Red River Gorge Scenic Byway

This Center near the Gladie Historic Site offers information about the historical, cultural, natural, archaeological and recreational resources of the Red River Gorge section of the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Several "windows" in the golden rock of the Red River Gorge Geological Area make up the Angel Windows.

Two canoers on a beach prepare to paddle through Kentucky's Red River Gorge. Green trees, plants, and large stones flank the river.

A traveler in a canoe rides a calm stretch of Kentucky's Red River past lush, green trees.

Three swimmers wade into the calm waters of the Red River Gorge under a thick canopy of leaves.

Perhaps this massive alcove sheltered Indians in ancient days -- or perhaps it will collapse in the future and create another arch on the Sky Bridge Trail in the Red River Gorge Geological Area.

Prepare to climb several flights of stairs as you return from the lower Sky Bridge Trail in the Red River Gorge Geological Area.

The road approaches the Nada Tunnel, which is partially obscured by lush green trees.

It looks like a chill, foggy day in November for the driver on his or her way to the arch on this forest road.

The Red River Gorge Scenic Byway runs through a forest.

A visitor waves to others climbing up the mountainside below the bright red chairlift on this day in summer.

The cabin at the Gladie Historic Area nestles against a forested hill on the edge of a green pasture.

Logs chinked with white and a wood shingle roof comprise this historic cabin in Gladie Historic Area.

Logs chinked with white, a wood shingle roof, and a fine stone chimney comprise this historic cabin in Gladie Historic Area.

The Gladie house has stood for decades next to this green forest and underneath a cloud-dotted blue sky, like on this day.

You can see the forest seemingly unbroken for miles from this viewpoint at Natural Bridge.

You can walk beneath the Natural Bridge and marvel at its rough yellow rock.

Enjoy the seemingly unbroken forest for miles as you ride the chairlift.

Natural Bridge can be picked out from its surrounding green trees from this viewpoint.

Natural Bridge can be picked out from its surrounding green trees from this viewpoint.

Natural Bridge can be picked out from its surrounding green trees from this viewpoint.

How local residents accommodate this wild and active river may be seen in the buildings in the Red River Valley, such as a barn on stilts.

A hiker looks up at Sky Bridge arch overhead from the Sky Bridge Trail in Red River Gorge Geological Area.

Dense forests cloak the ridges and gorges of the Red River Gorge Geological Area, as seen from overlooks on the road to Sky Bridge.

An American flag sets off the campground's sign at this historic and shady campground on the Red River. Be sure and learn the story of the lost silver mine from the proprietor!

The Nada Tunnel entrance to Red River Gorge invites visitors to explore it.

Once the truck exits the Nada Tunnel, the waiting red car can enter this hand-hewn tunnel, which is barely wide enough for it.

In this view of Rim Rock in Red River Gorge, fall colors fill the canyon.

Fall Foliage is lovely on the Red River Gorge.

A few houses and a cabin on the outskirts of the Red River Gorge Geological Area are part of the town of Pine Ridge near the eastern end of the byway.

Visitors who start driving the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway from the west are first welcomed into the town of Stanton by this city sign.

The America's Byways sign and the Kentucky State byway sign for the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway mark the beginning of the byway in Stanton, KY.

A vanishing remnant of a time long past, the Stanton Drive In Theater is closed for winter, but opens each summer to show movies.

The Red River Gorge Scenic Byway passes part of the historic settlement of Gladie.

A car passes Gladie and approaches a bridge that leads past the trailhead to the Bison Way Trail in the Red River Gorge Geological Area.

This barn at the Gladie Settlement with a colorful quilt painted on it may become a visitor center or interpretive site in the future.

A visitor to the Gladie Learning Center orients himself on a topographical map of the Red River Gorge area.

At the edge of the Gladie clearing stands a two-story log cabin flanked by two small porches.

At the Gladie Learning Center, you can learn about the ancient inhabitants of this area and how they used the natural features of the land, such as the abundant rock alcoves and caves.

The western entrance to the Nada Tunnel is marked with many signs. The traveler is informed that the tunnel is 12 feet high, told to wait for oncoming traffic to clear the tunnel before proceeding, and also instructed about the tunnel's history.

The ancient inhabitants of the land left behind traces of their presence. This panel in the Gladie Learning Center explains what archaeologists have discovered, particularly in the rock shelters of the area.

The shadow of a hiker falls on top of Sky Bridge arch while the lower trail below it is shadowed.

A small sign next to the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway lets travelers know that beyond it lies the Clifty Wilderness of the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Perhaps long ago this small rock shelter in the Clifty Wilderness Area alongside the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway kept explorers dry on a rainy day.

Two old wooden chairs sit on the shaded porch of the Gladie cabin, evoking memories of days gone by.

A father helps his daughter cross the Red River on a pedestrian suspension bridge on the Sheltowee Trace Trail in Daniel Boone National Forest.

A couple takes their dog on a hike down the Sheltowee Trace Trail in the Red River Gorge area of Daniel Boone National Forest.

Fallen leaves lie scattered on the trailhead to the Angel Windows geological feature in the Red River Gorge Geological Area of the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Kentucky's Red River Gorge Scenic Byway receives their designation plaque at the Designation 2002 event at Union Station in Washington DC.

Two rocking chairs sit in the middle of an old fashioned cabin.

The golden cliffs of the Red River Gorge Geological Area stand out against the Daniel Boone National Forest, whose trees are just beginning to change for autumn.

The morning fog slowly clears to reveal the trees.

This black and white photo of a cabin and farm equipment shows a look back into time.

The Red River Gorge Scenic Byway crosses into Menifee County on an iron bridge over the Red River National Wild & Scenic River.

A sign on an iron bridge on the Menifee County line pronounces that the Red River is a National Wild & Scenic River.

In October, the Red River runs slow and low past muddy banks lined with overhanging trees.

The hardwood trees of the Red River Gorge Geological Area are fiery red in autumn on the trail to Sky Bridge.

A sign at one end of a suspension bridge on the Sheltowee Trace Trail lets the hiker know how far Tunnel Ridge Road and Corner Ridge are from this location.

Natural Bridge peeks above the forest, as seen from a scenic lookout.

A hiker explores the depths of the gorge below the Angel Windows on the Angel Windows Trail in the Red River Gorge Geological Area.