Guidebook for Red River Gorge Area
Essentials
If you'd like to cook in our kitchen, head to nearby Kroger for all of your ingredient needs. For a small store in a small town, the selection is surprisingly decent.
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Kroger
179 W College AveIf you'd like to cook in our kitchen, head to nearby Kroger for all of your ingredient needs. For a small store in a small town, the selection is surprisingly decent.
Parks & Nature
The place everyone knows about! There are several options for hiking here with different distance and difficulty levels. Usually there is plenty of parking and it's very easy to find. For those who are no good at hiking, there is a lift that goes to the top so you may still enjoy the views. I believe its 12 dollars per person round trip. Access to the park and trails themselves is free. There are usually a lot of people here on nice weekends and even weekdays. If you're looking for something a little more private, choose something else. The views are great everywhere. No dogs allowed here!
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Natural Bridge State Resort Park
2135 Natural Bridge RdThe place everyone knows about! There are several options for hiking here with different distance and difficulty levels. Usually there is plenty of parking and it's very easy to find. For those who are no good at hiking, there is a lift that goes to the top so you may still enjoy the views. I believe its 12 dollars per person round trip. Access to the park and trails themselves is free. There are usually a lot of people here on nice weekends and even weekdays. If you're looking for something a little more private, choose something else. The views are great everywhere. No dogs allowed here!
We love this trail! It's more of a locally known place rather than a touristy one. More often than not, you'll find you're the only hiker here. The views at the top are breathtaking. You can see our highway exit (look for the big cliff face) to the southeast. It's very close to us and pretty easy to find, Google maps it just fine. The hike is around a mile each way. It's moderately difficult and uphill most of the way. Totally worth it though! Dogs are fine, just watch out for the neighbor's dog at the trailhead. He likes to follow you. His name is Prince ;)
Pilot Knob
We love this trail! It's more of a locally known place rather than a touristy one. More often than not, you'll find you're the only hiker here. The views at the top are breathtaking. You can see our highway exit (look for the big cliff face) to the southeast. It's very close to us and pretty easy to find, Google maps it just fine. The hike is around a mile each way. It's moderately difficult and uphill most of the way. Totally worth it though! Dogs are fine, just watch out for the neighbor's dog at the trailhead. He likes to follow you. His name is Prince ;)
This is one unique trail. The colors here year round are unbelievable and unexplainable. The entire trail (a loop or out and back at courthouse rock, depending on your preference) follows several "mountain" ridges, meaning the entire thing is gorgeous views. Most of the trail is sand so it's also a good option for wet weather. This is one you do NOT want to miss.
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Auxier Ridge Trailhead
Tunnel Ridge RoadThis is one unique trail. The colors here year round are unbelievable and unexplainable. The entire trail (a loop or out and back at courthouse rock, depending on your preference) follows several "mountain" ridges, meaning the entire thing is gorgeous views. Most of the trail is sand so it's also a good option for wet weather. This is one you do NOT want to miss.
Otherwise known as creation falls. Never too busy, this short trail features a beautiful waterfall and wading pool during moderately wet weather. Wear your suit and sit in the falls, either above or below. If you plan on going in the water, please do not wear deet bug spray! The bugs are never bad here anyway, even with the abundance of water. Truly a magical place.
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Rock Bridge Hike Trail Head
Rock Bridge RoadOtherwise known as creation falls. Never too busy, this short trail features a beautiful waterfall and wading pool during moderately wet weather. Wear your suit and sit in the falls, either above or below. If you plan on going in the water, please do not wear deet bug spray! The bugs are never bad here anyway, even with the abundance of water. Truly a magical place.
This one is a bit of a distance from us, but we all need a beach day sometimes, and this is the closest one I know of. Has a few large, designated swimming areas. Water is pretty clean and tolerably warm in the summer. There are bathrooms and concessions. I believe it is 7 dollars to get in.
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Cave Run Lake
This one is a bit of a distance from us, but we all need a beach day sometimes, and this is the closest one I know of. Has a few large, designated swimming areas. Water is pretty clean and tolerably warm in the summer. There are bathrooms and concessions. I believe it is 7 dollars to get in.
