6 of the Best Red River Gorge Waterfall Trails
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Top 6 Red River Gorge Waterfall Trails
Anyone familiar with hiking has probably heard of Red River Gorge, but where is it located? Actually, what most refer to as the Red River Gorge is in reality Daniel Boone National Forest. The Red River Gorge Geographical Area itself consumes around 29,000 acres, and is considered a natural landmark as well as an archaeological district. On the other hand, Daniel Boone National Forest spans a whopping 706,000 acres, which spreads to 21 different counties across eastern Kentucky. This discrepancy can cause a bit of confusion when on the lookout for Red River Gorge waterfall trails.
So, Are There Any Waterfall Trails in Red River Gorge?
Upon visiting websites like AllTrails and performing searches of the geographical area and filtering by waterfalls, users will find themselves disappointed. This methodology winds up providing zero results, crushing the dreams of hopeful waterfall hiking enthusiasts. But please, don’t lose hope! Enter Clifty Wilderness, a 13,344 acre masterpiece located within the Red River Gorge Geographical Area, near Campton, Kentucky! If waterfall trails are your desire, you’ll find a nice little handful of them here. With all that out of the way, let’s get onto the list!
6 of the Best Red River Gorge Waterfall Trails
1. Rock Bridge Trail (1.4 mi)
Starting off our list of Red River Gorge waterfall trails, at number one we have the Rock Bridge Trail found near Pine Ridge, Kentucky. Though the length is quite manageable at 1.4 miles, it features an elevation gain of 311 feet, placing it right in the midst of the moderate hike category. While not the flattest of trails, it is a popular destination for runners with it being partially paved. Also, though the water may sometimes be muddy, this path does feature a nice bit of river; topped off with a gorgeous waterfall. To top it off, there’s a gorgeous rock arch, from which this trail gets its name!
Other notable uses for this path include bird watching, rock climbing, scrambling, and nature trips. Visitors will also be pleased to know that this loop hike is both kid AND dog friendly, allowing fun for the whole family! Ideal times for visitation fall between early March and late October.
2. Copperas Falls (3.1 mi)
Following close on the heels of Rock Bridge is Copperas Falls. At 3.1 miles long, this out and back hike can also be found in the Pine Ridge, Kentucky region. Accessible all year long, with a gain of 167 feet, this path is once again in the moderate zone, mainly due to its rocky terrain. But don’t let the rugged landscape discourage you, because this trail has a lot to offer, given its history of being a prime location for camping. With a river and waterfall nearby, this is the perfect place to enjoy nature before setting up camp for the evening!
Copperas Falls is also dog friendly, so long as you keep your furry loved one on a leash for the duration of your visit. If you’re looking for a relaxing atmosphere with plenty of sights and sounds that isn’t too far out of the way, then this is the perfect hike for you! HIGHLY recommended.
3. Creation Falls via Rock Bridge Trail (1.4 mi)
Next up, part of this one might sound a bit familiar. Featured at number one on this list, Rock Bridge makes up a portion of this out and back hike. At a distance of 1.4 miles in length, the Creation Falls section of this trek branches off from Rock Bridge Trail, creating something all its own. Found near Campton, Kentucky, once again we find ourselves with a moderate hike as a result its rocky composition. The climb however, isn’t too bad, coming in at only 259 feet.
Moving on, reaching this trail is a bit more work than some others. The trailhead can be found around 3 miles down a gravel road, so plan accordingly. The waterfall portion of this hike is located in the same place as Rock Bridge Trail, so no surprises there. With year round access and dogs welcomed, there’s no excuse not to give this portion a try if you’re already headed for Rock Bridge! Please be advised that during inclement weather, things can get a bit muddy, so use caution!
