Red River Gorge: What to know about the Eastern Kentucky scenic area

A previous version of a headline on this story incorrectly stated the status of Red River Gorge. It is an area within the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Dubbed "The Unforeseen Wilderness" by Kentucky writer Wendell Berry, this natural attraction has become one of the commonwealth's most recognizable destinations for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Red River Gorge boasts designations like "National Natural Landmark," which recognizes the site's "extremely diverse flora, including endemic, rare and relict species," according to the National Park Service website. The Red River Gorge District was also listed on the National Register for Historic Places in 2003.

The gorge offers something for everyone: from scenic views to world-famous rock climbing. Here's a quick peek at some of the most asked questions about Red River Gorge and why a visit there might be worth your time.

Looking to get outdoors? Here's a list of Louisville's major parks

What town is closest to Red River Gorge in Kentucky?

Slade, Kentucky, is located in "the heart of the wild" of the Red River Gorge Geological Area, according to Kentucky Tourism. It's an "unincorporated rural community" with a population of about 300 as of 2011, according to the area's tourism website. That adds up to about 13 people per square mile.

What does it cost to visit Red River Gorge?

There is no admission fee or cost for trail use at Red River Gorge, according to a Forest Service website. Backcountry hikers who park their car on Kentucky Route 15, the Indian Creek area north of KY 15 or the gorge proper must display a permit between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The cost of the permits is listed below.

• $5 for one day

• $7 for three days

• $50 for the year

Dispersed camping is allowed at the gorge, but for those who want to set up at a designated site with more facilities, Koomer Ridge Campground does charge for campsites. Costs are listed online. Other campsites include: Miguel's Pizza, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, John Swifts Lost Silvermine Campground and others.

The gorge also has cabin and treehouse accommodations for folks who want an elevated experience.

What is Red River Gorge known for?

The Red River Gorge is known for its scenery, hiking and camping. There are about 150 arches — give or take — that have been carved in the rocks by the Red River over millions of years. That number of arches is exceeded only by, unexpectedly, Arches National Park in Utah. The gorge occupies nearly 29,000 acres, which is plenty of room to explore its unmarked trails or tent up in for dispersed camping.

More: A great hike often leads to a great overlook. Here are 5 to see at Kentucky State Parks

The gorge is also known as one of the world's best rock-climbing destinations due to its natural sandstone cliffs. Sport climbing is popular at spots like "Motherlode" and "Dark Side" — both known for their "ferocious bolted lines," according to the Mountain Project. The Appalachian Regional Commission estimates that the gorge attracts more than 7,500 climbers every year.

The Mountain Project's website has a list of popular climbs at the gorge along with information including descriptions and locations, weather information and photos. The gorge's website also suggests several climbing guidebooks like "Women Who Dare: North America’s Most Inspiring Women Climbers" and "Vertical World: Conversations with Today’s Masters of Rock."

Other outdoor activities at Red River Gorge include fishing, paddling, mountain biking, canoeing and zip lining.

Popular hikes in Red River Gorge

There are more than 60 miles of trails, and that means there's something for hikers who want to take it easy as well as challenging climbs for experienced hikers.

The Whittleton Arch trail, for example, is 2.5 miles and designated as "easy" on the gorge's website. For the Whittleton Arch, that means there can be wet spots since it crosses a stream several times and will take hikers between two and three hours to complete. Officials recommended hitting this trail in the spring for blooming flowers or in the fall to see changing trees.

For a "moderate" hike, check out the 5-mile Auxier Ridge Loop. The gorge's website suggests packing a lunch since this hike can take between three and 6 hours to complete. Go to Auxier Ridge for "spectacular" scenery and "interesting" geology, the website said.

A list of the gorge's top 10 best hikes can be found online.

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How many rescues have occurred at Red River Gorge in 2023 so far?

The Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team said they are seeing an uptick in rescue missions this year in a Facebook post earlier this month. On April 5, the team was dispatched on two different calls for a lower leg injury and a panic attack.

In 2023, they have made at least 20 rescues, a number that they don't usually see until later in the season, reported Fox 56.

Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Red River Gorge: What ot know about the Eastern Kentucky scenic area