Kentucky’s Puppy Paradise: Exploring Red River Gorge’s Dog-Friendly Trails with Your Pup

Visiting Red River Gorge With Your Dog

Red River Gorge in Kentucky is a popular outdoor destination located inside the Daniel Boone National Forest. This area makes a great vacation for any outdoor enthusiast. It is known for the amazing arches in the park that create beautiful photographs. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking and rock climbing inside the park. If you are looking for a more well-rounded vacation, there are also several attractions nearby to keep you entertained.

Is Red River Gorge Dog Friendly?

Red River Gorge is dog friendly as long as they remain on a 6ft leash at all times and you pick up after them. Dogs are NOT allowed on the trails in the neighboring Natural Bridge State Park.

What to Expect at Red River Gorge

Red River Gorge is a popular geological area located in the Daniel Boone National Forest. This area has become well-known for its rock formations and gorgeous arches. Located in East/Central Kentucky, this area provides a ton of outdoor activities like mountain climbing, biking, hiking, and canoeing.

As part of the Daniel Boone NationalForest, it is free to visit however there is a cost if you want to camp. Keep in mind that cell phone service can be very spotty so you will want to make sure that you either download directions before you arrive or have a paper map on hand so you can avoid getting lost.

Gladie Visitor Center in Red River Gorge

There is one welcome center for this area of the Daniel Boone National Forest. You can find the Gladie Visitor Center on the north side of the Red River Gorge Geological Area. This is where you can pick up park maps to help you navigate the roads and trails during your vacation. The visitor center is also home to several educational displays and short films if you are interested in learning more about the history of the area. There are also some historical buildings nearby.

Where to Stay When Visiting Red River Gorge

Red River Gorge is a popular vacation spot so there are plenty of places to choose from when looking for a place to stay. There are multiple campgrounds, cabins, private vacation rentals, and hotels so all you have to do is decide which option will be best for you!

Back Country Camping in the Red River Gorge

Permits are required for back county camping otherwise known as dispersed camping. You can purchase a permit at the Gladie Visitor Center or local stores.

Dog-friendly Red River Gorge Campgrounds

Koomer Ridge Campground is the only official campground in the Red River Gorge District and they range from $22- $30/night.  These sites are first come, first serve and you pay when you arrive at the entrance. Each section of the campground has pit toilets, and there is a central bathroom with showers. These sites are all pet-friendly.

If you prefer securing your campsite ahead of time or would like a few other options, here are a few of the other campgrounds in the area:

• Natural Bridge Campground– starts at $20/night (pet-friendly)
• Daniel Boone Campground– starts at $3/person/night for first come/first serve camping (pet-friendly)
• Woodstock Campground– starts at $20/night (pet-friendly)

Red River Gorge Dog-friendly Cabins

There are numerous cabins available for rent in the Red River Gorge and some of them are even pet-friendly! Due to the constantly changing vacation rental market, please check each site for current prices:

• Red River Gorge Cabin Rentals– pet-friendly options
• Red River Adventure– pet-friendly options

Hotels Near Red River Gorge

If camping or cabins are not your thing you can use our link below to help you find a hotel!

What to Do in Red River Gorge

Red River Gorge is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. With rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and canoeing the one thing you won’t be is bored! There is even a scenic byway if you are looking for a less heart-pumping activity.

Rock Climbing in Red River Gorge

The Red River Gorge is a popular rock climbing area due to its sandstone cliffs and overhanging rock for some fun and challenging climbs. You are allowed to climb or rappel in most areas of the park unless there is a ‘closed’ sign. And they usually don’t allow climbing within 300ft of popular spots like Sky Bridge, Chimney Top Rock, Nada Tunnel, and Gray’s Arch.

For more detailed information about where you should go, the Red River Gorge Climber’s Coalition has an online guidebook for almost all of the climbing routes in the area. You can climb on your own or with a guide depending on your comfort level.

Horseback Riding and Mountain Biking in Red River Gorge

If you are hoping to get some horseback riding or mountain biking in during your visit to Red River Gorge, there are a few options in the area. Powdermill Branch Trail #238 is just outside of the official Red River Gorge Geographical Area. Otherwise, you can head more towards the Cumberland District of the Daniel Boone Forest to hit up the Sheltowee Trace Trail along sections 15, 16, and 17. Both of these trails are open to horses, bikes, and hikers.

Red River Gorge Scenic Byway

If you are looking for an activity where you can relax a bit more, take a drive on the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway! The byway itself is only 46 miles long and should take you about an hour to drive. I would plan on this adventure taking a few hours if you want to get out and explore some of the sights along the way like some of the more famous arches, the visitor center, or Nada Tunnel.

Canoeing in Red River Gorge

The Red River is perfect for a day of canoeing, kayaking, or even rafting! You will have 2 canoe launches to choose from in the Red River Gorge Geographical Area. These two launches are VERY different so it is crucial that you know which one is which.

The Copperas Creek Canoe launch is the one you will want to use if you are a beginner or are hoping for a day of relaxation on the water. It does have some obstacles like sandbars and small ledges to navigate around but this area of the river is pretty calm with mostly class 1 rapids. This stretch of river is about 10.5 miles and ends at the Schoolhouse Branch confluence.

For a wild ride full of Class 3 rapids, you will want to head to the Big Branch Canoe Launch. This section of the Red River is just under 11 miles and they recommend that only expert paddlers try it. It is said to be one of the most challenging stretches of whitewater in the SE United States. Since this part of the river is remote, rescues are difficult so make sure you are confident that you are ready for it.

