Natural Bridge launches guided hikes series

 Battleship Rock Trail, 0.75 miles long, forks off of the Original Trail to the right, follows the ridge above the parking lot, pass the foot of Devil’s Gulch, and ends beneath the Natural Bridge.Rock Garden Trail, 1.75 miles in length, starts along Battleship Rock Trail and then travels the ridge above the lodge before ending at the base of the bridge. The Original Trail is just 0.75 miles in length.  It begins just behind the gift shop and is the easiest way to get to the Natural Bridge.  The trail has a 500 elevation increase before ending at the base of the arch.The Lakeside trail connects to the campground, travels around the lake, and ends near the gift shop; this trail is 0.25 miles long.Henson’s Arch Trail, just 0.3 miles in length, features a small, unusual arch at the beginning of a cave and a ladder leading to a sinkhole.Whittleton Trail, two miles long, is the easiest walking trail in the Red River Gorge.  It begins at the Whittleton campground and follows the Whittleton Creek before ending at KY-15.   The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail meanders through the Daniel Boone National Forest, parts of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and dips into Tennessee just ten miles south of the Kentucky border.  The trail is 282 miles long with 269 of those miles within Kentucky.  This portion of the trail through Natural Bridge State Resort Park will feature the unique formations of the Red River GorgeView the list »
There are nearly 20 miles of trails at Natural Bridge State Resort Park.

Local Getaways newsletter

Natural Bridge State Resort Park, near Slade, will begin a new adventure featuring guided hikes called Natural Bridge Trek Series. The first hike is scheduled for Saturday, March 16, 2013.

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The series will consist of five hikes; the first three hikes are each four miles in length, the last two are five miles and eight miles respectively. In addition to the March 16 first hike, other dates scheduled are May 18, June 1, September 28, and October 12.

The cost to participate in this adventure is $5.00 per person per trek and includes an expert guide; Natural Bridge tee shirt will be given to those who complete all five treks. Pre-registration is required and can be made by calling the park at (800) 325-1710.

The minimum age for participation is 10 years old and those aged 10-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should dress for the weather and bring plenty of water and snacks. All hikes will leave from the Hemlock Lodge at 9:00 a.m.; a description of the hikes is included in the attached list along with maps of the trails.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park
37.777599334717 ; -83.693496704102

For more information about Natural Bridge Trek Series or to make a lodging reservation at Natural Bridge, call (800) 325-1710.

Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the Red River Gorge area of the Daniel Boone National Forest, the sandstone arch that is called Natural Bridge has stood for millenniums and some geologists believe the arch is at least a million years old. The arch is 78 feet in length, 65 feet high, 12 feet thick, and 20 feet wide.

The Hemlock Lodge at the park features 35 rooms, each with a private balcony, and the Sandstone Arches Restaurant. The lodge is just a short, but very steep, hike up the hillside to the Natural Bridge.

Other facilities at the park include cottages, gift shop, ski lift to the Natural Bridge, an outdoor swimming pool, and nearly 20 miles of hiking trails.

A little over 100 miles from Metro Louisville, Natural Bridge State Resort Park is located in east central Kentucky just two miles south of the Mountain Parkway on KY-11. More detailed driving directions can be found at www.maps.google.com.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park
2135 Natural Bridge Road
Slade, KY 40376-9701
Telephone: (606) 663-2214 or (800) 325-1710

View the list
  •  The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail meanders through the Daniel Boone National Forest, parts of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and dips into Tennessee just ten miles south of the Kentucky border.  The trail is 282 miles long with 269 of those miles within Kentucky.  This portion of the trail through Natural Bridge State Resort Park will feature the unique formations of the Red River Gorge
  •  The Original Trail is just 0.75 miles in length.  It begins just behind the gift shop and is the easiest way to get to the Natural Bridge.  The trail has a 500 elevation increase before ending at the base of the arch.The Lakeside trail connects to the campground, travels around the lake, and ends near the gift shop; this trail is 0.25 miles long.Henson’s Arch Trail, just 0.3 miles in length, features a small, unusual arch at the beginning of a cave and a ladder leading to a sinkhole.Whittleton Trail, two miles long, is the easiest walking trail in the Red River Gorge.  It begins at the Whittleton campground and follows the Whittleton Creek before ending at KY-15.  
  •  Battleship Rock Trail, 0.75 miles long, forks off of the Original Trail to the right, follows the ridge above the parking lot, pass the foot of Devil’s Gulch, and ends beneath the Natural Bridge.Rock Garden Trail, 1.75 miles in length, starts along Battleship Rock Trail and then travels the ridge above the lodge before ending at the base of the bridge.
  •  Rock Garden Trail, 1.75 miles in length, starts along Battleship Rock Trail and then travels the ridge above the lodge before ending at the base of the bridge.Hoods Branch Trail begins under the Natural Bridge and follows the base of cliffs to Hood’s Branch.  This trail features two small foot bridges and is 3.75 miles in length.Low Gap Trail, 0.5 miles long, begins at the Skylift parking lot, follows through the natural limestone gap, and then connects with the Rock Garden Trail.
  •  The Original Trail is just 0.75 miles in length.  It begins just behind the gift shop and is the easiest way to get to the Natural Bridge.  The trail has a 500 elevation increase before ending at the base of the arch.The Sand Gap Trail, at 7.5 miles, is rated the most difficult trail in the park.  The trail begins at the upper end of Balanced Rock Trail, follows an old logging road, descends steeply into Lower Hood Branch, and then climbs the opposite side of the valley.
View the list
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, Louisville Kentucky State Parks Examiner

Within her adopted home state of Kentucky, Patty has discovered, visited, and re-visited many of the 52 parks that make up the Kentucky State Park network. With lakes in western Kentucky, mountains in eastern Kentucky, and caves throughout the state, Kentucky State Parks offer something for...

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