Top ten most stunning red river gorge hiking trails. This unofficial trail splits off of the rush branch section of rough trail near the western rough trailsheltowee trace intersection. View tower rock trail in a larger map calculate roughly how many calories you could burn on the tower rock trail hike. I only wish they would make one big two sided map of the same area that you can fold to were you was at than have all the smaller maps. Ive only been doing serious hiking in the rrg for about a year and a half and part of that was out of commission due to ankle injury, so i still have a lot of exploring to do everyones comments have helped me prioritize where i need to go next. Rrgcc property closed to all visitors the rrgcc has made the difficult decision to temporarily close our land to all visitors. Click the icons in the map below for more information. Its solid, wellfeatured sandstone makes for steep, spectacular climbing, with almost 2000 established routes, from traditionally protected cracks to some of the hardest sport climbs in america. Tower rock trail red river gorge hiking hiking in red.
Geologically, it is part of the pottsville escarpment. This is the sun bathing rock on 715 on the red river. Rock to jump off of check out tripadvisor members 1,225 candid photos and videos of red river gorge geological area. Whenever our descriptions of hikes or walks uses one of these trails we always use the official trail name and trail number. Daniel boone national forest red river gorge geological area. Includes trails, roads, streams, recreation areas, clifty wilderness and other boundaries. The earliest climbing in the rrg was probably done here. With over 100 natural sandstone arches, deep forests, and ancient rock shelters, the red river gorge, located in daniel boone national forest, has earned a reputation as one of. We went swimming here yesterday but no one was brave enough to jump off the rock. Sheltowee connector trail, jump rock, and footbridge kentucky. Muir valley is a recreational and rock climbing area owned and maintained. I am not going to vote, since i have not yet made it to all the places on the list.
Features along rock bridge trail include creation falls, swift camp creek, and the stunning rock bridge. Instant pdf generic precreated pdf for muir valley. These 10 challenging trails in red river gorge are perfect for hikers seeking adventure. My favorite trails have been indian staircase and turtleback and rock bridge. The red river gorge in eastern kentucky is one of the best rockclimbing areas in the world. Driveby crag in the southern region, red river gorge, kentucky. Nearly all of the daniel boone national forest was logged at least once before its acquisition by the forest service in 1937. Some of these are a combination of 2 or more smaller hikes that originate from the same place and can be combined. Some friends and i are planning a trip to the gorge this weekend and since its supposed to be nice out we figured we might want to try jump rock. The solitude of this trail and being on jailhouse rock is probably one of our favorite places in red river gorge.
Whether youre new to lead climbing or trying some of the hardest routes in the country, this is the elemental list of red river gorge favorites. Lots of developement in the way of bouldering still needs to be done. From the intersection head west on rough trail for a few dozen yards to a point just before the trail switches back and begins a steep descent. The gorge lies within the daniel boone national forest and has been subsequently designated as the red river gorge geological. The red river gorge is a national geological area for its outstanding number of sandstone arches and large rockshelters. Located about 45 minutes southeast of lexington, kentucky, and an easy two to twoandahalf hour drive from cincinnati, ohio, red river gorge is a popular hiking and rock climbing destination in the western foothills of the appalachian mountains. Red river gorge a beautiful little corner of gods creation. Within the gorge is clifty wilderness, a rugged and undeveloped area designated as wilderness by congress in 1985. Geologically, it is part of the pottsville escarpment the gorge lies within the daniel boone national forest and has been subsequently designated as the red river gorge geological area, an area of around 29,000 acres 120 km 2. Whether youre a first timer or a seasoned rappeller, we have options for all. Red river gorge trail map pdf or in the red river gorge and indian creek areas north read content of pdf file in asp net of ky 15 must display a permit.
Tower rock is a free standing pinnacle with a lot of old school routes of various grades. If its been awhile or youre new to the sport, we provide a progression beginning with short, low angle rappels, which allow the participant to gain. Jun 23, 2014 red river gorge this is the rock that you jump off of near sheltowee trace suspension bridge. According to bill bailey 1995 natural bridge refers to a particular sandstone rock bridge that is 65 feet in height and spans 78 feet in length. Little did i know that i would read this guide rest of the drive like a work of fiction. Red river gorge rock climbing and bouldering 27 crags. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. The red river gorge is a canyon system on the red river in eastcentral kentucky. Red river gorge hiking pdf map take a look at this amazing map to plan your next outing.
