Kentucky’s Red River Gorges is a rock climbing destination, but did you know it’s also full of incredible hiking trails?

The Red River Gorge offers tons of different trails for all skill levels, including arches, swimming holes, and waterfalls. Spring and Fall are the best seasons to hike in the Red River Gorge, when the flowers are blooming and leaves changing respectively. From arches to vistas, these six incredible trails in the Red River Gorge and nearby Natural Bridge State Park belong on your bucket list!

Best Hiking Trails in the Red River Gorge:

From arches to river views, here are the best easy hiking trails in the Red River Gorge! And guess what? You can hit all of these trails easily in one weekend!

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What to pack for hiking the Red River Gorge:

Hiking in the Red River Gorge can be hot in the summer and experience summer storms. In addition, thick brush makes long pants a good choice. Here’s what I recommend for a weekend hiking and camping trip in the Red River Gorge:

• Lightweight, long hiking pants. I love the REI trailmade to be super flattering as well as the Kuhl freeflex.
• A pair of shorts, and yoga pants with pockets 
• A fleece. Any fleece will do, but I really love my Patagonia Synchilla
• Wool baselayers. Five years of heavy paddling and my Smartwool baselayers are the only wool baselayers I’ve had that have really stood the test of time. For seven days, pack four baselayer tops. 
• Study hiking boots. I like my Bridger Mids. Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair with Darn Tough hiking socks and pack at least five pairs. In the rugged areas, trekking poles are also a great choice!
• hiking sandals
• Quick dry shots: I like Patagonia Baggies
• A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer near the lakeshore, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by the Patagonia Nano Puff. I like my Helly Hansen Liftloft. 
• If camping, a tent, packable sleeping bag (Nemo Disco) and pad (comfortable sleeping pad): Read my budget tent recommendations here!
• A day hiking pack: I love my Perimeter 35L. I was gifted this pack a few years back and it’s still my go-to day pack; a savvy packer can easily pack for a seven day hiking trip in this bag. 
• A raincoat. I love the Moss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.

For a full list of the gear I recommend after five years as a sea kayaking guide and expedition paddler, check out my gear list!

1) Whistling Arch Trail – .5 miles, beginner friendly

At around a half mile round trip and minimal elevation gain, this trail offers a sizable arch and an overlook of the valley below. The Red River Gorge has about 150 arches, its arch concentration second only to Utah’s Arches National Park, and the Whistling Arch is an excellent example!

This arch is beautiful, but definitely doesn’t make my list of the top hikes in the Red River Gorge; that said, it’s a super quick stop which might make it worth it for some!

2) Angel’s Windows Trail – .5 miles, beginner friendly

Another short and sweet hike, this trail features a double arch. Angel’s Windows has some of the more intricate arches, making this arguably one of the Red River Gorge’s best hikes. The farthest arch looks like a horse to some people; check out the photo below and tell me what you think!

Personally, this might be my favorite arch in the Red River Gorge!

3) Jump Rock – .3 miles, beginner friendly

Jump Rock on the Red River Gorge is one of the best swimming holes in the state of Kentucky. You can reach Jump Rock after a short walk from Sheltowee Connector Trail #211 lot off Sky Bridge Rd.

4) Natural Bridge & Laurel Ridge – 3 miles, moderate

Located in Natural Bridge State Park, the Natural Bridge is a short but steep hike from the parking lot in the Natural Bridge State Park. This hike is one of the best hikes in the Red River Gorge!

The Natural Bridge is what it sounds like—a bridge of sandstone connecting two ridges and carved out by the wind that you can hike across. From the top of the Natural Bridge, you can see Lookout Point. After crossing the Natural Bridge, you can head out to Lookout Point to get a view of the bridge from a distance. From here, continue to Lover’s Leap to watch the sunset. Lover’s Leap offers lovely views of the valley below, and is the best spot in the Red River Gorge to watch the sunset.

Tip for Red River Gorge photos: fog collects in the valley below the Natural Bridge and Lover’s Leap in the morning, both of which face east. Get up early to watch the sunrise over the fog and clouds.

Check out a PDF Map here!