This hike is super fun and full of fantastic sights, but its also quite difficult and easy to get lost. The trails are poorly marked, and I don't think the route itself is official. Still, you'll find yourself scaling rocky landslides, wading in the river, and seeing rocks the size of houses. I highly recommend downloading and utilizing the AllTrails app for this hike. Use the feature to track your path. That way, if you get lost, you can turn around easily. Supposedly there's a waterfall somewhere up here, but we have never found it.
Eagle Point
Kentucky 715This hike is super fun and full of fantastic sights, but its also quite difficult and easy to get lost. The trails are poorly marked, and I don't think the route itself is official. Still, you'll find yourself scaling rocky landslides, wading in the river, and seeing rocks the size of houses. I highly recommend downloading and utilizing the AllTrails app for this hike. Use the feature to track your path. That way, if you get lost, you can turn around easily. Supposedly there's a waterfall somewhere up here, but we have never found it.
Ok, this is weird one, and you go about this at your own risk. If you follow the little road that goes past the cliff right by our highway exit, you can park your car by the gate that will stop you. Walk on through and follow the gravel road as far as you'd like. Eventually it loops, but there are offshoots that are not present on google maps. Be sure to pull up maps on your phone before you go. On this "road" you'll find an old junkyard, 2 old cemeteries, many ponds, and beautiful rolling fields. I have no idea how much of this is public or private property, so keep your wits about you. We have never had any issues though.
Access Road
Access RoadOk, this is weird one, and you go about this at your own risk. If you follow the little road that goes past the cliff right by our highway exit, you can park your car by the gate that will stop you. Walk on through and follow the gravel road as far as you'd like. Eventually it loops, but there are offshoots that are not present on google maps. Be sure to pull up maps on your phone before you go. On this "road" you'll find an old junkyard, 2 old cemeteries, many ponds, and beautiful rolling fields. I have no idea how much of this is public or private property, so keep your wits about you. We have never had any issues though.
A cute little lake with good trout fishing opportunities. It has some short trails that go around it, and during the summer you can usually rent kayaks to paddle around for a while. Usually not crowded.
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Mill Creek Lake
A cute little lake with good trout fishing opportunities. It has some short trails that go around it, and during the summer you can usually rent kayaks to paddle around for a while. Usually not crowded.
Food Scene
This hybid pizza place/ campground/ climbing equipment store is very popular with the climbers that come here from all over the country and even the world. The scene here is mostly young people. The pizza is a little pricey but delicious, and you can get pretty much anything you could think of as a topping. I highly recommend stopping for pizza once! It's close to Natural Bridge so if you're looking for lunch or dinner after a hike, it's a good place for you.
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Miguels Pizza
1890 Natural Bridge RdThis hybid pizza place/ campground/ climbing equipment store is very popular with the climbers that come here from all over the country and even the world. The scene here is mostly young people. The pizza is a little pricey but delicious, and you can get pretty much anything you could think of as a topping. I highly recommend stopping for pizza once! It's close to Natural Bridge so if you're looking for lunch or dinner after a hike, it's a good place for you.
This restaurant is on the trendy side and offers vegetarian options. They claim their food comes from local farmers when possible. Art is displayed from local artists and is available for sale.
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Red River Smokehouse
918 Natural Bridge RdThis restaurant is on the trendy side and offers vegetarian options. They claim their food comes from local farmers when possible. Art is displayed from local artists and is available for sale.
Can't say we've ever actually eaten here, but we have stopped in for drinks and the atmosphere is cute. I have heard they have guide services available.
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Sky Bridge Station
8 KY-715Can't say we've ever actually eaten here, but we have stopped in for drinks and the atmosphere is cute. I have heard they have guide services available.
Sam's Hot Dog Stand of Winchester
1200 Bypass RdSeriously amazing hotdogs!! Yes that's a thing, apparently!
If you can't stand starbucks because you know what actual coffee is, you'll want to try The Daily Grind. This is just a little drive through, no indoor seating, but these baristas know what they're doing. It's also very affordable for the quality.
