The Stunning Kentucky Drive That Is One Of The Best Road Trips You Can Take In America
By Sarah McCosham|Updated on April 24, 2024(Originally published May 19, 2022)
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
The Bluegrass might be best known as the home of the world’s largest cavern system, but natural wonders abound aboveground, too. For proof of this, look no further than Red River Gorge. Hailed as the Grand Canyon of Kentucky, Red River Gorge is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state. A magical place any time of the year, Red River Gorge offers some of the very best outdoor recreation in the country, and while the hiking is unrivaled in this park (there are 60 miles of mapped hiking trails throughout the Gorge), those with limited mobility or who wish to explore the scenery in a more leisurely manner can take the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, a 46-mile route that’s one of the best road trips in Kentucky as well as in America.
Red River Gorge is the most wondrous place in Kentucky; a treasure trove of the unique features and stunning landscapes that make our state so beguiling and beautiful. Waterfalls, natural bridges and arches, resplendent rivers, and captivating canyons... you'll find it all here.
And the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway is a Kentucky road trip that offers adventure seekers a tour de force of all the region's best highlights and scenery.
The journey begins with a bang: the 900-foot Nada Tunnel. Known as the "Gateway to Red River Gorge," this former railroad tunnel provides a dramatic entry into the park... and is even rumored to be haunted! Because this area is so lovely, some spirits just can't bring themselves to leave.
Once you're officially in the Gorge, the route follows the twists and turns of Red River, the first National Wild and Scenic River in Kentucky. As you can probably guess, this is an especially dashing region during the height of fall foliage.
The road continues on KY-715. You'll definitely want to pull over and stop at Swift Camp Creek Overlook in Red River Gorge -- the views here are peak Bluegrass beauty.
In fact, one of the best features of this scenic route is its myriad of pullouts and scenic overlooks. Attractions along the route include the aforementioned Nada Tunnel, Gladie Visitor Center, and vistas of the park's most iconic arches and rock formations.
If you feel so inclined, you can choose to explore one of the many trails within Red River Gorge. There are over 60 miles of mapped hiking trails here, and visitors can enjoy the scenery from high above the canyon or deep down in the riverbeds. And you don't have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the Gorge, either; there are a number of beginner-level trails here.
But at the end of the day, the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway is 46 miles of pure Bluegrass bliss and beauty. We recommend taking your time and stopping to smell the roses -- or the wildflowers! -- along the way.
Have you traveled this stunning scenic byway in Kentucky before? Would you agree it’s one of the best road trips in Kentucky? If you’ve never experienced Red River Gorge this way, it’s really something you ought to do! For more information and to view a full map of this iconic byway, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration website.
If you plan on taking this scenic drive in Kentucky or any other road trip, make sure you take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List before you hit the road!
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