Red River Gorge

Red River Gorge is a natural canyon system with sandstone cliffs and arches within the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. The gorge cuts through forested hills and displays rock shelters, overhangs, and small streams that have carved through the soft stone over thousands of years.

Early inhabitants lived in the area about 11,000 years ago and left tools and traces in the rock shelters. In the early 20th century, a railway tunnel was built for logging transport and now serves as a main access route.

The name comes from the reddish tint of the sandstone walls, which glow especially at sunset. Rock climbers from around the world visit the more than 1,500 established routes that rise along the vertical faces.

Backcountry camping requires a permit that must be requested from the forest service in advance. More than 60 miles (95 kilometers) of marked trails run through the terrain and offer different difficulty levels for hikers and climbers.

A rare white-haired goldenrod grows in a limited section of the gorge and is found nowhere else in this form. The rock arches formed through erosion and freeze-thaw cycles, with some openings becoming visible only in recent decades.

Location: Kentucky

GPS coordinates: 37.83400,-83.60790

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:04