The Daily Grind
225 Redwing DrIf you can't stand starbucks because you know what actual coffee is, you'll want to try The Daily Grind. This is just a little drive through, no indoor seating, but these baristas know what they're doing. It's also very affordable for the quality.
Franks Donuts
1457 W Lexington AveHouse made doughnuts. Enough said.
Limited hours so check google.
Saturdays 8-12 and Tuesdays 4-6. May through mid-September. They have hot breakfast and lunch foods, crafts, bakery, jams, honey, flowers, and fruits and veggies. Local only vendors!
Winchester/ Clark County Farmers Market
Depot StreetSaturdays 8-12 and Tuesdays 4-6. May through mid-September. They have hot breakfast and lunch foods, crafts, bakery, jams, honey, flowers, and fruits and veggies. Local only vendors!
For the small town of Winchester, their sushi is pretty great! They have a great lunch special too, 3 rolls for 11 dollars until 3 PM, I believe.
Tokyo Hibachi & Sushi
Winchester PlazaFor the small town of Winchester, their sushi is pretty great! They have a great lunch special too, 3 rolls for 11 dollars until 3 PM, I believe.
Good Mexican food with a few vegetarian options. Great fajitas! Open 7 days a week, which is a rarity out here.
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Mi Finca
86 N Main StGood Mexican food with a few vegetarian options. Great fajitas! Open 7 days a week, which is a rarity out here.
This restaurant is fairly new and we've only been here once, but it was pretty good!
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Red River Smokehouse
918 Natural Bridge RdThis restaurant is fairly new and we've only been here once, but it was pretty good!
A decent quality, decently priced, Chinese Buffet. On the same note, do NOT go to the Chinese Buffet in Stanton. You'll regret it.
Jade Garden
1623 Bypass RdA decent quality, decently priced, Chinese Buffet. On the same note, do NOT go to the Chinese Buffet in Stanton. You'll regret it.
Entertainment & Activities
Whisper valley trails is a small, independent, horse riding experience. The ride will take you down into and through a ravine on horseback. Not for the faint of heart, but the guide is very knowledgeable and reassuring. Horses are well trained and very friendly. Rides are 45 min-1 hour for 30 dollars per person. You will see a waterfall or two!
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Whisper Valley Trails
5819 KY-52Whisper valley trails is a small, independent, horse riding experience. The ride will take you down into and through a ravine on horseback. Not for the faint of heart, but the guide is very knowledgeable and reassuring. Horses are well trained and very friendly. Rides are 45 min-1 hour for 30 dollars per person. You will see a waterfall or two!
Do you like reptiles? You should! This place offers an amazing variety of snakes and other reptiles. A ticket purchase includes a tour. King Cobras, Alligators, and Mambas will leave you more interested than you ever thought you could be in cold blooded critters. This zoo is vital in the production of venom antidotes around the world. You can even watch a venom extraction. The animals all appear healthy and well cared for.
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Kentucky Reptile Zoo
200 L&E Railroad PlDo you like reptiles? You should! This place offers an amazing variety of snakes and other reptiles. A ticket purchase includes a tour. King Cobras, Alligators, and Mambas will leave you more interested than you ever thought you could be in cold blooded critters. This zoo is vital in the production of venom antidotes around the world. You can even watch a venom extraction. The animals all appear healthy and well cared for.
I've never been to Thrillsville, because so far its not my cup-o-tea. But recently they added on Thrillsville Underground, a kayak/ paddleboard tour into an abandoned and flooded mine that goes back for miles. The cost is around $45.
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Thrillsville Adventure Park
693 Natural Bridge RdI've never been to Thrillsville, because so far its not my cup-o-tea. But recently they added on Thrillsville Underground, a kayak/ paddleboard tour into an abandoned and flooded mine that goes back for miles. The cost is around $45.
This is a great little kayak adventure because it does not require two vehicles. The Red River follows a loop around Clay City, meaning when you exit the river, all you need to do is walk across main street to get your car. A word of warning, the launch is new and beautiful, but the exit is a disaster. Prepare to get dirty, but its a good time nonetheless, and a beautiful and interesting float. It can be a little rapidy depending on the water level, so I don't recommend this for kids. Feel free to use our kayaks if you have a way to transport them.
