Photos of
Backpacking
Red River Gorge
in Kentucky
Backcountry camping requires
a permit for an overnight parking fee based on the number of nights
in the backcountry. In 2007, the cost was $3 for one night, $5
for three nights, $7 for seven nights, and $30 for an annual pass.
The fees generated will remain in the Boone NF for local improvements.
Permits can be purchased at ranger stations as well as at many
local businesses. (See the web sites listed at the bottom of the
"description page" for locations.) You can not camp
along the base of cliff walls or in rock shelters.
The Red River Gorge has several
ridge lines which intersect, and the trails atop these ridges
are basically level. Trails between ridgelines require descending
and ascending, and this is the way you'll reach the many water
sources which run through the valleys. Each creek or small river
we crossed had nice camp areas near them, the water was flowing
and drinkable (after treatment, of course), and all crossings
were in shallow sections, many with stepping stones. Waterproof
boots are preferable and a branch or hiking pole will help those
skittish about such crossings. The dense tree cover allows very
little direct sunlight into the valley bottoms, and a pervasive
cool humidity seemed to reign below. We encountered no bugs during
our mid-May trip.
Grey's Arch is one of 80 arches or bridges in
Red River Gorge. This one is available off Rough Trail which lives
up to its name as it takes you through a beautiful but rugged
slot canyon. A slight detour and boulder climb up a rock slope
brings you beneath the arch and gives views in each direction
and access to a small memorial for a hiker/climber who died in
a fall in 1986. A tree growing from the base of the arch assists
the adventurous who wish to climb to the top of the arch.
Bob digs his camera out of his pack as we hike
through one of the canyons. Rockhouses of varying sizes were prevalent
along the base of all rock cliffs, but camping is not allowed
under them, although we saw one tent in one by Grey's Arch. The
sandstone cliffs displayed a variety of natural artistry -- sometimes
pocked with holes, sometimes rippled, sometimes with swirls like
clouds, and the humidity allows mosses and ferns to grow abundantly,
even to the extreme that some rock faces were covered by moss
growth. All the trails we were on had tread in decent repair,
though a large number of fallen trees had to be climbed over,
under, or gone around, and a few places were muddy and in need
of drainage improvement.
The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail
runs the length of the Daniel Boone NF and through the Red River
Gorge, crossing its namesake river over this suspension bridge.
The bridge is also used by those who want to camp by the river
but not hike their gear in six or more miles. I strongly recommend
you camp away from the river if you want a quiet, private experience
-- there are many nice sites less than half a mile away -- and
then walk to the river if you want to hang out there. A large
number of people take the easy way out by parking in the lot along
the road, carrying their massive tents and coolers and boom boxes
over the bridge, and setting up deluxe camps along the river.