Located about an hour southeast from Lexington, the Red River Gorge is one of the finest outdoor recreational areas in the Eastern half of the United States. Here are eight of the best ways to spend your time on your visit:
Most non-climbers don’t know it, but here’s the scoop: the Red River Gorge is one of the best climbing destinations in the world. The climbing is so good that climbing gear company Petzl held its Roctrip festival here in 2007. This event brought the best climbers in the world to the backwoods of Kentucky, and they were impressed. Every year people from all over the world flock to the Red to play on its steep sandstone walls. Why don’t you join them?
To get started, just book a trip with a reputable guide service such as Red River Outdoors (www.redriveroutdoors.com) or True North Outfitters (www.truenorthoutfitters.com). Their experienced guides will provide you with all you need to have a fun day out on the rocks.
Rappelling
Maybe the thought of going up a sheer cliff seems too daunting. How about coming down?
You can dangle on a rope over a cliff while taking in the beautiful view out or the daunting view downward, or slide down a line next to the silvery stream of a 160 foot waterfall. The same guide services that can take you up the cliffs can guide you safely down them, providing you with a memorable and heart-stopping experience.
Via Ferrata
This is another climbing activity, but it follows a pre-set course of steel cable and ladder rungs that have been set into a cliff. This activity is very popular in Europe, and at the Red you can experience the first Via Ferrata built in the United States. Follow the trail as it goes up, down, and traverses a beautiful, horseshoe shaped cliff. Check out the via ferrata at www.torrentfalls.com.
The Red isn’t the biggest river, so the canoeing and kayaking is spectacular but very seasonal. The upper Red River is a serious paddle, with class 3+ rapids through an isolated, inaccessible, and beautiful section of the gorge. This run is very dependent on water level, and can only be done in winter and early spring, and usually only after a period of heavy rain. You’ll need your own boat for this run, but you can arrange a shuttle with Red River Outdoors.
The middle section of the Red is an easy paddle, allowing you to focus on the scenery that caused the Red to become Kentucky’s only designated National Wild and Scenic River. The trip is 8 miles and usually takes between three and five hours. This section of the river is generally only enjoyable during the spring, and if you want to go after mid-May, you should call ahead to Red River Outdoors or True North Outfitters to check the water levels. Both companies suggest a minimum flow rate of 200 cubic feet per second. Although some companies still put boats on the river at less than 200 cfs, this is not recommended.
Red River Outdoors will also rent canoes for Mill Creek Lake after the river is too low. Call them at 859-230-3567 or email them at [email protected] for more information.
Paintball
Experience the adrenaline rush of combat without the downside of death. Phoenix Paintball can help you experience this quickly growing sport in a safe and fun manner. Choose the course and scenario that most appeals to you. You can sprint about the Speedball course with its inflatable shelters, slink between bamboo and concrete in the Concrete Jungle, or stalk through the trees and brush of the woods course. And don’t forget the fun of trying to keep your moonshine from the law in the Hillbilly Town! Find out more about Phoenix Paintball at www.redriveroutdoors.com/paintball.
The Red holds some spectacular scenery, and you don’t need to be able to scale a cliff to take in a splendid vista. Hikes in the Red can vary from a five minute walk on a paved path to serious backcountry endeavors. The trail to Chimney Top leads to a beautiful vista and is short, flat, mostly paved, and is even wheelchair accessible to the determined. The top of Natural Bridge can be reached by riding the sky lift and taking a short walk, by taking a demanding multi-hour trail hike, or by some shorter hikes in between. The five mile loop hike along Auxier Ridge to Courthouse Rock is a personal favorite. Trail maps can be purchased at many of the small stores in the town of Slade (exit #33 off of the Bert T. Combs Mountain Highway), which most people will pass through on their way into the Gorge. Red River Gorge Trail Guide and Hinterlands, both by Jerrell Goodpaster, are the definitive guides to the trails of the Red River Gorge.
KentuckyReptile Zoo
Hidden behind the rest stop at exit #33 off of the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway is one of the finest reptile zoos in the world. Gaze in wonder at one of the largest collections of venomous snakes in the world, or watch as venom is extracted for use by scientists and in anti-venoms. Get more info at www.geocities.com/kentuckyreptilezoo.
Miguel’s Pizza
No matter what activities you choose to engage in while visiting the Red River Gorge, no stay would be complete without a meal at Miguel’s, one of the most distinctive and delicious pizzerias you will ever encounter. Miguel’s has a huge topping list, many of which were grown in Miguel’s own organic garden. In addition to pizza, Miguel’s also offers climbing gear, snacks, clothing, trail maps, and a few other items. If you are a climber, Miguel’s is the place to camp and meet partners. If you are not a climber, you cannot camp at Miguel’s, but you probably would not want to anyway.
This is hardly an exhaustive list of the activities in the Red. There is also horseback riding, swimming, go-karts, dancing, music, and a small but fun museum at Natural Bridge State Park. Hit some of these highlights and customize your trip to fit you. Have fun!
