But early pioneers moved into the gorge, and the ledford family homesteaded this piece of land between pinch em tight and chimney top. Youll also likely spot gorgeous wildflowers, towering maples, and other common plants. Red river gorge hiking trail information for red river gorge. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is best used from march until november. Red river gorge cabin rentals is currently offering 20% off. Top 7 camping and backpacking sites in red river gorge. The usda forest office is located in winchester, kentucky about an hour from red river gorge. Red river gorge a beautiful little corner of gods creation. Geologically, it is part of the pottsville escarpment the gorge lies within the daniel boone national forest and has been subsequently designated as the red river gorge geological area, an area of around 29,000 acres 120 km 2. A cliffside view of red river gorge last weekend, two of my best friends from asbury, kari and kayla, joined me on a road trip to red river gorge, entrusting me with the job of navigation since theyd never been there ill let you decide whether that was a good idea. Welcome to the red, the best kept family vacation secret this side of the mississippi. Take a look at this amazing map to plan your next outing. The red river gorge is a canyon system on the red river in eastcentral kentucky.
Due to the popularity of this overlook, the trail is actually paved. Red river gorge trail map pdf or in the red river gorge and indian creek areas north read content of pdf file in asp net of ky 15 must display a permit. Instead, take a sharp left turn and remain on ky 715 for 2. View from chimney top rock picture of red river gorge. Hikes we love in the red river gorge, ky southeast mountain. This is where red river gorge scenic byway starts from.
The 307mile sheltowee trace national recreation trail h6 cuts through the red river gorge geological area. Man killed at red river gorge was top kroger manager. Chimney top rock is probably the most recognizable geologic feature in the red river gorge. Hiking kentuckys red river gorge by sean patrick hill, published by menasha ridge press, birmingham, al, 2012. This usda forest service link, which also includes a downloadable and printable pdf guide and map, provides a nice overvi.
Top 10 hidden or secret hikes in red river gorge unmarked trails hikes in red river gorge. This pdf contains quite a bit of information and you are welcome to print it out. Jun 18, 2016 a view of the end of chimney top rock trail in red river gorge. This usda forest service link, which also includes a downloadable and printable pdf guide and map, provides a nice overview. Hiking trails in red river gorge auxier ridge, chimney top. Chimney top overlook has a beautiful view of half moon rock and the lower gorge area. Backdropped by forested slopes, ridges, and cliffs, these arches have been in the making a long time. View from chimney top rock check out tripadvisor members 1,228 candid photos and videos of red river gorge geological area. This byway traverses a national wild and scenic river and a national geological area. Hikes we love in the red river gorge, ky southeast. A walk in the cloudsred river gorge, chimney rock trail. The byway has stone arches, caves, cliffs, ravines and waterflows along its route.
Many of the most scenic trails in the gorge are unofficial. Authorities recovered the body of a cincinnati, ohio, man after he fell from a scenic lookout at the red river gorge in wolfe county, kentucky. The valley is laid out before you on three sides as you stand on top of a sandstone pillar. These 10 challenging trails in red river gorge are perfect. Rough trail, located in the red river gorge on the cumberland district, extends through. The walk itself is as easy as a city sidewalk and may be accessible to wheelchairs. Top ten most stunning red river gorge hiking trails.
Nov 23, 2018 red river gorge hiking is some of the most spectacular in the country, with dozens of different trails to traverse and explore. Grand sandstone arches tower over cool, secluded valleys of rhododendron and hemlock. Many consider these ten hikes to be among the best at the red river gorge trails. Early spring when flowers are blooming or autumn when you can catch the fall colors. Swift camp creek chimney top creek various arches red river indian staircase. For up to date information either stop in the ranger district office, visit. There was plenty of water, and every spring a flooding red river deposited rich silt on the flat. P a r k w a y red river gladie culturalenvironmental learning center chimney top rock nada tunnel tarr ridge picnic area ravens rock haystack rock courthouse rock grays arch d.
More than 100 natural arches are located in this area. Rock bridge is the only major arch in the red river gorge which spans over a body of water. Rock climbing routes in chimney top, red river gorge. Chimney top is a monolithic pillar at the tip of the ridge that is separated from the main cliff by a 35 foot chimney. Many of the hikes listed above are outlined in detail on this website. Red river gorge geological area natural bridge state resort park clifty wilderness daniel boone national forest tunnel ridge chimney top sky bridge rock bridge swift camp creek the rough trail the sheltowee trace and all official trails in the red. Chimney tops creek red river gorge nate, i am pretty sure we were on the right stream, just think maybe we were not in the right location.
