Red River Gorge

The Red River Gorge is one of the most spectacular and beloved natural areas in Kentucky, a rugged canyon system carved into the Cumberland Plateau within the Daniel Boone National Forest of east-central Kentucky. Famed worldwide for its extraordinary concentration of natural sandstone arches — more than 100 of them, one of the greatest densities in the eastern United States — the gorge is a wonderland of towering cliffs, deep ravines, rock shelters and lush forest.

A National Natural Landmark and home to a federally designated Geological Area and the Clifton Down National Wild and Scenic River, the Red River Gorge draws hikers to its arches and overlooks and rock climbers from around the globe to its world-class sandstone cliffs — among the finest sport-climbing destinations on Earth. Trails wind to famous arches like Sky Bridge and Princess Arch, to cliff-top vistas and through fern-draped hollows. Wild, dramatic and biodiverse, the Red River Gorge is a treasured outdoor jewel of Kentucky.

The Red River Gorge is a premier destination for hiking to its many natural arches, cliff-top overlooks and rock shelters, and for world-class rock climbing on its sandstone cliffs, which draw climbers from around the globe. Beyond hiking and climbing, visitors enjoy backpacking, canoeing and kayaking on the Red River, camping, rappelling, photography and birding. The combination of more than 100 natural arches, dramatic cliffs and renowned climbing makes the gorge one of the most spectacular and beloved outdoor-adventure destinations in Kentucky and the eastern United States.

Spring and fall are prime — spring for wildflowers, waterfalls and fresh green, and fall for spectacular color across the gorge, a premier autumn destination. Climbers favor the cool, dry days of spring and fall. Summer is lush but warm and humid, and winter offers bare-cliff views and solitude. The arches, cliffs and overlooks reward visits year-round; fall color and the spring greenery and waterfalls are highlights. The popular areas are busy on spring and fall weekends, so arrive early.

The Red River Gorge has been used by people for thousands of years — Native Americans sheltered in its rock houses and left archaeological evidence of long habitation. In the 20th century, a proposed dam that would have flooded the gorge sparked a famous conservation battle, including a protest hike led by Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, that ultimately saved the gorge. Protected within the Daniel Boone National Forest as a Geological Area and National Natural Landmark, the Red River Gorge preserves its arches, cliffs and rich natural and human heritage.

The Red River Gorge’s arches and cliffs are carved from the Corbin sandstone of the Cumberland Plateau, a hard, erosion-resistant rock capping softer layers, into which the Red River and its tributaries have cut the deep gorge. The more than 100 natural arches formed as weathering and erosion wore through the sandstone, exploiting cracks and softer zones to leave spans of rock; the same processes created the towering cliffs, rock shelters and pinnacles. The interplay of the resistant sandstone and erosion over vast time produced this extraordinary arch-and-cliff landscape.

The forests, cliffs and Red River of the gorge host white-tailed deer, black bear (returning to the region), wild turkey, foxes, and a rich community of birds, including woodland species, hawks and vultures soaring along the cliffs, while the rock shelters and cliffs provide habitat for bats and the river supports fish. The biodiverse Cumberland Plateau forest supports abundant wildlife. The gorge is an excellent place for wildlife watching and birding amid its arches, cliffs and lush forest in east-central Kentucky.

The Red River Gorge is a National Natural Landmark of exceptional biodiversity, where the rugged sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, rock shelters, varied microclimates and lush Cumberland Plateau forest support an extraordinary array of plant and animal life, including rare and endemic species and unusual plant communities clinging to the cliffs and sheltered hollows. The Red River, a National Wild and Scenic River, adds aquatic richness. Protecting the gorge, the cliffs, the river and the forest sustains one of the most ecologically significant and biodiverse landscapes in Kentucky.

The Red River Gorge holds a treasured place in Kentucky and in the wider outdoor world — a landscape of more than 100 natural arches and world-class cliffs, saved from flooding by a famous conservation battle, and now a global mecca for rock climbers and a beloved destination for hikers. Its dramatic scenery, its deep human history in the rock shelters, and its renown among climbers make the gorge a cherished natural icon, embodying the wild beauty of the Kentucky Cumberland Plateau.

The Red River Gorge is in the Daniel Boone National Forest in east-central Kentucky near Slade and Stanton, off the Mountain Parkway and State Routes 11, 15 and 77 (including the historic one-lane Nada Tunnel), about an hour southeast of Lexington. It is free to enter, though some areas require recreation passes and overnight backcountry use requires a permit. The gorge offers trailheads to arches and cliffs, climbing areas, river access and camping. Check the U.S. Forest Service (Daniel Boone National Forest) for passes, permits, road and trail conditions before visiting.

The U.S. Forest Service protects the arches, cliffs, rock shelters, river and forest of the Red River Gorge Geological Area within the Daniel Boone National Forest. Visitors help by staying on trails, not climbing on or damaging the fragile arches, protecting the archaeological rock shelters (digging and collecting are illegal), climbing responsibly and respecting closures (including for nesting raptors), camping only where allowed with permits, packing out everything, and protecting the river. Conserving the arches, cliffs and biodiverse forest sustains this treasured and fragile National Natural Landmark.

The Red River Gorge’s cliffs and arches have steep, dangerous, often unguarded drop-offs — keep well back from the edges, watch footing on uneven and slippery rock, and supervise children closely, as falls from the cliffs have been fatal. Rock climbing and rappelling require proper skills, gear and experience. Trails can be rugged; carry water, a map and a light (some routes pass through the dark Nada Tunnel and rock shelters). Be bear-aware, store food, watch for changing weather, and respect the rugged, remote terrain.

Some areas require a recreation pass, and overnight backcountry camping requires a permit. Stay on trails and back from cliff edges; do not climb on the arches. Protect the archaeological rock shelters — digging, collecting and disturbing artifacts are illegal. Climb responsibly and heed closures (including for nesting raptors). Follow river and fishing regulations. Store food in bear country. Pets must be controlled. Pack out all trash. Check the U.S. Forest Service (Daniel Boone National Forest) for passes, permits and current rules before visiting.

Adjacent Natural Bridge State Resort Park, with its famous arch, adjoins the gorge, and the towns of Slade and Stanton, the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Red River, and the city of Lexington (about an hour northwest) lie within reach. The Cumberland Plateau’s cliffs, arches and forests define the region. The Red River Gorge, paired with neighboring Natural Bridge, anchors a world-class outdoor-adventure region of arches, cliffs and climbing in east-central Kentucky.

Hike to the gorge’s famous arches — Sky Bridge, Princess Arch, Gray’s Arch and more — and to its cliff-top overlooks, keeping well back from the dangerous, unguarded edges. Climbers will find world-class sandstone (use guides and respect closures if new to the area). Visit in fall for spectacular color or spring for waterfalls and wildflowers, drive the historic one-lane Nada Tunnel with care, carry water and a light, store food in bear country, and combine the gorge with adjoining Natural Bridge.