1. Red River Gorge

    1. Red River Gorge

    0

    Stanton, KY

    Red River Gorge

    4.8 (61 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:30 pm

    Red River Gorge Photos

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    Toads Bar & Grill
    Casey B.

    Absolutely everything. The attractions, the hikes, the food, etc. It was home away from home!

    My son climbing at Bruise Brothers in Muir Valley (thanks Bluegrass climbing guides!)
    Jennifer K.

    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.

    End destination of Whittleton Arch Trail
    Emma S.

    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.

    Beautiful!
    Bailey D.

    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.

    Steve M.

    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.

    Butterfly
    John B.

    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.

    Red river gorge getaways
    Alyona Z.

    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.

    The view from Sky Bridge
    Desirae T.

    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.

    Rebekah N.

    Had an Amazing Time!! Beautiful Views, Great Hiking Trails. Would definitely recommend

    Watching it snow
    Scott M.

    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.

    Staci W.

    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

    Brian K.

    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.

    Tamika J.

    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.

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    Ask the Community - Red River Gorge

    Review Highlights - Red River Gorge

    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).

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    Natural Bridge State Resort Park - Rust at the bottom of the fridge which was pointed out in the hallway!

    Natural Bridge State Resort Park

    4.2(36 reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$

    Seems that many/most of the other reviews on this site are for the lodge or cabins--but "Natural…read moreBridge State Resort Park" is the actual park itself so that is what my review is for. I can't speak to the cabins, but as for the lodge my review is under "Hemlock Lodge" and it's a solid 4 despite a few cons. But for the park itself--a 5, hands down. A beautiful, well maintained park full of trails from easy to difficult and each with glimpses of wonderful natural beauty such as the main trail here that leads to the natural bridge. You can hike to the top of the bridge and walk it, then trek under neath it for a view of the arches, then to several overlooks to get a glimpse of it from a distance. I'd recommend doing all of the above as each is breath-taking. This area of KY has more natural arches than any place east of Utah and that doesn't get mentioned nearly enough. There's a local business on site at the park that sells passes to ride a ski lift to the top of the resort park trail where you can then trek to the natural bridge in 15 minutes or so (max) of moderate hiking. We opted for the one way pass and hiked down--a really great hike but one that is a bit more difficult and provides opportunities to slip and fall so if you're a casual at best hiker you may prefer the roundtrip lift. It's worth doing if you're up for it though, as it's a beautiful hike. Really great park in a really great location to use as a homebase to explore all of the red river gorge area which offers a lot of other great hikes and natural beauty.

    In the land of arches, Natural Bridge brings the bridge to you with a Sky Lift that climbs straight…read moreup the rock wall to drop you feet from the star feature. There are a few loop trails above for different views, above, below, ridge side, and even up close and personal with the fat man's squeeze down from the top. On Saturdays, a farmers market may be at the base offering local fares like breads, baked goods, honey, or even alpaca fur! The lakeside trail offers a suspension bridge, and on Saturday evenings there could be square dancing at Hoedown Island! Adjacent to the Red River Gorge, you can stay or dine at the Hemlock Lodge with a view of the pool and river below.

    Photos
    Natural Bridge State Resort Park - Don't worry because any one can fit through if you slide in sideways

    Don't worry because any one can fit through if you slide in sideways

    Natural Bridge State Resort Park - Going down....

    Going down....

    Natural Bridge State Resort Park - About 25 baby spiders inside the bedroom

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    About 25 baby spiders inside the bedroom

    Lower Howard's Creek Nature Preserve - Fall view at Lower Howard's Creek Nature Preserve

    Lower Howard's Creek Nature Preserve

    4.7(3 reviews)
    37.0 mi

    I must write a review of the area and the beginning of the trail to alert future hikers that it is…read moretemporarily closed due to abuse, vandalism/garbage. People were loud and using the creek as a pool, spray painting and damaging the trail/trashing the area. So, if you are headed down to hike on the John Holder Trail, as we were, you will find it closed. The area itself is lovely. Hall's on the River is great (and open during Covid), you can still canoe on the river, and the fort is close by and well worth a visit.

    It was too beautiful of a day in February to not try to get in a hike. Decided to head out on the…read moreJohn Holder Trail. The trails were pretty muddy after the snow melt but it was worth it. I would rate it a moderately easy there and back trail but with some beautiful views of the Lower Howard River. Total round trip is just under 3 miles. There is a point that you do cross the river so make sure you have either waterproof hiking boots or the river is low enough to get across. Please don't try to cross if it is deep or flowing fast. Nobody wants to get hurt or wet. There are some elevation changes and several historical sites. For this hike there was a lot of pretty ice hanging off the cliffs. There is a waterfall but that's off property so you shouldn't hike there. And after a day of hiking you can get soon food at Halls On The River and enjoy the scenery from there. As for parking, I usually park across the street from Halls but there is parking behind Halls too.

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    Lower Howard's Creek Nature Preserve
    Lower Howard's Creek Nature Preserve - Hiking the John Holder Trail at Lower Howard's Creek Nature Preserve

    Hiking the John Holder Trail at Lower Howard's Creek Nature Preserve

    Lower Howard's Creek Nature Preserve - Lower Howard's Creek Nature Preserve

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    Lower Howard's Creek Nature Preserve

    Red River Gorge - hiking - Updated July 2026

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