Best Red River Gorge Hikes for Families [by locals 2024]
Discover the Best Red River Gorge Hikes for Your Family
Exploring Red River Gorge Geological Area can be overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start. The National Forest Service lists 40 hiking trails with more than 70 miles hiking within the recreation area. With all these options to take in scenic overlooks and adventures, it’s hard to know which hikes are best suited for your interests and skill level. Sara and I have been visiting and exploring this recreational area for over 20 years and enjoy helping our friends find the perfect Red River Gorge hikes for their next visit!
When Sara and I started visiting the area in the 1990s, we often wondered: Which hikes are worth the effort? When we started bringing our kids we wondered which trails were family-friendly? If this is your first visit to Red River Gorge, you may wonder, where can I find the best views of the natural sandstone arches?
It’s tough to plan a great hiking day without knowing where to go.
The good news is, you don’t have to worry anymore. We’ve put together a guide to the best Red River Gorge hikes that will make your next adventure a breeze. Whether you’re hiking with kids, looking for the best arch views, or craving a challenge, we’ve got the perfect hikes for you.
In this post, we’ll cover Red River Gorge hikes and give you three types of hikes—short & easy, moderate and long and/or challenging—so you can plan the perfect adventure.
What makes Red River Gorge hikes perfect for Outdoor Family Adventure?
We love visiting the Red River Gorge in Daniel Boone National Forest because of the amazing scenic views, breathtaking arches, waterfalls, and chance to unwind from life’s stresses for a while!
Hiking trails within the recreational area vary from walks through lush forests to walks along exposed ridge lines with 360 degree views to secluded trails where you won’t see another hiker for over an hour! Many of the arches are “hidden” in the forest and not visible until you hike almost all the way to the arch! This makes it tough to appreciate how huge some arches are. It means turning the final corner and seeing the arch creates a special feeling of joy.
Red River Gorge is home to some amazing waterfalls like Creation Falls and Coperas Falls. The falls usually have more water flow in the rainy season of the spring and usually have the least water flow during the summer.
Red River Gorge is easily accessible from Louisville, Lexington, and Cincinnati, but the area still feels very remote and offers visitors plenty of solitude.
Family-Friendly Trails: Short & Easy
Since we started bringing Madeline and Jack to Red River Gorge when they were very young, we spent a lot of time researching the best family hiking trails. We discovered that a trail has to have some “cool” feature or it doesn’t matter how short and easy it is our kids won’t enjoy it. And we wanted our kids to enjoy exploring the outdoors!
To us, a family-friendly trail in the Red River Gorge Geological Area offers easy navigation, gentle slopes, and stunning views that everyone can enjoy, no matter their hiking experience.
Some of the best family-friendly hikes also allow you to see incredible natural formations like Angel Windows and Creation Falls. Even if you’re hiking solo or without kids, these are excellent trails to start or end your day of exploring!
To get started, try these family-friendly trails:
Rock Bridge Trail
Rock Bridge Trail (1.4 miles) – An easy-to-follow loop trail leading to a beautiful natural bridge over the Swift Camp Creek! This is the ONLY natural bridge over water in RRG! We recommend extending the hike slightly to take in the view of Creation Falls. This is a stunning waterfall that flows all year!
We recommended this trail to friends recently and they reported back this was “one fo the best trails they hiked on their visit to Red River Gorge!”
Sky Bridge Trail
Sky Bridge Trail (0.7 miles) – Hikers travel along a well marked and partially paved trail that loops around the Sky Bridge. This massive arch and bridge that opens wide like a window to the gorge below. This arch is sepectular to take in during sunset.
Hiking the trail counter-clockwise leads hikers down a set of stairs and to the breathtaking view of the arch. Hikers follow the trail to the top of the arch which is a great place to take in amazing 360 degree views of the recreational area!