If you are interested in planning an epic group adventure white water rafting, consider taking a trip to New River Gorge in West Virginia. Most of my friends from that trip have gone back at least once to do it again and have even started booking rafting trips around the world!

Fishing in Red River Gorge

Several types of bass and sunfish can be found in the Red River, though it can be challenging to catch them if there are a lot of kayaks or canoes out on the water. You do need a fishing license in Kentucky that you can order online. I recommend doing a bit of research in order to find a nice current spot to put your pole in to increase your chances of catching enough fish for a meal.

Hiking Red River Gorge Dog-Friendly Trails

There are multiple trails throughout the Red River Gorge Geographical Area for your hiking enjoyment. Many of these trails are on the shorter side, with most being less than 2 miles. All of them are technically dog-friendly but some of them will depend on your dog’s capabilities.

Aside from the differences in the length of the trails, there are several trails that have metal open-aired steps. Some dogs are not comfortable and may straight up refuse to use these stairs. Two of our dogs had to be carried up and down the ones we came across.

There are also some trails that will take you across sections with drop-offs on both sides of the trail. If your dog pulls a lot on the leash, you may want to avoid these areas.  

You can usually find small parking lots at the trailheads that are along the main roads. If you are visiting the area during a busier time, you will definitely want to hit the more popular trails early in the morning to make parking easier.

If you are doing any of the trails in Koomer Ridge Campground, be aware that parking near the trailhead is only allowed for the people who paid to camp at those campsites. There is a public parking lot near the entrance of the campground that you can use. Once parked, you will have to walk to the trailhead of your choice.

Here is a breakdown of some of the trails in the park to give you a better idea of what to expect with your dog:

• Hidden Arch Trail– Located in Koomer Ridge Campground near the walk-in campsites. It is a 1.0-mile trail through the woods.
• Silvermine Arch– This one is at the back of Koomer Ridge Campground. The trail is 1.5 miles and is one of my favorite hikes in the park. There are a lot of stairs and steep spots on this trail.
• Angel’s Window– 0.25 miles and has one of the more photogenic arches in the park. This is one of the busier trails because of the shortness of the trail and the view. I would suggest doing this trail as early in the day as possible.
• Whistling Arch– Another short trail at only 0.25 miles. This stop had one of my favorite views.
• Skybridge Trail– This 1-mile trail involves a 75-step staircase and crossing over a wide bridge made of rock with no guard rails.
• Chimney Top Trail– This is an easy .25-mile trail that leads to an overlook.
• Princess Arch Trail– Another easy .25-mile trail that leads to the Princess Arch.
• Rock Bridge Trail– This is a 1.25-mile trail that leads you to the Rock Bridge Arch which is the only waterfall arch in Red River Gorge.

These are just the hikes available in the park that we’ve done. Here is a table of some of the remaining hikes in Red River Gorge:

Tips for Bringing Your Dog to Red River Gorge

If you are bringing your dog to Red River Gorge, we’ve put together some tips for you to help your trip go a little bit smoother. These are things that we’ve picked up when bringing our pack there, and what we’ve seen while encountering other travelers with their own pets.

• Bring more water than you think you will need. Hydration is crucial to you and your pup’s health outdoors. Some of the trails will interconnect with others and you could get turned around so it’s always good to bring more than you think you need just in case.
• Keep your pets on a leash. Not only is it the rule in the park, but it will be very difficult to find your dog if they run off. Your pup can get startled by an animal or a falling tree or rock, or chase after an animal. Since cell phone service is very spotty, whoever finds your dog will have to wait until they have service before they will be able to call. (We found a dog near the parking lot of one of the trails and luckily were eventually able to reunite them with its owner. The owner claimed that their dog has never run off before. Neither of us had cell service so it was pure luck that we found him.)
• Update your dog’s microchip and tag information. Attach a Pet Travel ID Card to your dog’s harness or backpack. You want as many ways as possible for whoever finds your dog to be able to contact you. The easier the better which is why an updated tag or Pet Travel ID Card is helpful.
• Use a GPS tracker. A GPS tracker can help you find your dog. Make sure you do your research to find the one that will work best in the places that you travel.
• Have a way to safely carry your dog if needed. A K9 Sportsack or an emergency harness will come in handy if your dog is injured, tired, or simply too afraid to navigate parts of the trail like the metal stairs. A 1^st Aid Kit may also come in handy. (Click here to find out what first aid items your dog would need.)
• Brush up on some training before your trip. Things like loose leash walking and recall will come in handy on the trails. You can also have your dog practice going up and down different types of stairs to make the ones you will encounter less scary.
• Keep an eye out for potentially dangerous wild animals like bears, rattlesnakes, copperheads, and coyotes. Avoid letting your dog investigate nooks and crannies that you can’t see into and pay attention to their body language. They will most likely sense a larger animal nearby before you do.

Nearby Attractions:

For ideas of places to visit in or close to Red River Gorge, check out these stops:

Attractions in the Red River Gorge Area

• The Gorge Underground (Guided underground kayak tour)
• Red River Gorge Zipline Tours
• Kentucky Reptile Zoo

Attractions Near Red River Gorge

• Carter Caves State Park (dog-friendly)
• Cumberland Falls State Park (dog-friendly)
• Kentucky Horse Park (dog-friendly)
• Several Quick Roadside Stops like an Ancient Petroglyph Rock and  Harland Sanders Café and Museum– the original KFC

Why You Should Visit:

The Red River Gorge Geological Area is a fantastic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The natural arches are great for photographers of all talents and well worth the hikes. Though most of the hikes are on the shorter side, due to the inclines they can still be challenging. If you want a break from hiking, there are many other activities available in the area.

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