From Almost Heaven, down to The Gorge.
Take a Roadtrip to Kentucky for an adventure!
The East (Appalachia) meets the West (Arches).
Find out what is South of Almost Heaven.
Red River Gorge-ous!
Is Red River Gorge good for kids and dogs?
Visit family-friendly trails, with kids in mind.
Discover Dog Friendly places to stay.
A first-time Guide to Red River Gorge, KY
Know before you go.
Adventure for Families. With Kids and Dogs.
Planning the Adventure
I’m a life-long West Virginian. I’ve been to Kentucky. Like, maybe five times. My sister messaged me a Tiktok video (or maybe it was a Facebook reel). In the video it showed:
- A tree house cabin
- Huge sandstone Arches
- People kayaking in Caves
Wow.. This place looks amazing!
We must go!
From my “current location” in Morgantown, WV to Slade, KY
It’s only five hours away!
For most other West Virginians; it’s closer. Y’all on the Eastern panhandle or at the Top; it’s further.
We had plans to go to the Beach. But, wanted to keep a close eye on the weather before making plans. A few days beforehand, the forecast for Virginia Beach was a balmy 60°.
Let’s go Somewhere Different
Red River Gorge
I quickly began looking at lodging options in the Red River Gorge area. Must be dog friendly and budget-friendly.
In the hunt for a place; camping was not an option for us. As we had plans to do excursions that do not allow dogs.
Where to Stay?
AirBNB had a few options; most with additional fees for dogs. I stumbled upon this beautiful cabin. It looked like it was straight outta HGTV! With amenities out the wazoo:
- Hot Tub
- Blackstone Grill
- Swinging bed, swinging hammocks, porch swing..
The Hideaway Cabin was Perfect!
Explore and Discover
At 5:00am, we left Morgantown, WV. Heading down to the Bluegrass State; the landscape changes. Once we got to Charleston, we were halfway there!
Check in for the Hideaway Cabin was at 4pm. We had time to do things. First stop?
The 900ft Natural Stone tunnel was a thrill to drive through!
A Wonderland for Thrillseekers
With families in mind, Red River Gorge must be carefully navigated. The area is home to 112 Hiking/Climbing trails. Many trails with climbing gear advised. Not kid-friendly, or dog friendly.
For a great comprehensive idea of the trails visit;
How to Plan a Weekend in Red River Gorge
Family-Friendly Trails
Trails for Kids and Dogs in the Red River Gorge area:
Rock Bridge Arch
The Rock Bridge Loop is an excellent family hike! It is a moderate 1.5 loop that takes you to Creation Falls. It provides many off-shoots to breathtaking views of Caves and Cliffs.
Creation Falls
As we winded down the hill and approached Creation Falls; we saw several groups of families. They were sticking together and enjoying the day.
We approached The Waterfall at Creation Falls. All the dogs were swimming, the kids were splashing around. Families everywhere. This is Creation. This is what LIFE is all about!
Rock Bridge
The Rock Bridge Arch is one of many arches in the Red River Gorge area.
Chimney Top Trail
The view was absolutely breathtaking!
“Excursions”
These excursions are not dog friendly. Leave the doggies to relax in the cabin!
Round-Trip tickets are $17
Ride the Lifts!
Walk the Top!
See the Bottom!
Dogs are not permitted at the State Park.
I missed the Boat! Literally. Long story.
But.. My partner, Cara got the full-experience! Read below;
“It’s a boat ride like no other. You get to wear a hard hat and reach up and touch the limestone overhead! There’s a Goonie-ish Vibe. So quiet, dark and damp feeling. Rest assured you don’t get wet though! The pet fish swim right by the boats. Some are 25 to 30lbs! Don’t forget to bring a jacket. It is chilly down under”
Explore All Around!
The Red River Gorge area is very secluded. It’s pretty barren.
There’s not a lot of businesses or establishments.
There’s not a lot of dining options. Out of the few, we picked…
Miguel’s is not just a restaurant. It’s a Campground, with a Rock Climbing Shop. A huge hang-out, an oasis for thrillist-fun/dining. With plenty of outdoor seating all around.
We ordered the BBQ pizza with pork, bacon and beef. Also, a TWO-FACED cheese pizza.
How many days to stay?
We spent 3 days/2 Nights in the area. I’d recommend more time. This is not a typical tourist-trap destination. There’s nothing here. There’s not a Titanic Museum, a fun mirror-maze zone, or a rollercoaster in sight. Slade is REMOTE!
The Adventure Capital of Kentucky
I could spend days here, it’s a natural playground!
Red River Gorge offers lots of excursions:
- Horseback Riding
- ATV Rentals
- Underground Kayaking
- Rock Climbing
- Fishing and Lake-Life such
- Hiking and Mountain-Life such
Head over to Campton, KY, Save-A-Lot is the closest grocery store.
With limited dining options and even more limited things to do; it’s not a vacation for everyone.
This is the perfect destination for thrilling mornings and relaxing evenings.
Reflect on the Journey
Coming from the North, going down South to a place I’d never been. A land dotted with Magnolia trees. The Mountain Laurels in full bloom.
Kentucky IS somewhere different
It was refreshing to explore and get lost
I’d lost all cardinal sense of direction AND had no cell phone service.
Find yourself in a Special Place.
The East (Appalachian Mountains) meets the West (sandstone Arches).
A geographical oddity of Creation.
Red River Gorge is unique.
The Creator of All; the designer of the Mountains and the Valleys.
The Source of All; living and breathing.
The Love of God; Giving Life to All.
The Invisible, yet Essential
We’re provided with the air that we breathe.
Blessed with moments that take our breath away.
Make Time to Thank God!
Get outta the house and enjoy LIFE!
Blessings Up & Down, and All Around!
Enjoy the Journey!
You are so loved ❤️
ACE Mindset Journey 
Leave a reply to First Time Festival Guide: Erie County Fair, Hamburg, NY – ACE Mindset Journey Cancel reply