Connect with Facebook
Suggested Page Improvements to Red River Gorge
There are currently four excellent guidebooks available for the Red River Gorge, each covering different crags and regions of this enormous climbing destination:
Best of the Red – Sport Climbing Crags of the Red River Gorge (2017 Edition) by Brendan Leader. $30.00 ISBN:9780994278456 covers a huge selection of the best crags in the north, south and Miller Fork. https://bestofthered.com/products/best-of-the-red
Red River Gorge North – Volume 1 (2015 5th Edition) by Ray Ellington and Dustin Stephens. $28.00 ISBN:1938393201 covers the crags north of the Mountain Parkway. https://www.wolverinepublishing.com/store/red-river-gorge-north/
Red River Gorge South – Volume 2 (2017 5th Edition) by Ray Ellington and Blake Bowling. $33.00 ISBN:1938393279 covers the crags south of the Mountain Parkway excluding Miller Fork. https://www.wolverinepublishing.com/store/red-river-gorge-south/
Miller Fork Climbing (2015 Edition) by Ray Ellington. $39.95 ISBN:9780692471128 covers Miller Fork though due to being published when the MFRP first opened, this edition is not particularly up to date. https://www.redriverclimbing.com/millerfork/MFRPguidebooksales.htm
The Red River Gorge is home to 5 climber owned or operated businesses, between them they comprise the most popular climber hangouts.
Miguel's Pizza
Not a lot needs said about this one, Miguel's Pizza is the center of the Red River Gorge Climbing Universe. Since as early as 1984, before Red River Gorge was known as the world class climbing destination it is today, Miguel started serving up food to hungry climbers, it has been an oasis for climbers ever since. As the climbing community grew, so to did Miguel's which now offers more than just pizza, including sandwiches, bowls, salads and an excellent breakfast menu.
The Rockhouse
Located on KY 11, 4 miles past Miguels, the Red River Rockhouse is an eclectic cafe serving up Burritos, Tacos, Burgers, and Salads made with fresh ingredients and staffed primarily by climbers.
Sky Bridge Station
A bar and restaurant located in Pine Ridge, KY at the Southeastern entrance to the Daniel Boone National Forest, and minutes away from the Muir Valley climbing area. Sky Bridge is best known for their excellent selection of local draft beer and Kentucky Bourbon as well their enormous burgers made with locally sourced beef. Other menu items include quesadillas and gourmet hot dogs. Sky Bridge is known for live music on Friday and Saturday nights and hosting a Team Trivia on Tuesday nights.
Hop's Fork
Hops fork is located 4.5 miles south of Miguel's on KY 11 and shares the parking lot with the Graining Fork Nature Preserve (Roadside Crag) and the Zoo climbing areas. They serve deep fried favorites like beer battered fish and fried pickles, as well as a rotating menu of healthier food fare. They have the best selection of canned and bottled beer in the gorge, which can be bought to drink in the outdoor patio or to go. The owner of Hop's Fork also manages the Graining Fork Nature Preserve and graciously allows those climbing at the Roadside Crag and Zoo areas to park there, please show your appreciation by patronizing them with your business when climbing at these areas.
Daniel Boone Coffee Shop
Located on KY 11, just south of the Shell gas station in Slade, the Daniel Boone is the best place to grab a cup of coffee in the Red. They also offer breakfast sandwiches, lunch and have an excellent selection of shakes smoothies in addition to their selection of hot drinks. Customers are welcome to hang out and use the free wifi.
Other options in Slade, KY include the La Cabana Mexican Restaurant, The Red River Smokehouse, and the Buffet and Restaurant at the Natural Bridge State Resort Park Lodge. Additional options exist in the neighboring towns of Stanton, Campton, and Beattyville, which also happen to be the nearest towns to find groceries and other supplies.
Restaurants:
The Red River Gorge is home to a number of climber owned or operated businesses, between them they comprise the most popular climber hangouts.
Not a lot needs said about this one, Miguel's Pizza is the center of the Red River Gorge Climbing Universe. Since as early as 1984, before Red River Gorge was known as the world class climbing destination it is today, Miguel started serving up food to hungry climbers, it has been an oasis for climbers ever since. As the climbing community grew, so too did Miguel's which now offers more than just pizza, including delicious sandwiches, bowls, salads and an excellent breakfast menu.
