If you’re planning to visit Kentucky, you absolutely have to check out the Red River Gorge in east-central Kentucky. Some of the most exciting adventures can be found there. My family and I spent a week exploring Kentucky, and the Red River Gorge exceeded all of my expectations in the best possible way! In this blog, I’m going to share with you the activities we found and did ourselves. A little sneak peek into all the fun awaits you.
Ziplining
If you’re an adventurous soul like myself and my kids, then you will love the zip-lining in the Red River Gorge. We ziplined with the Red River Gorge Ziplines. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos to share of my family and I doing this activity because I didn’t want to chance losing my phone 300 feet over the gorge. Haha. We did 5 zip-lines with the longest zip-line at 1,956 feet long according to our tour guides. In between each zip-line you will follow your guide and walk along in the gorge to your next zip-line. It was an absolute BLAST!!
The entire zip-line tour is approximately 2 hours long. This includes the shuttle that buses you to the beginning zip-line platform, zip-lining the 5 lines and then the shuttle back to the check-in office. The shuttle is maybe a 5-7 minute bus ride. Nothing too crazy and you definitely get a lot of time in the air! Our tour guides were fabulous! They ensured our safety at each platform and had a great sense of humor. I appreciated the laughter. Our tour guides were Lucian, CC and Gabe. If you happen to go zip-lining in the Red River Gorge and meet this crew, you’ll agree with me on their humor.
Honestly, there is no need to bring your phone, sunglasses or anything else. Leave it all in the car and your car keys can be left at the check-in desk. Just enjoy the fun and live in the moments!! I promise you will remember the fun without photos! 😉
Underground Gorge Clear Kayaking
If you’re looking for a unique and fun experience, then you must try the Underground Gorge Clear Kayaking Tour located in the Red River Gorge! Not only are you entering a once abandoned mine, but it’s pitch black less your use of the headlamp and the LEDs on your kayak. 😉
Here we are. You’ll notice I’m the shortest one in this photo (easy to spot). Haha. This is where the tour begins for the underground gorge kayaking fun. We gear up at the check-in building, get our safety brief and then into the mine we go to learn the history of the old abandoned limestone mine. Our tour guides were Patrick (instructor/guide) and Ryley (safety guide). They were also very awesome and friendly! Ryley is also the photographer throughout the tour. Once you’ve selected your kayak (tandem or solo), you get to select what color LED lights you’d like for your kayak. You’ll get to see rainbow trout and if you’re there in the right season, you’ll even get to see the Kentucky brown bat. So fun and such a unique experience!
Interesting Facts about the Limestone Mine
- The mine is said to be 100 years old
- It was sold to an interested buyer a few years back for $20,000 thinking there was no value in the abandoned limestone mine; yet today it is used for active sports/historical tours such as the clear kayaking
- An underground waterfall exists in the mine to this day and you get to kayak around it
- The underground mine is stocked with rainbow trout that are fed every other day – the largest rainbow trout weighing in at 38 lbs
- You can see the rainbow trout throughout the kayak tour under and around your clear kayak
Creation Falls via Rock Bridge Trail in the Gorge
When we visited Kentucky, it was quite hot. I was looking for a trail that would be suitable for my dog, North, so she could also enjoy hiking within the Red River Gorge as there are plenty of hikes available. I discovered the Rock Bridge Trail, which leads you to Creation Falls at the end which was perfect for either dipping our toes in the water or letting North play in it. North loved it! We walked both beneath and above the waterfall.
It’s a pleasant trail totaling 1.25 miles. The trail is rated moderate; however, I found it to be quite easy. There are some areas where you need to watch your footing but nothing too strenuous. The trail is mostly shaded which makes it perfect for a hot day hike. We did arrive before 8:30am as the parking lot for this trail fills fast. We were done exploring this trail by 10am and found that it was getting very crowded quickly. Definitely go early if you’d like to do this trail. It’s quite perfect early as there are not many people on the trail so you get to explore mother nature alone. Here’s a peak at North’s excitement when we arrived to Creation Falls. Haha…that different colored rock on the falls had her all kinds of excited!!
Jump Rock
Are you feeling adventurous or looking to test your bravery in a fun and exhilarating way? If so, you should definitely visit Jump Rock! My kids and I had an AHMAZING time at this local hideaway, and even North enjoyed it. As the name suggests, Jump Rock offers the opportunity to leap into the water. Here’s a photo of my son in pink shorts about to take his first jump! Haha.
There’s parking on the Sheltowee Exit right before Jump Rock. The parking fills fast here! You’ll want to park here and you’ll walk approximately 0.5 mile to the Jump Rock area. You’ll know you’re there by the crowds of people jumping off this rock in the near distance and the small sandy beach.
Meet the Mountain Horses of Kentucky
Our family absolutely adored this Wild Horse Tour! This tour is located outside of the Red River Gorge approximately 43 minutes away. It’s worth the drive!! As huge animal enthusiasts, my kids and I were thrilled by the experience, which was expertly guided by Liz. She greeted us warmly at a local fire station for a safety briefing before we embarked on a scenic ride in her truck to the mountain peaks. There, we had the joy of encountering several herds of wild horses, including adorable foals and colts. If you go, I hope you meet Pepper! She was one of the cutest and kindest of the young ones.
Liz thoughtfully brought along carrots and sweet treats, which the horses eagerly accepted, making our interaction with them even more magical. Her friendly demeanor and knowledge added greatly to our enjoyment. It was an unforgettable adventure that truly captured our hearts. So unforgettable that I had the pleasure of one horse sneezing in my face not once, not twice…but three times! We all laughed so much! Truly an experience we will remember forever!!
“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.”
Oprah Winfrey
I hope you enjoyed reading about our adventures in the Red River Gorge. It was quite the experience and lots of memories created! Be sure to leave a comment below and subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get the latest adventures delivered right to your inbox! You won’t want to miss what’s coming next!
PIN IT AND SAVE FOR LATER!
Keep Having FUN!
XO, Christine