5) Devil’s Gluch – 1-3 miles, moderate

Located in the Natural Bridge State Park between Hanson’s Point and Lookout Point, this staircase will lead you deep into walls of rock, reminiscent of a slot canyon out west.

View Devil’s Gluch on the map here.

6) Copperas Creek & Falls – 3.6 miles, moderate-difficult

This is an unofficial trail near Osborne Bend Trial in the Clifty Wilderness, and is a little tricky to follow. If you can see Copperas Creek or the creek bed, you are headed in the right direction. This hike is just shy of four miles round trip and without elevation gain.

You may have to climb over some trees or even large rocks depending on which route you take. When you first start off on the trail, it will split off into two. Following the trail on the right will give you a faster and easier route to the falls. The trail has multiple creek crossings; your feet will get wet. Head out in early May or after a big rain to see the falls running at full force. Copperas Falls is technically outside of the Red River Gorge, but one of the prettiest hiking trails in the region.

This is the only unofficial hiking trail in the Red River Gorge, but there are plenty in the area! In generally, the unofficial trails are more difficult to follow, less known, and entail higher risk. Copperas Falls is the most popular of these unofficial trails, which is why I’ve only included this one. I would recommend hiking the trails listed on this list here to familiarize yourself with the region before tackling unofficial trails.

LNT NOTE: It’s especially important on unofficial trails like this, which are not maintained by the Forest Service, to pack out all trash, follow all wilderness camping rules, stay as much on the established trail as possible, and remember that all areas are potential Indigenous cultural or archeological sites. Rock Shelters in the Red River Gorge have been inhabited for as many as 12,000 years.

7) Auxier Ridge Trail- 4.5 miles, moderate

An out and back trail, Auxier Ridge Trail takes hikers along a ridge in the Red River Gorge and features a number of really stunning views, culminating and the iconic Auxier Ridge.

Auxier Ridge is one of the best hikes in the Red River Gorge for views! This trail is very popular; I suggest arriving before 10am even on weekdays to secure parking, and note that parking in designated spots only is strictly enforced.

Do I need a permit in the Red River Gorge to hike?

Permits are only required for overnight hikes in the Red River Gorge! Learn about permits here. Permits are NOT required for day hiking in the Red River Gorge.

8) Double Arch Trail- 5-7 miles, moderate-difficult

Accessible from the same trailhead as the Auxier Ridge Trail, Double Arch can be paired with the hike to Auxier Ridge to make a loop hitting all the highlights of the area. This loop makes up one of the most scenic hikes in the Red River Gorge.

The Auxier Ridge and Double Arch Trail makes for a great beginner backpacking loop! Check out this beginner backpacking guide to prep for your first trip!

Download a PDF Map of the hiking in the Red River Gorge here!

9) Chimney Top Rock Trail- .6 miles, beginner-friendly

Chimney Top Rock Trail is a quick hike with very little elevation change to reach the Chimney Top Rock Overlook. This is a great quick and easy hike, but be sure to watch small children around big cliffs.

Chimney Top Rock is a great hike in the Red River Gorge for views!

10) Princess Arch Trail- .5 miles, beginner-friendly

Princess Arch is one of the prettiest arches in the Red River Gorge! This hike is beginner-friendly but does involve some short sections of up and down and difficult footing. The trailhead is in the same parking lot as the Chimney Top Rock Trailhead.

11) Sky Bridge Arch- .5 miles moderate

Sky bridge is a beautiful, quick trail but with considerable stairs to climb!

Sky Bridge Arch is especially cool because you can walk below and above the arch!

12) Creation Falls and Rock Bridge- 1.5 miles, moderate

The hiking trail to Rock Bridge and Creation Falls is one of the best trails in the Red River Gorge, but tends to be very heavily trafficked! If you want photos of the waterfall without people swimming in it, come early!

The Rock bridge on this hike is the only natural bridge in the Red River Gorge over water!

When is the best time of year to visit the Red River Gorge?

The Red River Gorge is beautiful in every season! Late October brings Fall colors, but in my opinion the best time of year to visit is early may, when the mountain laurel is blooming!

where will your next adventure be?

• check out the 30 best things to do in the apostle islands
• read about the best Midwest Adventures
• I ranked 30 Midwest hiking trails. Find out where your favorite fallsl!

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