Located on KY 11, 4 miles past Miguels, the Red River Rockhouse is an eclectic cafe serving up Burritos, Tacos, Burgers, and Salads made with fresh ingredients and staffed by climbers. Their Barbacoa, Carnitas, and Tempeh burritos are the best around.
A bar and restaurant located in Pine Ridge, KY at the Southeastern entrance to the Daniel Boone National Forest, and minutes away from the Muir Valley climbing area. Sky Bridge is best known for their excellent selection of local draft beer and Kentucky Bourbon as well their enormous burgers made with locally sourced beef. Other menu items include quesadillas and gourmet hot dogs. Sky Bridge is known for live music on Friday and Saturday nights and hosting a Team Trivia on Tuesday nights.
Hop's
Hop's is an outdoor beer garden, located 4.5 miles south of Miguel's on KY 11 sharing the parking lot with the Graining Fork Nature Preserve (Roadside Crag) and the Zoo climbing areas. They serve a rotating menu ranging from pub classics to healthier food fare and have the best selection of canned, bottled, and tap beer in the gorge. Beer can be bought to drink on the outdoor patio or to go. The owner of Hop's also manages the Graining Fork Nature Preserve and graciously allows those climbing at the Roadside Crag and Zoo areas to park there, please show your appreciation by patronizing them with your business when climbing at these areas.
Located on KY 11 just south of the Shell gas station in Slade, the Daniel Boone is the best place to grab a cup of coffee in the Red. They also offer breakfast sandwiches and lunch and have an excellent selection of shakes smoothies in addition to their selection of hot drinks. Customers are welcome to hang out and use the free wifi.
Bowen Corner Store & Deli
6230 Campton Road Stanton KY 40380
Located at the corner of 15/11 and 613 in Bowen, about 8 miles from Miguel's. Well-stocked corner store with a very reasonably priced lunch counter. The friendliest staff ever serving good food and offering an amazing array of old-school candy and snacks.
Other options in Slade, KY include the La Cabana Mexican Restaurant, The Red River Smokehouse, and the Buffet and Restaurant at the Natural Bridge State Resort Park Lodge. Additional options for fast food, coffee shops, and restaurants exist in the nearby towns of Stanton, Campton, and Beattyville, which also happen to be the nearest towns to find groceries and other supplies.
Groceries
Most will find a good selection of groceries at the Kroger in Stanton, while picky eaters can find more variety (Trader Joes, Whole Foods) in Lexington, about an hours drive away. For quick trips the Save-a-lot in Campton and the IGA in Beattyville stock all the basics.
Bluegrass Climbing School, based in the heart of the Red River Gorge, specializes in offering high quality private instruction and guided climbing for all ability levels by AMGA certified instructors. They are known for their clinics and courses on a variety of topics including trad climbing, anchor building, self rescue, multi-pitch climbing, and gym to outdoor transitions.
Operated by Red River Outdoors, they are the longest operating guide service in the Red River Gorge. Red River Gorge Guides has exclusive access to the privately owned Torrent Falls crag.
Formerly known as Torrent Falls Climbing Adventure and based in Campton, KY, Southeast Mountain Guides offers on and off site guiding and instruction.
Fox Mountain Guides
The only AMGA Accredited Guide Service in the region, Fox Mountain Guides offers trips and courses for climbers of all levels. Whether you are a complete beginner looking to climb in the Red for the first time, someone wanting to learn to lead climbs sport or trad climbs for yourself, or an aspiring climbing guide wanting to take an AMGA course, we have a program for you.
Bluegrass Climbing School, based in the heart of the Red River Gorge, specializes in offering high quality private instruction and guided climbing for all ability levels by AMGA certified instructors. They are known for their clinics and courses on a variety of topics including trad climbing, anchor building, self rescue, multi-pitch climbing, and gym to outdoor transitions.
Operated by Red River Outdoors, they are the longest operating guide service in the Red River Gorge. Red River Gorge Guides has exclusive access to the privately owned Torrent Falls crag.
Formerly known as Torrent Falls Climbing Adventure and based in Campton, KY, Southeast Mountain Guides offers on and off site guiding and instruction.
Pisgah Climbing School offers guiding and climbing instruction for beginners to advanced climbers. They provide AMGA training courses from the only licensed IFMGA Mountain Guide in the Southeast, Karsten Delap. PCS offers climbing trips all over the globe with AMGA certified guides and instructors.