4. Eagle’s Nest Trail (3.7 mi)
Continuing forward, our next option moves us towards Wellington, Kentucky. As the first “hard” hike on our list, Eagle’s Nest Trail comes in right around 3.7 miles. This is a loop hike, with an overall climb of 547 feet throughout. Before moving forward, one thing needs to be made clear – as of 2021, this trail isn’t classified as official. This means that it isn’t maintained and you the adventurer are responsible for proper navigation. As such, I can only recommend this trek to the most seasoned of outdoorsmen. Luckily, this path sees heavy traffic, and as such shouldn’t be impossible to stay on course as evidence of visitors should be easily apparent.
Now, with that disclaimer out of the way, know that this trail IS dog friendly (even leash free!). Just make sure your pooch is well-trained not to go running off into the middle of nowhere. With forests, caves, waterfalls, and a river decorating the landscape, it makes for a breathtaking visual spectacle for the right person!
5. Rock Bridge and Lower Swift Camp Creek Trail (4.0 mi)
Ah, our old friend Rock Bridge! How we’ve missed you! Whereas Creation Falls joined forces to compose an out and back trail, Lower Swift Camp Creek Trail mixes in to create an absolutely fabulous 4.0 mile loop hike! As the first and only easy hike on this list, this trail combination is a bit less rocky overall, and only climbs 538 feet along its length. Located close to Campton, the Rock Bridge and Lower Swift Camp Creek Trail is a main attraction for running, nature trips, and hiking.
The most ideal months for visitation land between March and late October, depending on weather patterns that given year. With so many different sprawling paths located nearby (as indicated by our third entry), there’s no shortage of little nooks and crannies to worm your way into! Dogs are also welcomed, but be aware that seasonal-related road closures do sometimes occur. Contact the USDA before setting out if you’re unsure of current conditions.
6. Red Byrd Arch (4.2 mi)
Rounding out our list of the top 6 best Red River Gorge waterfall trails, the Red Byrd Arch near Campton, Kentucky just barely squeezes its way in. With light traffic, this 4.2 mile out and back adventure climbs a total of 465 feet and is considered to be of moderate difficulty. Visitors have suggested that this trail is a bit on the rough and overgrown side, and that those afraid of heights should probably stay away, though this is likely due to the arch itself, which you can pass underneath.
Portions of this hike can tend to find themselves going off trail a bit as well, so use caution, especially if it has rained recently as muddy overgrowth can be a challenge to deal with. While I personally would classify this hike as hard simply for the out-of-control at times local flora, I don’t make the rules. With that said, I would suggest treating your preparations as though it was. Even with all that taken into consideration, it makes for an incredible adventure. You’ll definitely find yourself knee deep in nature – sometimes even literally. Recommended, but proceed with plenty of preparation!
Where to Camp in Red River Gorge?
If you’re planning to visit Red River Gorge to check out some of these lovely waterfall trails, you might be wondering where you can camp if you so choose to spend the night. While Copperas Falls features some prime camping real estate, other locations aren’t quite as accommodating. However, there are places such as the Red River Gorge Campground, Middle Fork Campground, as well as Red River Adventure to lay your head for the evening.
Other options include Koomer Ridge and Lago Linda. Koomer Ridge is a forested area offering 50+ sites for tent camping, as well as the ability to handle RVs upwards of 35 feet long. It’s available all year long, but keep in mind there are no electricity or water hookups available. Lago Linda on the other hand, has around 35 sites and is located near some of the nicest trailheads nearby. They also have flushing toilets, as well as a bathhouse, not to mention electricity and water can be obtained for a nominal fee.
Best Red River Gorge Waterfall Trails – Conclusion
Hopefully we’ve helped clear up some of the confusion regarding what is and isn’t considered to be Red River Gorge geographically. While things may have looked bleak initially, Clifty Wilderness swooped in to save the day, allowing us to provide you with this list of Red River Gorge waterfall trails! There should be a little bit of something here for all skill levels to enjoy. We enjoyed learning something new today, and would like to thank Emily for sending in this question! If you’re looking for more waterfall trails, consider checking out our article “Hiking Trails in Malibu with Waterfalls”. Safe trips, and happy travels!