The red river gorge is a unique and scenic natural area within the daniel boone national forest in eastern kentucky roughly one hour east of lexington. Boon hut hemlock lodge natural bridge state resort park middle fork. I intend to track down the details and maybe we can take an entire day on chimney top until we figure it out. Clifty wilderness closed to all motorized vehicles and mountain bikes. The trail ends atop a sandstone pillar with a commanding view of the red river gorge and surrounding valleys. This trail network also ties in with the sheltowee trace national recreation trail, a 257mile pathway that runs the length of the national forest and extends through the gorge into tennessee. Hinterlands unofficial hiking in kentuckys red river gorge. This is a short ridgeline hike on unmarked trails that provides a pair of beautiful vistas and a visit to one of the largest arches in red river gorge star gap arch. Red river gorge zipline 455 cliffview road, campton, ky 41 red river gorge retreats 1890 natural bridge rd, slade, ky 40376 callies lake and campground in red river gorge 5515 campton rd, stanton, ky 40380 red river gorge campground 2270 star gap rd. A view of the end of chimney top rock trail in red river gorge. If you are planning a trip to the area this year, consider these top 10 red river gorge trails to give you the best overview of everything the park has to offer.
Chimney top is a monolithic pillar at the tip of the ridge that is separated from the main cliff by a. Red river gorge geological area, winchester picture. Raven rock trail private property kentucky alltrails. At the chimney top recreation area h3 is a paved trail to the chimney top overlook. If you are considering doing the chimney top hike as an overnight backpack there are three good campsites. Chimney top is about 200 high and 600 above red river. The red river gorge is a uniquely scenic area in the daniel boone national forest. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is accessible yearround.
Red river gorge scenic byway kentucky scenic drives on. Book a cozy cabin in the woods and forge family memories that your kids will treasure forever. See links above for more details about each climbing area. From the parking area for skybridge ridge or funk rock city, continue south on ky 715 for about 1. The red river gorge in the daniel boone national forest, muir valley, and all rrgccowned property which includes miller fork recreational preserve, bald rock recreational preserve, and pendergrassmurray recreational preserve are closed.
Oct 04, 2006 chimney top rock is probably the most recognizable geologic feature in the red river gorge. Jun 30, 2016 red river gorges most popular attractions like natural bridge and chimney top rock may be spectacular, but check out these ten trails if you want to escape from tourists, challenge yourself, and discover some truly unique landscapes, all while enjoying the serenity of the paths less traveled within the gorge. This is a current, complete, and well researched the author has personally hiked every trail he writes about guide to the official trails in the red river gorge area. A cliffside view of red river gorge last weekend, two of my best friends from asbury, kari and kayla, joined me on a road trip to red river gorge, entrusting me with the job of navigation since theyd never been there ill let you decide whether that was a. This is our favorite website for comprehensive and detailed hiking information in the red river gorge, ky. Possibly the best hike in red river gorge though on private property. Red river gorge has over one hundred native species, and is a fantastic place to spot wildlife like hawks, owls, deer, bobcats, and foxes. It has been designated a national natural landmark and national.
This trail network also ties in with the sheltowee trace national recreation trail, a 257mile pathway that runs the length of the national forest. Two along the ridge wall, and the other at the chimney top summit. Arrived early to the red river gorge in kentucky and hiked the chimney rock trail. The walk is an easy 15 minute walk to the overlook from the chimney top parking area. An indepth report by the enquirer in 2008 showed that at least 17 of the roughly 75 reported deaths in the gorge had occurred at chimney. Aerial video of chimney top, red river gorge youtube. Jun 09, 2016 arrived early to the red river gorge in kentucky and hiked the chimney rock trail. The area is known for its abundant natural stone arches, unusual rock formations, and spectacular sandstone cliffs.
The red river gorge is designated as a national geological area by the u. The chimney top hike is part of the northern section of the 24. Known for its abundant natural stone arches, unusual rock formations, and spectacular sandstone cliffs, the red river gorge was designated as a geological area by the forest service in 1974. Red river gorge they went off the ledge like lemmings. We managed it with a group of kidsyoung adults ranging in age from 15 to 20.
Red river gorges most popular attractions like natural bridge and chimney top rock may be spectacular, but check out these ten trails if you want to escape from tourists, challenge yourself, and discover some truly unique landscapes, all while enjoying the serenity of the paths less traveled within the gorge. The main attraction of the red river gorge scenic byway is the abundance of natural stone arches in the gorge. This is a large overlook where you can see the red river flowing through the gorge. Red river gorge hiking is some of the most spectacular in the country, with dozens of different trails to traverse and explore. Cumberland ranger district for the red river gorge 606 6638100. Find the chimney top trail head located in the back of the loop.
1287 867 1007 1286 58 235 351 1023 1241 852 1470 200 1220 879 159 1173 796 1387 1056 1478 155 544 585 530 1355 615 1068 36 455 1191 1081 1005 361 333 245 968 1084 1431 1073 1446 907 251 942 627 644 810 463