N/715N, go past “Dessi Scott School on Ky 715, then turn right to follow KY-715 on Sky Bridge Road, passing Sky Bridge Station on your right. Follow KY-715 past Sky Bridge Road, and continue down 715 until you see signs for Gladie Historic Site/Visitor Center. Do not turn into Gladie Historic Site/Visitor Center, but continue on past this, go across the bridge and take a right into the parking lot immediately after the bridge. You are going to be getting on at Bison Way Trailhead. Starting at the Bison Way Trailhead #210. You'll take this until you come to the intersection of the Sheltowee Trace Trail #100. Go left. 1/4 mile later, you can turn right (north) on an unmarked, but well worn trail to take the easier route up Indian Staircase.
This is just past the sign that says stay on trail. This is quite the incline. Keeping going until you get to the base of Indian Staircase. Make sure to use extreme caution in climbing this! You'll be able to see the etched stairs to go up. After the scramble up to the ridgeline, you'll see a magnificent overlook.
Raven Rock
Address: 3945 Nada Tunnel Rd Stanton, KY 40380
3.5 mile trail out and back
From the cabins: go out to the main road (715) and turn left. Turn right on KY 11, and drive 8.6 miles back to Mountain Parkway at the Slade exit. DO NOT GET ON. You are going to go under the overpass, and turn left onto KY-11 N/KY-15 N for 1.5 miles.
Turn right onto KY-77 N and you’ll drive for 3.9 mi. Turn left onto Fishtrap Rd and then Turn right onto Raven Rock Rd. If you come to a bridge, you have gone to far.
From Bison Way Trailhead:
Turn right out of the parking lot from Bison Way Trailhead. Drive on 715 N for 3.2 miles and then turn left onto Turn left onto KY-77 S for 1.2 miles. Turn right onto Fishtrap Rd and then Turn right onto Raven Rock Rd
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Red River Gorge
Tons of hiking trails for many different fitness levels! See below for some of the favorites. Includes directions from the cabin.
Hiking in the Gorge
Rock Bridge/Creation Falls
~1.5 mile out and back trail
Address: Rock Bridge Rd Campton, Kentucky 41301
From the cabin: Go out to main road, turn right from Smith Road back onto KY 715. Drive 4.2 miles until you come to the intersection with the Marathon Gas station. Turn left here onto KY 15N/715N, go past “Dessi Scott School on Ky 715, then turn right to follow 715 on Sky Bridge Road, passing Sky Bridge Station on your right. Look for Rock Bridge sign when first entering the park on your right. The road is on the right, then go about 3 miles to the parking lot. The trail is about 1.5 miles round trip and takes about 1.5 hrs to hike w/out lounging time included. There’s a nice pool of water and small beach on the down streamside of the falls.
Chimney Top Hike
~.5 mile round trip out and back on a paved path to an overlook
From the cabin: Go out to main road, turn right from Smith Road back onto KY 715. Drive 4.2 miles until you come to the intersection with the Marathon Gas station. Turn left here onto KY 15N/715N, go past “Dessi Scott School on Ky 715, then turn right to follow 715 on Sky Bridge Road, passing Sky Bridge Station on your right. Follow 715, look for Chimney Top Drive. It will be on your left, a gravel road, follow it to the end about 5 miles. This hike is very easy, ~.5 mile in length and great view.
Princess Arch Hike
~.6 mile round trip out and back
From the cabin: Go out to main road, turn right from Smith Road back onto KY 715. Drive 4.2 miles until you come to the intersection with the Marathon Gas station. Turn left here onto KY 15N/715N, go past “Dessi Scott School on Ky 715, then turn right to follow 715 on Sky Bridge Road, passing Sky Bridge Station on your right. Follow 715, look for Chimney Top Drive. It will be on your left, a gravel road, follow it to the end about 5 miles. Easy hike, with great forest setting and rock formations.
The Original Natural Bridge Hike
1.5 mile round trip
Address: 2135 Natural Bridge Rd. Slade, KY
From the cabins: go out to the main road (715) and turn left. Turn right on KY 11, and drive for about 6 miles. Turn left onto Natural Bridge State Park Road A, and then right onto Hemlock Lodge Road. Drive up the hill to your left, park at the lodge. Walk behind the lodge to the left and around the building and you will see the trail. Turn right up the trail, you’ll want to follow the signs for the “original trail.” Great views, classic Red River Gorge landmark. I highly recommend walking to the left once you are on top of the bridge and explore, the opposite direction of the gazebo/shelter, toward the ski lift (toward lookout point) under the ski lift and continue along the trail and it will give you a view of the bridge.
Angel’s Windows
~.6 mile trail round trip
From the cabin: Go out to main road, turn right from Smith Road back onto KY 715. Drive 4.2 miles until you come to the intersection with the Marathon Gas station. Turn left here onto KY 15N/715N, go past “Dessi Scott School on Ky 715, then turn right to follow KY-715 on Sky Bridge Road, passing Sky Bridge Station on your right. Follow KY-715 until you see the sign for angels Windows. This hike is about ¼ mile 1 way. Very easy and quick.
