Looking for places to explore near you? Whether you're looking for a park to spend the day or one to stay for a week, we can help. Our goal is to help you find places to explore and experience, all while providing a simple itinerary based on our own experience.
This is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsChimney Top Rock is one of Red River Gorge’s most iconic overlooks, featuring a massive sandstone outcrop that provides sweeping views of the surrounding cliffs, forests, and distant ridgelines.
A Chimney TopPrincess Arch is a beautiful natural sandstone arch in Red River Gorge, known for its elegant shape, easy accessibility, and scenic views of the surrounding woodland landscape.
A Princess ArchHalf Moon Arch is a unique crescent-shaped sandstone arch in Red River Gorge that offers visitors a peaceful setting and excellent opportunities for photography and exploration.
A Half Moon ArchFriendship Arch is a striking natural sandstone arch in Red River Gorge, admired for its impressive size, rugged beauty, and the scenic forest environment that surrounds it.
A Friendship ArchNada Tunnel is literally a tunnel. If you are claustrophobic, we recommend that you do not drive through it. It is very easy to have an accident. The tunnel is one-way and is very heavily traveled, so it may take you a long time to get a chance to go through it.
To TunelGray's Arch is an amazing natural formation, but it is about 2.5 miles one way to get there. The trail can be a bit confusing in certain spots, so it is important to have a basic sense of navigation.
To GraysTo get to Hanson's Point from the previous location (Gray's Arch), it is about another 5.5 miles, so good physical condition and plenty of water are necessary. The trail will be more confusing and more difficult. To reach this point, you need to follow the Rough Trail #221, then turn left onto the Hanson's Point Trail until the end.
To Hanson'sThis is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
To ParkingBathrooms and ticket purchases for the Skylift are in the same place. We recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
To SkyliftOnce you get to the top of the Skylift, either ask how to get to Lookout Point, or simple go to your right, right under the Skylift and follow the trail all the way up to the Lookout Point.
To LookoutTo get to the Natural Bridge, go back the same way you came and right under the Skylift. Follow the trail all the way to the Natural Bridge.
To BridgeTo get to Fat Man's Missery, follow the trail without going back to the Natural Bridge. You will see some stairs. Note that the Fat Man's Missery is a very narrow path between two rocks. Overweighted people will struggle to get through.
To Fat Man's MisseryTo get to Balanced Rock, follow the Sand Gap Trail biefly until you get to the Balanced Rock Trail - Shelltowee NRT #100 split, then turn left. Continue until you find the rock formation.
To Balanced RockThis is our recommended parking spot. There are many other options, but this is the best spot to explore the top hiking trails.
ParkingWe recommend using restrooms before starting activities, specially if you have kids.
RestroomsSky Bridge Arch is a striking natural sandstone arch in the Red River Gorge Geological Area, offering panoramic views of the surrounding forested canyon and allowing visitors to walk both beneath and across the top of the formation.
To ArcoBuzzard’s Roost is a scenic overlook near the Sky Bridge Picnic Area in Red River Gorge, offering breathtaking views of the Red River valley, rugged sandstone cliffs, and some of the area's most spectacular sunset vistas.
To Buzzard's RoostSwift Creek Overlook is a picturesque viewpoint in Red River Gorge that provides sweeping views of the surrounding forested hills, sandstone cliffs, and the winding Swift Creek valley below.
To OverlookWhistling Arch is a unique natural sandstone arch in Red River Gorge known for the distinctive whistling sound that can occur when wind passes through its opening, creating an interesting geological and acoustic feature.
To Whistling ArchEagle’s Nest is a dramatic cliffside overlook in Red River Gorge that rewards hikers with breathtaking panoramic views of the Red River, surrounding sandstone ridges, and the rugged wilderness of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
To Eagle's Nest
