Explore Places in Stanton

Your excursion begins at the Grays Arch Recreation Area parking lot, located at 37.8081° N, 83.6575° W. This gravel facility offers free parking for about 20 vehicles, though it fills rapidly on weekends.

Directly at this parking area, you will find the designated public restrooms, which are accessible vault/pit toilets. These are the only restrooms available along your hiking route, so it is highly recommended to use them before hitting the trails.

To reach the spectacular natural sandstone span of Grays Arch (37.8170° N, 83.6580° W), your hike sets off due north directly from the parking area trailhead. You will walk the initial 0.25-mile section of the Grays Arch Trail (#205) until you hit the intersection with the Rough Trail (#221), where you will take a right turn. The trail path is well-marked and relatively level as it runs along the ridge, but it becomes challenging as it descends sharply into the gorge via two large sets of wooden staircases. At the bottom of the second staircase, a right turn guides you straight to the massive rock shelter overhang and base of the arch.

From the base of Gray's Arch, you will continue your trek toward the unmarked user-made path to Hanson's Point (37.8164° N, 83.6267° W). You will backtrack slightly to the main Rough Trail loop and head deep into a demanding, rustic section of the gorge that features a steep sequence of downhills and uphills. The route requires navigating a brief 10-foot rock scramble using tree roots for leverage before ascending back up to the top of the ridge line. Once you reach the top spine of the ridge past Rush Branch, you will spot a wide, unblazed spur trail on your left that breaks away from the main path and carries you past backcountry campsites out to the wide, panoramic rock ledge of the point.

After completing your hikes, you will return to your vehicle at the recreation lot to begin your drive to the historic Nada Tunnel (37.8173° N, 83.6809° W). You will exit the parking lot by turning left onto the gravel surface of Tunnel Ridge Road, following it back out to the paved blacktop of KY-15. Turn right onto KY-15 West towards Slade, then quickly transition north onto KY-77. This winding road will bring you directly to the entrance of the famous 900-foot-long, one-lane railway shortcut carved directly through solid limestone rock face.