Clay City Kayak/Canoe Launch
Cs-2014This is a great little kayak adventure because it does not require two vehicles. The Red River follows a loop around Clay City, meaning when you exit the river, all you need to do is walk across main street to get your car. A word of warning, the launch is new and beautiful, but the exit is a disaster. Prepare to get dirty, but its a good time nonetheless, and a beautiful and interesting float. It can be a little rapidy depending on the water level, so I don't recommend this for kids. Feel free to use our kayaks if you have a way to transport them.
Jackson, KY offers Kentucky's Free Roaming Horse Tours provided by the Appalachian Horse Project.
Everyone is familiar with Kentucky's famous coal mines, but many are less familiar with the abandoned horses that have been left with the old mines. These horses are now free roaming, some of them feral, and many of them are classic Kentucky Mountain Horses. Take this tour to learn more about the history and the breed, and also to pet and feed some of these beauties! They are also adoptable!
https://appalachianhorseproject.org/tour-schedule-prices
Jackson
Jackson, KY offers Kentucky's Free Roaming Horse Tours provided by the Appalachian Horse Project.
Everyone is familiar with Kentucky's famous coal mines, but many are less familiar with the abandoned horses that have been left with the old mines. These horses are now free roaming, some of them feral, and many of them are classic Kentucky Mountain Horses. Take this tour to learn more about the history and the breed, and also to pet and feed some of these beauties! They are also adoptable!
https://appalachianhorseproject.org/tour-schedule-prices
Sightseeing
This temple is in some ways very secretive, and in others, so I hear, very open. Many of the locals know nothing about it. We have never been there. They offer retreats, guided meditation, and who knows what else. Watch a mini documentary on it here:
https://vimeo.com/20803196
Furnace Mountain Zen Center
8640 Hardwicks Creek RoadThis temple is in some ways very secretive, and in others, so I hear, very open. Many of the locals know nothing about it. We have never been there. They offer retreats, guided meditation, and who knows what else. Watch a mini documentary on it here:
https://vimeo.com/20803196
Nada tunnel is a long, one lane tunnel carved right through a mountain. It is paved but totally natural on the inside. Makes a great start to a scenic drive through the Daniel Boone National Forest. You;ll eventually spit out by Sky Bridge Station.
Nada Tunnel Road
Nada Tunnel RoadNada tunnel is a long, one lane tunnel carved right through a mountain. It is paved but totally natural on the inside. Makes a great start to a scenic drive through the Daniel Boone National Forest. You;ll eventually spit out by Sky Bridge Station.
Arts & Culture
A local non-profit folk art museum that has fun events in the summer and fall including music and art demos. If you're in Mount Sterling anyway, check it out!
Gateway Regional Arts Center
101 E Main StA local non-profit folk art museum that has fun events in the summer and fall including music and art demos. If you're in Mount Sterling anyway, check it out!
Everything Else
Antiques and not so antiques! This place is set up booth style, but the booths are unmanned with just a regular register at thr front of the store. You can find some cool things!
Winchester Peddlers Mall
110 Shoppers Village DrAntiques and not so antiques! This place is set up booth style, but the booths are unmanned with just a regular register at thr front of the store. You can find some cool things!
I'm a little bit embarrassed to admit that we go here practically weekly. This is essentially Overstock.com in store format. Often they get Amazon Warehouse "dumps" and you can find crazy deals on slightly damaged (or perfectly fine in many cases) items. A lot of cool things in our house have come from Bargain Hunt. If your state doesn't have one, stop by and check it out.
Bargain Hunt
30 Winchester PlazaI'm a little bit embarrassed to admit that we go here practically weekly. This is essentially Overstock.com in store format. Often they get Amazon Warehouse "dumps" and you can find crazy deals on slightly damaged (or perfectly fine in many cases) items. A lot of cool things in our house have come from Bargain Hunt. If your state doesn't have one, stop by and check it out.