General Info for Hiking in the Red River Gorge: All of the areas explained
The view from inside Cloud Splitter in the Red River Gorge Geological Area.
The Red River Gorge is a diverse region with lots of options
The first thing to know is that the Red River Gorge is a geological feature and the area lovingly referred to as “The Gorge” or the “Red River Gorge” includes the actual gorge formed by the Red River as well as a surrounding amalgamation of public and private lands available for recreational use. It is quite complicated really. While it isn’t important to understand the history and complexity of the many areas that make up the RRG, it is important to know where you will be hiking, climbing, or camping because each entity has its own unique set of rules and regulations. Below are some quick and dirty guides and links for more information on each.
Joey and Laura at the base of Natural Bridge, in the State Park.
Natural Bridge State Park
Features:
o 22 miles of trails, including the trail to the Natural Bridge Formation
o Mill Creek Lake: fishing and boating
o Sky Lift to the Natural Bridge
o State Park facilities
Camping:
Two designated campgrounds and 12 designated primitive campsites which should be reserved in advance.
Pets:
No pets allowed on the hiking trails (Except Whittleton Arch Trail).
No campfires, climbing, rappelling, picking or harming plants, or hunting
For more information see:
https://parks.ky.gov/parks/trail-guidelines
Wendi walking up the holler from our border with the Daniel Boone National Forest.
Daniel Boone National Forest
Extensive National Forest covering large portions of Eastern Kentucky
Camping:
Allowed anywhere in the national forest away from trails, cliffs, picnic and parking areas and rock shelters
Pets:
Dogs allowed on leash
Hiking off trail is permitted.
Campfires, hunting, trapping, and foraging are permitted.
For more information, visit:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/dbnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5284095
Multiple specially designated areas within the Daniel Boone National Forest
1. Red River Gorge National Geologic Area
29,000 acres designated a National Natural Landmark and National Archaeological District, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Features:
· Extensive hiking trails
· River
· Rock-climbing and rappelling are permitted except where posted otherwise
Rules and Regulations are the same as for the Daniel Boone National Forest above.
Back Country Permit required for camping.
For more information see:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/dbnf/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5345319
Wilson and Gus enjoying Copperas Falls in the Red River Gorge Geologic Area.
2. Clifty Wilderness:
12,646 acre forest with 20 miles of trails
Rules and Regulations are the same as for the Daniel Boone National Forest above.
Back Country Permit required for camping.
For more information see:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=39460
3. Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail:
290 mile trail that spans from northern KY to TN and traverses the RRG
Back Country Permit Required in the Red River Gorge Geological Area but not on other portions of the trail.
Rules and Regulations are the same as for the Daniel Boone National Forest above.
For more information see:
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