Angel Windows Trail
Angel Windows Trail (0.6 miles) – This short out-and-back hike on a packed dirt surface is easy to follow and leads to a unique double arch. These double arches are vertical rather than horizontal like Double Arch or Red Bryd Arch. From another angle the Angel Windows looks like a horse’s head. This is really special since Kentucky is known for thoroughbred racehorses.
Chimney Top Rock
Chimney Top Rock Trail (0.6 miles) – This walk through the forest is an easy trail, flat, and on a mix of packed earth and asphalt. On our last trip we saw visitors from 2 to 70+ on this trail. The Chimney Top Trail leads to an overlook of the Red River hundreds of feet below and the amazing gorge that was carved over thousands of years! While enjoying these panoramic views, hikers stand on top of Chimney Top Rock! There are plenty of railings to keep visitors from falling.
Pro Tip: If you want a view of Chimney Top Rock, check out the Half Moon Trail. This is an unofficial trail, so you will need a trail map or app like AllTrails.
Pro Tip: Stay on the marked trails! Staying on the trails protects the forest from damage and keeps you safe from the numerous cliffs! Sadly visitors fall from the cliffs every year and many suffer severe injuries and even death from these falls.
Princess Arch Trail
Princess Arch Trail (0.6 miles) – This is an easy hike from the trailhead along a packed dirt surface. The trailhead is located next to Chimney Top Trail, so hike out to Princess Arch while visiting Chimney Top as well! Princess Arch is a small and beautiful arch. The trail allows hikers to walk over the arch before leading you back to see the arch.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
The Natural Bridge State Resort Park is a wonderful place to enjoy a few easy hikes like the Balance Rock Trail or the Original Trail. Stop in the Hemlock Lodge a grab a free trail map for this wonderful state park!
Moderate Hikes for Adventure Seekers
If you’re looking for a bit more challenge, Red River Gorge is packed with moderate hikes with the most stunning views and scenic natural features in Daniel Boone National Forest. These hikes are a great way to experience the geological diversity of the Red River Gorge area.
Check out these great moderate hikes:
Auxier Ridge + Double Arch
Auxier Ridge Trail + Double Arch Trail (6.0 miles) – This loop offers hikers a glimpse of the varying natural wonders of Red River Gorge. From amazing views from high on the ridge line, unbelievable rock formations like Courthouse Rock, a breathtaking view of Double Arch one of the most unique sandstone arches in Red River Gorge! During the fall, walking along the forest service road is like walking through a tunnel of color with the brilliant leaves of the trees that line the road.
We rate this trail moderate because of the elevation gain and loss (1000 feet), the combination of several trails to make the loop, and the length of the trail (6 miles). Our kids have hiked this trail several times. We enjoy a snack or lunch when we reach Double Arch!
Gray’s Arch Trail
Grays Arch Trail (2.3 miles) – This trail is one of the most popular hikes in Red River Gorge. Gray’s Arch is the largest (tallest and widest) naturally formed arch in Red River Gorge! This trail is well marked along a packed dirt trail. As hikers descend toward Grays Arch you will encounter a number of stairs. Enjoy a snack under one of the most iconic arches in the recreational area!
Pro Tip: Want to experience Red River Gorge like a local? Book a guided hike with Leave No Trace Adventures for expert knowledge, breathtaking views, and a deeper connection with nature. Perfect for all skill levels!
Challenging Trails for Experienced Hikers
For seasoned hikers or those looking for a real challenge, Red River Gorge has some of the most rewarding and rugged terrain in Kentucky. These hiking trails will push your limits while offering incredible views along the way.
Pro Tip: Some of these hikes are not long or may not include large elevation gains, but many of these are unmarked trails. Or trails that are not well kept by the Forest Department. For your safety always hike with a partner, know your limits, share your hiking plans (including checkin times) with trusted loved ones, use high quality maps or a reliable GPS, and carry a Garmin InReach!
