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There is nothing like the fall in the south (or almost south). Mix the cool, crisp air with nature’s changing colors and you have perfect conditions for a great weekend outdoors.
One of my favorite spots in Kentucky (besides the Bourbon Trail) is Red River Gorge. There are so many great hiking trails that lead you to sandstone arches carved out by nature over thousands of years.
If you’re looking for a weekend getaway or road trip this fall, look no further than the gorge. From where to stay and places to eat to the best time of year to go and things to do, here’s how you can plan a weekend to Red River Gorge.
what is Red River Gorge?
Red River Gorge is a geological area located inside Daniel Boone National Forest in east-central Kentucky, just 55 minutes southwest of Lexington, KY. It’s the only geological area east of the Rocky Mountains that has sandstone arches, a mix of rock shelters, jagged cliffs, and natural forming bridges and waterfalls.
With over 150 sandstone arches within the geological area’s 29,000 acres, the gorge is designated as a National Natural Landmark. Only 599 sites have been added to the national registry which is testament to the gorge’s beauty.
Daniel Boone Forest encompasses Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge State Park. That means when you visit the gorge, you can also plan activities and hiking in Natural Bridge State Park.
when is the best time of year to go?
Kentucky experiences all four seasons - spring, summer, fall and winter. In the summer, daytime temperatures average 87 degrees with a high UV index. Winter temperature lows average around 23 degrees and often come with hazardous conditions from snow and ice.
Depending on what you want to do, the gorge is a great place to visit really any time of year. While many people plan their trips to Red River Gorge in the spring, summer, and fall, even the winter can be a good time to visit.
Because the gorge is an outdoor area, the best time of year to go is in the spring and fall. During the springtime, Kentucky starts to turn from brown and lifeless to full of color and foliage. Beginning in mid-to-late September, the change to the fall season brings out shades of yellow, red, and orange. And, as the colors change, so does the temperature. Kentucky’s fall temperatures are cool and crisp - perfect for hiking and camping.
If you’re planning your first or one-time visit to Red River Gorge, my recommendation is to visit in the fall -- anytime between mid-September and mid-November.
where to stay near the gorge
When you’re booking your trip and looking for places to stay, you’ll want to look for places near Slade, KY. The hotels and resorts in the area will likely be the cheaper accommodation option, but if you’re looking for a different experience, a cabin or yurt is a good option. If you’re looking for added amenities like a hot tub, book a cabin. If you’re looking for an experience that’s closer to camping, book a yurt. Or if you’re feeling really adventurous, the gorge is a great place for camping.
places to eat around Red River Gorge
Even though you’re in the middle of a national forest, there are still great, local places to grab a bite to eat. One of my favorite places is Miguel’s Pizza. It’s quaint, locally owned, and exactly what you’d expect from a rural pizza place serving more than just pizza (breakfast, sandwiches, salads, and baked bowls). Red River Rockhouse is another great local restaurant that boasts a farm to table menu with a little bit of everything on it (breakfast, burgers, burritos, tacos, and salads). And finally, Daniel Boone Coffee Shop is a great spot to grab good coffee and enjoy breakfast or lunch… or grab a drink from the bar.
There are other great spots to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner near the gorge, including chain restaurants. Though, I would recommend sticking to the local restaurants to get the real Kentucky experience while you’re there.
things to do at Red River Gorge
Rock Climbing: Red River Gorge is full of sandstone cliffs and recreational preserves that are great for avid rock climbers. There are three main rock climbing areas that the Bluegrass Climbing School has worked to secure and protect open, public access to rock climbing in the gorge area. If you’re planning on rock climbing, here is the list of preserves that provide open access to climbers:
If you’re interested in rock climbing but aren’t experienced, there are rock climbing and repelling guide services available. Red River Gorge Guide Services provide rock climbing classes for anyone who is just starting rock climbing or is an experienced rock climber.
