Red River Gorge
Getting There
The Red River Gorge is located in Kentucky inside the Daniel Boone National Forest. To get there, take the Mountain Parkway to the Slade, KY exit. At the bottom of the exit ramp turn left to proceed to Red River Gorge. Turning right at the bottom of the exit ramp takes you to the Natural Bridge Information Center. (Right-Camping at Tunnel Ridge Road.)
After crossing under the overpass you come to a "T" in the road. This is KY 15, turning left takes you to the Nada Tunnel area (good "kid" low area camping), turning right takes you to the Tunnel Ridge Road Area (Grays Arch, Auxier Ridge, Double Arch), Koomer Ridge Campground, Chimney Top/Sky Bridge Area (Chimney Top Rock, Half Moon Rock, Princess Arch, Sky Bridge, Rock Bridge)
To reach Nada Tunnel, turn left on KY 15 to Stanton, KY. At Stanton turn right on KY 77. Proceed through the hand dug tunnel till you reach the Iron Bridge. Turn left on Service Rd. 23. The road comes to a "T" gravel road. There is good primitive camping on this road, the best is to the right. Some sites are along a small stream.
To reach Tunnel Ridge Road, turn right on KY 15 and proceed about 2.5 miles up a long incline till the road levels out. On the left is Tunnel Ridge Road, this gravel road has many good camping sites with lots of turn outs. Grays Arch, parking area is about 1.5 miles on the left. Go another 2.5 miles takes you to Auxier Ridge/Courthouse Rock parking area. Continuing on you dead end at Double Arch Trail Head.
Koomer Ridge Campground is about 2 miles past Tunnel Ridge Road on KY 15. This facility has several "Car camping" trailer/tent sites. Outhouses, drinking water and picnic tables are available. Sites are first-come, first-served. Drinking water is available only during the summer season mid-April through October. The 3.0 mile Koomer Ridge trail begins at the Koomer ridge parking lot and leads to Hidden Arch Loop trail and Buck Trail before ending at Rough Trail/Sheltowee.
To reach Chimney Top/Sky Bridge Area continue about 2.5 miles to Pine Ridge. Just past the Sky Bridge Motel, KY 715 intersects Ky 15 on the left. Turn left, a short distance on the right is a gravel road that leads to Rock Bridge. Continuing on Ky 715 about 2 miles, you will come to Chimney Top Road. Turn left to reach Chimney Top, Princess Arch and Half Moon Rock. Continue on Ky 715 about 2 more miles, turn left at Sky Bridge Road. Follow this road to Sky Bridge Picnic area. From the picnic area it is a small walk to Sky Bridge.
Backcountry camping
In reponse to the increase use of the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Natural Park Service has insituted a new fee structure that was effective 4/1/00. If you are planning to camp in the Gorge and not use a campground, there will be an overnight parking fee. This fee depends on the number of nights you will be camping and will be enforced. The fee schedule is:
1 Day - $3.00
3 Day - $5.00
Yearly - $30.00
The fees generated by this pass will be used in the National Forest for a mulitude of purposes. And there are several places to get the passes. Click here for a complete list and more information on the passes.
It is illegal to camp within 100 feet of the base of any cliff, or the back of any rockshelter. This does not mean along the ridges. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire within 100 feet of the base of any cliff, or the back of any rockshelter is also illegal. You must camp at least 300 feet from any trail or parking area. Do not camp in any area's that have been marked for reclamation.
Resource
There are many more arches and interesting sites at Red River Gorge. A great book to get is, "Kentucky's Land of the Arches" by R. H. Ruchhoft. This book has detailed descriptions of the entire Red River Gorge area.
Map of RRG with trail distances (black & white PDF)
Red River Saga's map page
Questions or comments about this website? Send me a message at: Backpackcamp
Links to other Red River Gorge Sites
Last Modified 10/31/11
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