Rock climbing routes in jump rock, red river gorge. Get an overview of rock climbing and bouldering in the area of red river gorge, usa. The red river gorge in the daniel boone national forest, muir valley, and all rrgccowned property which includes miller fork recreational preserve, bald rock recreational preserve, and pendergrassmurray recreational preserve are closed. This is not one of our favorite walks as tower rock is an average site. Clifty wilderness closed to all motorized vehicles and mountain bikes. Click on ascents for a rss feed of all new ascents recorded in. Spectacular rock features, including sandstone arches and towering cliffs, are just part of the attraction. I recommend stopping at the shell station just outside of red river gorge and purchasing a heavy duty rrg map that they keep behind the counter. See links above for more details about each climbing area. We took this backpacking trip in march of 2012 to explore the different kinds of trails that kentuckys red river gorge has to offer. This is the perfect hike to take and clear your mind. This 12,646acre area features arches, rock shelters, and towering cliffs encircling steep, forested slopes and narrow stream valleys. Many consider these ten hikes to be among the best at the red river gorge. Grand sandstone arches tower over cool, secluded valleys of rhododendron and hemlock.
Rock shelters and other sites in the red river gorge geological area contain. The red river gorge is a scenic natural area that is located in eastern kentucky, within the boundaries of the daniel boone national forest it is known for its many natural stone arches, its bizarre rock formations, and its breathtaking sandstone cliffs. I havent been to this jump rock, but i think this may be it in the center of the map. This pdf contains quite a bit of information and you are welcome to print it out and use it on your next adventure. This map is a 3d view of the red river gorge in a parallel projection. The red river gorge in eastern kentucky is one of the best rock climbing areas in the world.
Views of chimney top rock and chimney top creek below are incredible from this vantage point. Gorge national register district on the daniel boone national forest pdf. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The red river gorge in kentucky embraces a sandstone rock bridge in kentucky called the natural bridge bailey, 1995. In the summer where jump rock is it is very crowded with college kids livin it up. I watched folks scramble up the back and leap the fifteen feet into the muddy playgroundpuddle colored water. Does anyone know the location and possible routes to get there. Top routes at the red river gorge by grade rock climbing. For kids, this is among the best hikes in red river gorge with a long footbridge over. Jun 30, 2016 these 10 challenging trails in red river gorge are perfect for hikers seeking adventure.
The following table provides a complete listing of official trails in red river gorge and their length. Boon hut hemlock lodge natural bridge state resort park middle fork. Combine soft red sandstone, rushing mountain streams, and a few million years of erosion, and the result is the fantastic formations of kentuckys red river gorge geologic area rrgga. Red river gorge geological area, winchester picture. Climbing and lodging in red river canyon, kentucky apr. Oct 12, 2006 tower rock is a free standing pinnacle with a lot of old school routes of various grades. Then i rounded another bend and reached a true red river destination a large rock people jump off, which the locals dubbed, in a frenzy of cleverness, jumping rock. Take a sharp right onto bald fork road and follow it as it curves left toward a house. See where climbers love to travel and why at climbing magazine. With over 100 natural sandstone arches, deep forests, and ancient rock shelters, the red river gorge, located in daniel boone national forest, has earned a reputation as one of the most beautiful places in kentucky. Rock climbing routes in red river gorge bouldering, east. Yosemite red river gorge smith rock boulder red rock indian creek joshua tree the gunks. As the name suggests, jump rock, is primarily a location where people go to.
Visitors can get maps, information about trails, camping and other activities. Fortunately for us, some of the best routes at any grade are in our back yard, at the red river gorge in slade. Red river gorge geological area natural bridge state resort park clifty wilderness daniel boone national forest tunnel ridge chimney top sky bridge rock bridge swift camp creek the rough trail the sheltowee trace and. Quit viewing the beautiful cliffs, of the red river gorge, from afar and join us for a day of rappelling. The rough trail red river gorge hiking hiking in red. Ive heard that you can pick up a bouldering guide at the shell station in slade but if they are out try red river outdoors shop on your way to miguels. Welcome to our nifty map of daniel boone national forest and red river gorge. One local jokes that that means youre only allowed to climb at your limit there. Rock bridge trail is a popular loop in the red river gorge area. Great price i did not get the lamination and dont regret it the map is durable with out it. Tower rock is not closed, but the usfs asks that you limit your climbing here. If you like to hike and spend time in the wilderness, then red river gorge hiking should be at the top of your vacation bucket list. In his book, kentucky state parks, a complete outdoor recreation guide for campers, boaters, anglers, hikers, and outdoor lovers. Lace up and get ready to explore some amazing arches.
The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is best used from april until september. Welcome to red river gorge, the best kept family vacation secret this side of the mississippi. Red river gorge in the daniel boone national forest as well as all rrgcc owned property, and muir valley are closed to protect local communities and discourage travel. Have you ever had one of those days where you just want to sit outside alone and enjoy nature. In the red river gorge most of the signage will only use the name. We were on our way to the red river gorge for an extended climbing trip this past weekend when my climbing partner asked me if i wanted to read this new guide to the area that he had just bought.
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