Youre beaten to crap upon arrival and the return trip is twice as exhausting if you go back the same way you came. A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. At roughly the half-way point, hikers must use a swinging bridge to cross the Red River. Required fields are marked *. No camping in rock shelters or within 100 feet of the base of any cliff. a:active { Right past the Rock Bridge, you will find a beautiful waterfall. It's about five minutes from Red River Gorge. We're Right in the Heart of Red River Gorge. The bridge is a full-on cement monster with two supposed tunnels on opposing sides that conjoin two hillsides. The Red River Gorge area in Kentucky is an excellent example of the wide diversity you will find in the Appalachian Mountain region. The Gorge is home to a great variety of wildlife including hawks . Many cliffs lie within Daniel Boone National Forest; however several important cliffs are located on private land and in two privately owned preserves created to allow climbing access: A number of climbing guidebooks have been published for the Red River Gorge. United States government. Come take in the sights and lovely Red River weather! The Daniel Boone National Forest embraces some of the most rugged terrain west of the Appalachian Mountains. Do you prefer to hike to Natural Bridge? The multitude of sandstone and cliff-lines helped this area become one of the world's top rock climbing destinations and is home to the Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition. } It was an easy hike to do with our over energetic dog. It is surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest and adjacent to the Red River Gorge National Geologic Area. You don't just go to the Bridge to Nowhere and take pictures of yourself next to it to look cool. Lots of lizards steep stairs on way back. Parking was a bit challenging because of the crowd. The Natural Bridge is best viewed at every angle, so start here with a walk across the top. Plan to bring gloves and garbage bags and pick up garbage as you hike. Put your lights on going through, because it is dark! The result was a tremendous flood that roared down the East Fork, obliterating everything in its path including more than five miles of the painstakingly constructed highway. But I cant urge enough caution when exploring these natural wonders. A boulder thrashed Azusa Canyon road at its highest point, and it has been swallowed into the road, creating a blocked single lane nightmare. The United States Congress ultimately approved the measure and provided funding. Steps made it a fun challenge! I dont know how Ive explored like everywhere else in the Gorge except here. Quiet at night. The trail goes on past the natural bridges. If you like our content, feel free to publish a quote of 100 words or less from our posts and link from your site to our article that you are referencing. It is open daily first weekend of April through the last weekend in October. Its a forest area made up of cliffs, waterfalls, and natural bridges (there are more than 100 natural sandstone arches). The Red River Gorge Geological Area, including Clifty Wilderness, has a very diverse biology. The Natural Bridge Skylift in Kentucky is the only of its kind in the state and deserves a spot on your bucket list.