Natural Bridge State Resort Park
4.8(6.5K)google
4.2(36)yelp
Rock FormationHikingScenic Lookout
Overview
Natural Bridge State Resort Park is a public recreation area located along the Middle Fork of the Red River, two miles south of the unincorporated community of Slade, in Powell and Wolfe counties, Kentucky, United States. The state park lies adjacent to the Red River Gorge geologic area and is surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest. Its namesake natural bridge is the centerpiece of the park.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration4-6 hours
Best TimeMid-to-late October transforms this ancient mountain sanctuary into an autumn masterpiece. Entering the gates before 8:00 AM on a weekday is critical to avoid massive trail congestion; take the historic open-air Sky Lift up the mountain ridge to watch the early morning sun pierce the heavy forest mist and illuminate the staggering 78-foot-wide natural sandstone arch flawlessly.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned adjacent to Slade at 2135 Natural Bridge Rd. Driven travel via road trip is exceptionally smooth; take the Mountain Parkway east from Lexington to Exit 33, head due south along State Road 11 South for 2 miles, and follow prominent resort markers directly into the main gates. The park features immense, free paved trailhead parking lots.
Travel Tips
- The primary sandstone Natural Bridge trail prohibits all pets, strollers, and mountain bikes due to hazardous precipitous ledges; pet owners must reroute explicitly to the designated Whittleton trail link.
- Campground loops enforce a strict 30-foot maximum vehicle length limit; extended dual-axle fifth wheels over this threshold will be denied entry at the ranger kiosk without a refund due to severe turning-radius traps.
- The 'Fat Man's Squeeze' rock fissure allows only single-file side passage; rigid external frame backpacks exceeding 30L must be detached, and the passage is immediately closed by rangers during active flash flood storms.
Reviews
Positive
- The massive natural sandstone arch is visually stunning, and standing on top offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Red River Gorge, making the trip well worth it.
- The park provides a scenic chairlift, allowing visitors who prefer not to hike to reach the top easily while enjoying a slow, beautiful ride through the woods.
- The trails are clearly rated, ranging from gentle paths for beginners to steep routes for adventurers, catering perfectly to different fitness levels.
- As a Kentucky state park, entrance and hiking are completely free, offering exceptional value and a wonderful, pristine natural environment.
Heads up
- Some paths to the top of the bridge consist of extremely narrow stone crevices ('Fat Squeeze' stairs), which are very difficult for larger visitors or those with big backpacks.
- During peak autumn foliage weekends, parking is nearly impossible to find, and popular trails are packed with crowds, completely losing the tranquil atmosphere of nature.
- The public restrooms are not maintained frequently enough, resulting in heavy odors and a lack of toilet paper during high-traffic times, and the signs are somewhat old.
- The chairlift ticket is somewhat pricey and operations can abruptly suspend during bad or windy weather, leaving you stranded if unprepared for a strenuous hike down.