Hiking: The gorge boasts plenty of great hiking trails that take you on a scenic exploration to lookouts. There are a lot of great hiking trails in the gorge (112 to be exact!), so it can be difficult to pick the best ones to explore during your stay. Fortunately, most are only a few miles long so getting multiple hikes in each day may be manageable for you. If you’re planning on hiking, here is a list of trails that give you the breathtaking views you’re looking for:
Rock Bridge Loop: 1.5 miles (easy)
Chimney Top Rock: 0.7 miles (easy)
Princess Arch: 0.6 miles (easy)
Natural Bridge: 1.2 miles (easy)
Half Moon Arch: 0.8 miles (moderate)
Hidden Arch: 2 miles (moderate)
Whittleton Arch: 2.6 miles (moderate)
Indian Staircase: 2.9 miles (moderate)
Silvermine Arch: 2.9 miles (moderate)
Gray’s Arch: 3.4 miles (moderate)
Double Arch, Courthouse Rock & Auxier Ridge: 5.9 miles (moderate)
Indian Staircase & Adena Arch: 2.3 miles (hard)
There are 112 hiking trails throughout Daniel Boone National Forest ranging from 0.6 miles to 38.1 miles and from 695 to 1,804 feet above sea level. For more hiking trails, check out All Trails for Daniel Boone National Forest trail maps, reviews, and information.
Zip Lining: If you’re feeling adventurous, but not as adventurous as rock climbing, zip lining through the gorge is an adrenaline packed activity that both adults and kids can do. Red River Gorge Ziplines has a two hour zipline adventure with five lines, including two side-by-side racing lines. The state-of-the-art zip lining tour includes two trained guides, as well as safety training and equipment to ensure a safe and worry-free experience. Zip lining tours start at $89.99 for adults and $69.99 for kids. Availability is limited so it’s best to book your tour well in advance.
Natural Bridge Sky Lift: Built in 1967, the Natural Bridge Sky Lift takes visitors through the Daniel Boone Natural Forest and Red River Gorge Geological Area. At the top of the lift there are over 900 tons of sandstone and a 1,200ft.scenic footpath to Lookout Point, the best viewing area to photograph Natural Bridge. Adult round trip tickets are $15.90 for adults, $14.84 for seniors (age 62+), $13.78 for military, and $12.72 for children (ages 4-12, children 3 and under ride for free). One way tickets can be purchased for $10.60; they can be purchased from the top or the bottom of the Skylift and can be used to ride either up or down.
Kayaking / Boat Tours: The Gorge Underground has both kayaking and boat tours that take you through the mountainside for an hour-long guided tour through a 100 year old flooded mine. The kayaking tour is led by guides and includes all the equipment needed for safe kayaking. Adults are $45 (ages 13+), youth are $45 (ages 8-12), and a lap child is $20 (ages 3-7). The boat tour is a family-friendly adventure for anyone ages 3 and up. Guides lead the cave boat through the Gorge Underground and include safety gear. Adults are $45 (ages 13+), youth are $25 (ages 8-12), and children are $10 (ages 3-7).
Scenic Byway: The Red River Gorge National Scenic Byway is a 46 mile drive starting in Stanton, KY and winding through the Red River Gorge and National Bridge State Park. Along the byway you’ll see views of stone arches and unique rock formations, as well as pass through the historic Nada Tunnel. The route has numerous overlooks and trails that lead to stone arches and waterfalls where you can get a first-hand look at the natural beauty of the Red River Gorge.
These are just a few things you can do while at the gorge. There’s also horseback riding, fishing, a drive-in movie theater, and much more.
know before you go — Kentucky alcohol laws
This is the pro-tip of all pro-tips for those who drink alcohol and plan to do so while at the gorge. If you haven’t travelled to Kentucky or aren’t aware of their alcohol sales laws, Kentucky is a state that has both wet and dry counties.
Kentucky has 120 counties: 39 are dry, 32 are wet, and 49 are moist. However, the state’s local option laws permit counties, cities, and voting precincts to vote wet, dry, or moist. This means that alcohol laws are constantly changing in Kentucky.
If you are staying in or near Slade, KY, you will be in Powell County. As of 2018, Powell County is a wet county. This means you will be able to buy alcohol at a gas station, grocery store, or liquor store. Though, when I was last there in October 2018, the quantity and types of alcohol that were sold in stores were limited. Though, with two years passing, it has likely changed. Still, if you are driving to the gorge and want to drink something specific, it may be best to bring alcohol with you.
If you’re not staying in Slade, KY, you could be staying in a different county. Be aware of the county that you will be staying in and their alcohol laws. Counties that border Powell County and are wet counties are: Montgomery, Clark, Estill, and Wolfe. Counties that border Powell County and are dry counties are: Bath, Lee, and Menifee.