Whistling Arch
.5 mile trail round trip
From the cabin: Go out to main road, turn right from Smith Road back onto KY 715. Drive 4.2 miles until you come to the intersection with the Marathon Gas station. Turn left here onto KY 15N/715N, go past “Dessi Scott School on Ky 715, then turn right to follow KY-715 on Sky Bridge Road, passing Sky Bridge Station on your right. Follow KY-715 until you see the sign for Whistler’s Arch. The hike is about ¼ mile in length 1 way, view pretty good on the right side of the arch (arch is on left side of huge rock, go down right side of rock). If you feel adventurous, climb up on huge rock for much better view.
Indian Staircase ***THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL TRAIL**:
~3 miles round trip out and back
From the cabin: Go out to main road, turn right from Smith Road back onto KY 715. Drive 4.2 miles until you come to the intersection with the Marathon Gas station. Turn left here onto KY 15N/715N, go past “Dessi Scott School on Ky 715, then turn right to follow KY-715 on Sky Bridge Road, passing Sky Bridge Station on your right. Follow KY-715 past Sky Bridge Road, and continue down 715 until you see signs for Gladie Historic Site/Visitor Center. Do not turn into Gladie Historic Site/Visitor Center, but continue on past this, go across the bridge and take a right into the parking lot immediately after the bridge. You are going to be getting on at Bison Way Trailhead. Starting at the Bison Way Trailhead #210. You'll take this until you come to the intersection of the Sheltowee Trace Trail #100. Go left. 1/4 mile later, you can turn right (north) on an unmarked, but well worn trail to take the easier route up Indian Staircase.
This is just past the sign that says stay on trail. This is quite the incline. Keeping going until you get to the base of Indian Staircase. Make sure to use extreme caution in climbing this! You'll be able to see the etched stairs to go up. After the scramble up to the ridgeline, you'll see a magnificent overlook.
Raven Rock
Address: 3945 Nada Tunnel Rd Stanton, KY 40380
3.5 mile trail out and back
From the cabins: go out to the main road (715) and turn left. Turn right on KY 11, and drive 8.6 miles back to Mountain Parkway at the Slade exit. DO NOT GET ON. You are going to go under the overpass, and turn left onto KY-11 N/KY-15 N for 1.5 miles.
Turn right onto KY-77 N and you’ll drive for 3.9 mi. Turn left onto Fishtrap Rd and then Turn right onto Raven Rock Rd. If you come to a bridge, you have gone to far.
From Bison Way Trailhead:
Turn right out of the parking lot from Bison Way Trailhead. Drive on 715 N for 3.2 miles and then turn left onto Turn left onto KY-77 S for 1.2 miles. Turn right onto Fishtrap Rd and then Turn right onto Raven Rock Rd
Your headquarters for Via Ferrata climbing, guided rock climbing and guided rappelling services!
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Southeast Mountain Guides
1617 KY-11Your headquarters for Via Ferrata climbing, guided rock climbing and guided rappelling services!
Thrillsville Adventure Park
693 Natural Bridge RdMuir Valley is a nonprofit rock climbing and nature preserve in the Red River Gorge of Kentucky. The Valley is approximately 360 acres in size and walled in by over seven miles of majestic cliffs of hard Corbin Sandstone that range in height from 20 feet to over 200 feet. Over 400 climbs – both trad and sport – provide a spectacular experience to visitors from all over the world. Waterfalls, caves, and mountain streams add to the natural beauty. Mountain laurel, rhododendron, and many other species of wildflowers and plants grace the valley floor and hillsides.
There is no charge for admission to Muir Valley to climb. There is a daily parking fee of $10 per vehicle that is collected at the parking lot. Or, you can click on the button below to purchase an Annual Parking Permit for $120.
While there's a smattering of trad lines, the climbing in Muir Valley is mostly sport. Muir has a reputation for soft grading, but don't take it for granted. There's also a lot of variety in the valley; new leaders can have fun at places like the Great Wall or Bruise Brothers, while hard climbers can throw themselves at the 12s and 13s of the Sanctuary.
Website: www.muirvalley.com
Location:
48 Muir Rd, Rogers, KY 41365
http://www.muirvalley.com/maps---directions.html
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Muir Valley Nature Preserve and Climbing Area
48 Muir Rd
Muir Valley is a nonprofit rock climbing and nature preserve in the Red River Gorge of Kentucky. The Valley is approximately 360 acres in size and walled in by over seven miles of majestic cliffs of hard Corbin Sandstone that range in height from 20 feet to over 200 feet. Over 400 climbs – both trad and sport – provide a spectacular experience to visitors from all over the world. Waterfalls, caves, and mountain streams add to the natural beauty. Mountain laurel, rhododendron, and many other species of wildflowers and plants grace the valley floor and hillsides.
There is no charge for admission to Muir Valley to climb. There is a daily parking fee of $10 per vehicle that is collected at the parking lot. Or, you can click on the button below to purchase an Annual Parking Permit for $120.
While there's a smattering of trad lines, the climbing in Muir Valley is mostly sport. Muir has a reputation for soft grading, but don't take it for granted. There's also a lot of variety in the valley; new leaders can have fun at places like the Great Wall or Bruise Brothers, while hard climbers can throw themselves at the 12s and 13s of the Sanctuary.
Website: www.muirvalley.com
Location:
48 Muir Rd, Rogers, KY 41365
http://www.muirvalley.com/maps---directions.html