Of course, when the Red is swollen and calm, folks bring canoes and a desire to jump off the large, south-bank boulder lodged near the suspension bridge. You can’t see these jumpers from the bridge, but you can hear audience cheers and screams of the simultaneous jumpers. The water is not muddy, but silty and deceptively still, like flat, fresh cardboard.

Red River Gorge Backpacking Map: $14

The Power Loop Hike…need more explanation? This favorite 9.25 mile loop has 4 ‘ups’ or creek-to-ridge ascents, which is 1800 feet of cumulative ‘up’ elevation change. If you finish it in 4 hours, you’re walking good; in 3 hours you’re marching; and in 2 hours you’re smokin’. About a 1/3 of the loop is on the Sheltowee Trace. This is one of the best loops in the Daniel Boone NF.

Beginning at Gray’s Arch trailhead, proceed to the arch and down to King’s Branch. After crossing this small stream, climb up the steepest section of the trail to Rush Ridge. On the backside of the rodge, you’ll hike down Second Story Rockhouse (a double stacked rockhouse), through Corrosion Cove known for the unique erosion features, and cross Rush Branch. Continue up past Corpse Rock (a rotten outcropping), over Signature Rock (please don’t carve in rocks), and then down to Chimney Top Creek. From there hump up to Koomer Ridge, then Buck Ridge, and finally back to Gray’s Arch Trailhead. For a more taxing trip, attach the 2-mile D. Boone Hut/Martin’s Fork loop to the end of the trail.

Camping sites exist in abundance along the loop; however, you might find crowded sites near the trail during busy weekends. Try crossing a stream or move further down the ridge to find your private camp. Notable side trails to scenic views and campsites can be found near Pinch ‘Em Tight Ridge (out to Hanson’s Point) and Second Story.

Camping considerations: This is a fee area. Visitors leaving cars overnight will need to purchase a pass at local businesses and outdoor shops. Camping in rockshelters is prohibited forestwide. You can camp away from the arch, rockshelters, streams, and trails. You will need to observe the USFS backcountry camping rules.

Red River Gorge Backpacking Map: $14

A hike from Gray’s Arch Trailhead to D. Boone Hut and Martin Fork. A large area of ferns can be found on near the crossing of Martin Fork and scenic overlooks offer limited views down the valley and across the valley to Tunnel Ridge Road.

Red River Gorge Backpacking Map: $14

Auxier Ridge is one of the great hiking areas in the Red River Gorge. Hikers have two loop options here. First, you can hike out the Ridge on trail #204, passing some excellent scenic overlooks, and return on Trail #202, Courthouse Rock trail. The second option is to return by way off Auxier Branch Trail, #203, with a side trip to Double Arch. This second option uses the closed Tunnel Ridge Road to connect back to the trailhead.

Red River Gorge Backpacking Map: $14

This well-used and maintained trail is the first (or last) segment of the challenging 10-mile Power Loop Hike. Starting at Gray’s Arch trailhead parking (map) walk a short quarter-mile double-width foot trail to an intersection with the Martin’s Fork Trail. Continue to the right passing the small field on Butterfly Hill. About a mile into the hike, you’ll find a few ridge top campsites west of the trail. An unmapped trail follows a narrow ridge above Left Flank climbing area.

The arch and west rockhouse offer some of the biggest views under canopy in Red River Gorge. You can easily scramble around the boulders to find a compelling photograph. Since the arch is close to the trailhead and has great scenic attraction, you’ll probably enjoy the company of fellow hikers and photographers.

Camping considerations: This is a fee area. Visitors leaving cars overnight will need to purchase a pass at local businesses and outdoor shops. Camping in rockshelters is prohibited forestwide. You can camp away from the arch, rockshelters, streams, and trails. You will need to observe the USFS backcountry camping rules.

Red River Gorge Backpacking Map: $14

The best trail in the Clifty Wilderness Area. Starting at Rock Bridge trailhead and hiking down Swift Camp Creek as it cuts a steep, narrow gorge, you’ll experience the least-visited area in the Red River Gorge. Trail often skirts cliff edges and side trails wind down to the creek and cool water in the summer heat. Nice campsites exist near Pooch’s Turtle Falls, Don Juan’s Garden, and Steamboat Rock.

Scenic areas you’ll visit are Hell’s Kitchen (a narrow slot canyon), Mossy Rocks, Pooch’s Turtle Falls and the side trail to Turtle Arch, Tofu Rock, Sausage Wall (a huge, plump rack of rock), Purgatory Bend (a frustrating bend in the creek), Don Juan’s Garden (a most romantic area), and Steamboat Rock (recall the days of old below this slab of rock in the creek).

Two hiking loops cap the ends of this trail and provide access to ridgetop parking. Wildcat Creek trail is a 7-mile loop (including a mile-long road walk) and connects Steamboat Rock with the Rough & Swift Camp Creek trails. Rock Bridge Loop is a 1.5-mile loop that passes the only arch across a major stream and nearby Creation Falls, a pleasant, petite waterfall.

Camping considerations: This is a fee area. Visitors leaving cars overnight will need to purchase a pass at local businesses and outdoor shops. Camping in rockshelters is prohibited forestwide. You can camp away from the arch, rockshelters, streams, and trails. You will need to observe the USFS backcountry camping rules.

Red River Gorge Backpacking Map: $14

Tower Rock Trail is an easy hike to a monolithic outcropping of eroded sandstone.

Red River Gorge Backpacking Map: $14

Chimney Scenic Picnic Area is the start of the two shortest, but most rewarding trails in the Gorge. Both trails visit splendid overlooks and many additional miles of side trails connect with picnic area. The camping area is a nice ridge to explore.

Red River Gorge Backpacking Map: $14

The Sheltowee Trace spans the entire length of the Daniel Boone National Forest and a portion of the Big South Fork in Tennessee. The section through the Red River Gorge is one of the most spectacular, with this short segment visiting some of the most impressive overlooks and challenging side trails. Indian Staircase is an unofficial trail that climbs up a steep set of cliff ledges and can be found on the printed map. Although this loop uses part of a paved road, hikers have a chance for a short walk to the Red River suspension foot bridge, the longest in the forest.

Red River Gorge Backpacking Map: $14

The Rough Trail is longest trail through the heart of the Red River Gorge. Many side trail options allow hikers to increase mileage and create additional loops. For the ultimate Gorge experience, connect this trail with the Swift Camp Creek Trail.