Short answer: the Red River Gorge is in east-central Kentucky, inside the Daniel Boone National Forest, near the small town of Slade off the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway. (Our cabins are just up the parkway near Campton, in Wolfe County.) Entry to the national forest and the Gorge is free.
How far is it? The Gorge is more central than people expect — an easy weekend trip from much of Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee:
- Lexington — about 60–70 miles, roughly 1 hour. The closest major city and airport (Blue Grass / LEX).
- Louisville — about 90 miles, roughly 2 hours.
- Cincinnati — about 150 miles, roughly 2 hours.
- Frankfort / Richmond — both about 1 to 1.5 hours.
How to get there. From Lexington, take I-64 East toward Winchester, then the Mountain Parkway to exit 33 for Slade. From Cincinnati, take I-75 south to Lexington and pick up I-64 East to the parkway. Either way, the parkway drops you right at the doorstep of the Gorge.
Getting around once you're here. You'll want a car — the trails, arches, and overlooks are spread along a scenic loop of KY-11, KY-715, and KY-77, including the famous one-lane Nada Tunnel. There's no public transit inside the Gorge.
Where to stay — right in the area
If you're figuring out where the Gorge is, the next question is usually where to sleep. Staying inside the area beats a long daily drive in: our cabins sit about 16 minutes from the parkway's exit 33 (and about the same from Campton), so you're minutes from the trailheads instead of an hour out — with private hot tubs and fire pits for the end of the day. Simply Irresistible, Great Expectations, and Manor House are guest favorites. For spring and fall weekends, book early; cabins fill fast. Browse all our cabins →
Common questions
Where is the Red River Gorge?
The Red River Gorge is in east-central Kentucky, inside the Daniel Boone National Forest near the town of Slade, just off the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway. Entry to the national forest and the Gorge is free.
How far is the Red River Gorge from Lexington?
About 60 to 70 miles — roughly one hour. Lexington is the closest major city and airport (Blue Grass / LEX).
How do you get to the Red River Gorge?
From Lexington, take I-64 East toward Winchester, then the Mountain Parkway to exit 33 for Slade. From Cincinnati, take I-75 south to Lexington and pick up I-64 East to the parkway.