Daniel Boone National Forest
Established in 1937 it contains over 600 miles of trails in Eastern Kentucky on foothills of the Appalachian mountains. This forest is best known for the Red River Gorge Geological Area which contains over 100 natural stone arches and 60 miles of trails.
Key Features:
- hundreds of miles of trails
- Special areas for off road vehicles
- broken into four ranger districts
- rock climbing and rafting options
- cool cabins available through outside vendors
- hundreds of miles of trails
- Special areas for off road vehicles
- broken into four ranger districts
- rock climbing and rafting options
- cool cabins available through outside vendors
Red River Gorge Area
Sunrise in Red River Gorge
Red River Gorge
Key Features:
-High cliffs
-Scenic arches
-Crowed during peak weekends
-Countless hidden campsites and side trails
-Main trails are easy to follow
-Back-country camping
-Fire bans / restrictions common in fall
-Permits required, but cheap and easy to obtain
-High cliffs
-Scenic arches
-Crowed during peak weekends
-Countless hidden campsites and side trails
-Main trails are easy to follow
-Back-country camping
-Fire bans / restrictions common in fall
-Permits required, but cheap and easy to obtain
Packing up in the morning, Red River Gorge, Kentucky
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Double Arch, Red River Gorge, Kentucky
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Grays Arch, Red River Gorge, Kentucky
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Stone stairs near Double Arch, Red River Gorge, Kentucky
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Auxier Ridge, Red River Gorge, Kentucky
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The Red River Gorge Trail system
The Red River Gorge area offers many subtle surprises to hikers. The various hiking options create numerous planning options, long and short, depending on your needs and time frame. Most trails will have some kind of elevation change, with at least one significant up and down section, but when possible the trails tends to stay on the valley floor or up on the ridge tops.
The ridge tops offered excellent views for the surrounding area and e during peak fall colors can draw quite a crowd of day hikers. In many places, short 30 to 100 foot long "unofficial trails" provide access to cliff edges. Leaving the marked trails can be dangerous in these areas, so if you leave the marked trail, be sure not to get too close to the edges. Back-country camping is allowed in the park with restrictions near trails or the bases of cliffs. Many of the popular areas have been "loved to death" and are roped off by the forest service in an attempt to allow vegetation to regrow.
There are over 100 arches in the Red River Gorge area. Some of these stone arches are easily accessible on marked trails and make great destinations or a spot for a long lunch break. Arches are popular destinations and we experienced some of the biggest crowds at arches. Other arches require a little more research and effort to find and will require some map and compass work (or at least someone who has been there before to help direct you down the right unofficial trail.)
Climbing the arches or rock formations requires the appropriate gear, training, and permits. We talked to one young man on the trail who got himself into quite a bind trying to impress his friends. We also saw more dogs on this hike than all of our hikes combined. See our blog page for a friendly reminder of safe and respectful dog etiquette.
The highlight of our trip was the harvest moon and sunrise views from our vantage point on top of the rocky ridge. The fog engulfing the valley and burning off in the rising sun gave an ethereal scope and breadth to our campsite.
The ridge tops offered excellent views for the surrounding area and e during peak fall colors can draw quite a crowd of day hikers. In many places, short 30 to 100 foot long "unofficial trails" provide access to cliff edges. Leaving the marked trails can be dangerous in these areas, so if you leave the marked trail, be sure not to get too close to the edges. Back-country camping is allowed in the park with restrictions near trails or the bases of cliffs. Many of the popular areas have been "loved to death" and are roped off by the forest service in an attempt to allow vegetation to regrow.
There are over 100 arches in the Red River Gorge area. Some of these stone arches are easily accessible on marked trails and make great destinations or a spot for a long lunch break. Arches are popular destinations and we experienced some of the biggest crowds at arches. Other arches require a little more research and effort to find and will require some map and compass work (or at least someone who has been there before to help direct you down the right unofficial trail.)
Climbing the arches or rock formations requires the appropriate gear, training, and permits. We talked to one young man on the trail who got himself into quite a bind trying to impress his friends. We also saw more dogs on this hike than all of our hikes combined. See our blog page for a friendly reminder of safe and respectful dog etiquette.
The highlight of our trip was the harvest moon and sunrise views from our vantage point on top of the rocky ridge. The fog engulfing the valley and burning off in the rising sun gave an ethereal scope and breadth to our campsite.
Stairs are common on the trails, Red River Gorge, Kentucky
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Double Arch Trail, Red River Gorge, Kentucky
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Silver Mine Arch, Red River Gorge, Kentucky
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Cliff face near Grays Arch, Red River Gorge, Kentucky
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