Star Gap and Skyview Arch Trail
Star Gap and Skyview Arch Trail – This out and back trail branches off the forest access road that leads to Double Arch. The hike is not particularly difficult but the trail is not marked and is very lightly traveled. Hikers need a quality GPS or map to locate the turnoffs to Star Gap and Skyview Arch.
Star Gap Arch requires a scramble down a sandstone rock face and a walk along a rock ledge. We recommend carrying a rope to make the decent and accent easier. While not required it makes it easier to access. The pay off is worth it because you will have the arch to yourself! On our first visit to Star Gap, we literally walked across the top of the arch and could not figure out how to get down. On a later trip I figured it out!
Skyview remains on my list and I will hit it on my next trip!
Rock Bridge Trail to Swift Camp Creek Trail
Rock Bridge Trail to Swift Camp Creek Trail (4 miles) – The start of this trail is easy to follow the well-traveled trail along Rock Bridge Trail before joining Swift Camp Creek Trail which is a long out and back trail along Swift Camp Creek. This is a great way to explore the Clifty Wilderness section of Red River Gorge. Outdoor enthusiasts will find the Clifty Wilderness section a great place to enjoy some solitude from the large crowds in RRG!
This hike offers views of the scenic river before turning to Turtle Back Arch. We recommend trying to find Turtle Back Arch. This is a less visited arch.
Hikers can take the Turtle Back Arch trail back to Rock Bridge Road to loop back to the Rock Bridge Trailhead.
While the distance and elevation (580 feet) are not long or tough this trail can be tough to follow. The trail is not well traveled so make sure you have a hiking partner or carry a Garmin InReach for safety. We recommend using good paper maps or reliable GPS tool to find your way!
Half Moon Arch Trail
Half Moon Arch Trail (0.8 miles) – This out and back trail follows a ridge line which makes it mostly flat. The trail is easy except for two elements: (a) it’s an unmarked trail and (b) the rock scramble at the end of the trail. Hikers can enjoy the trail without taking on the rock scramble. We did this and enjoyed a fabulous view of Chimney Top Rock across the gorge! This is a cool way to see the amazing geological formation, one of the most famous hikes in RRG!
Indian Staircase + Cloudsplitter
Indian Staircase + Cloudsplitter – Cloudsplitter was one of my first rock scrambles and it was scary! We climbed up a crack in the rock face using a rope tied to a tree. Without the rope I would not have made it!
Indian Staircase involves several rock scrambles. We tried hiking this as a family and had to bail on the hike because it was too dangerous to continue. However, we retreated to the Sheltowee Trail and hiked to Adene Arch and then to Cloudsplitter.
The trails are unmarked and unmaintained. These are well-traveled and very popular trails. The rock scrambles are very strenuous and can be dangerous. Inexperienced hikers and climbers should not attempt these trails. Experienced hikers should be very cautious, know their limits and wear proper gear and boots!
Putting It All Together for Your Perfect Red River Gorge Hike
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned hiker, there’s a trail for you in the Red River Gorge area. There’s always something to discover with trails leading through Daniel Boone National Forest, offering views of sandstone arches like Star Gap Arch and Princess Arch.
If you’re planning your next adventure, be sure to check out these best hikes of Red River Gorge. After hiking all day, enjoy some fun in the nearby gateway town of Slade, Kentucky, and explore all that Red River Gorge has to offer.
What’s Next?
Download our Red River Gorge Hiking Guide to plan your next trip. It’s packed with detailed maps, tips, and more!
About Us
We are Mike and Sara, and our kids and dog are exploring the US while camping in our fifth wheel! Since the late 90s we have been exploring the great outdoors one hiking trail at a time. We introduced our kids to hiking while they were young and they love exploring new places. We call Kentucky home and we find ourselves exploring the state parks, national parks, and other wildlands in our area as often as we can!
Our RV camping journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Waking up close to the trails we love hiking was enough for us to get hooked on the camping lifestyle! Thanks for following our adventures!
