Ancient History

The Red River Gorge area covers 442 known archaeological and historic sites.^[6] Rockshelters comprise a large portion of this number. The rockshelters of the gorge held evidence of prehistoric occupation, commonly including the use of hearths. Several of these rockshelters are named for their historical significance, including the Cloudsplitter, Newt Kash, Haystack, and Rogers shelters. Petroglyphs of animals can be found in many of these shelters as well.

Archaeologists have found large amounts of evidence for hunter-gatherer societies using the gorge as hunting grounds as well a temporary home. Notable finds include atlatl, stone tools, mortar and pestles, and woven storage containers. Storage pits were also found in great quantities. They commonly held plants, early medicines, nuts, tools, and other raw materials like wood or leather. ^[7]

The area also shows the development of Native American societies. Archaeological evidence shows human occupation from over 12,000 years ago. Using various dating techniques, archaeologists have been able to date the clay storage vessels and stone tools found here to determine when certain pieces were made and used. When compared chronologically, the archaeological evidence provides support for larger claims about the ancient (to relatively modern) Native Americans.^[7]

The Red River Gorge and the surrounding area is believed to be one of the earliest examples of plant domestication.^[7]

Nada Tunnel

Nada Tunnel is a 900-foot-long (270 m), 12-foot-wide (3.7 m), and 13-foot-high (4.0 m) logging tunnel built between 1910 and 1912. Rock and dirt were removed by dynamite, steam drills, and hand tools. One man was killed during tunnel construction when he attempted to thaw frozen dynamite which exploded when he set it near a fire.^[8]

The tunnel has often been described as the "Gateway to Red River Gorge" for the shortcut it provides motorists.^[9][10]

History of the proposed Red River Gorge Dam

The Red River's tendency to flood offered downstream residents much misery. In 1962 the "Great Flood of Clay City," the worst seen in 102 years, moved both government officials and local communities to lobby the Kentucky State Legislature and the Kennedy administration for immediate construction of a flood control dam. The United States Congress ultimately approved the measure and provided funding. The Army Corps of Engineers set about their business of making the structure a reality; however, many felt that such actions would destroy the unique ecosystem residing in the dam inundation area. The Sierra Club spearheaded the formation of a group opposed to the construction of the dam. This group obtained the help of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas by participating in a Dam Protest Hike which drew local and national attention to the situation. The Dam Protest Hike took place on November 18, 1967, at the Clifty Wilderness area junction of Swift Camp Creek and the Red River, Highway 715.

In 1971, the University Press of Kentucky commissioned Wendell Berry, a Kentucky native farmer and author to write a book, The Unforeseen Wilderness, advocating the preservation of the gorge in its natural state.

The struggle of wills lasted several decades, and involved two proposed dam sites. It finally concluded with Red River's entry into the National Wild and Scenic River system on December 3, 1993, when President Bill Clinton signed "H.R.914 - Red River Designation Act of 1993," into law. The bill was sponsored by U.S. Representative Hal Rogers and provides federal protection for a 19.4-mile (31.2 km) section of the river.^[11] This legislation precluded the construction of any dam on the Red River, helping to preserve the Gorge as it exists today.^[12]

Motion pictures

The Red River Gorge's Sky Bridge appears in the 1955 film The Kentuckian, starring and directed by Burt Lancaster.^[13]

Folk Lore and Mythology

The Red River Gorge has been the site of several reported supernatural occurrences. The most notable of them being the well-known Bigfoot and the lesser-known Man-Wolf^[14]. Since the 1980's there have been several supposed sightings and reports of Bigfoot, however none were ever confirmed.

The Man-Wolf sightings hold more credibility. The several dozen reports since the 1990's come together to describe it as seven to eight feet tall while standing on two legs, glowing yellow or red eyes, hands (not paws) with long claws, and a range of grey to black fur. It is also said to hunt deer and eat roadkill.^[14]

Most of these sightings can be attributed to the area's black bear population and a good bit of misunderstanding. However, in 2024, a large "dog-like" creature was shot not far from Red River Gorge in Munfordville, Kentucky. The animal was later DNA tested by the National Wildlife Research Center in Colorado and was determined to be a federally endangered gray wolf. This fueled the Man-Wolf myth since gray wolves have been considered extirpated from Kentucky since the 1800's.^[14]

Rock climbing

The Red River Gorge is a popular destination for rock climbers. The area has numerous cliffs in the gorge and in the surrounding areas. The vast number of bolted routes in overhanging, pocketed sandstone draws climbers from all over the world to "the Red" as it is known. Climbing in the region is often done at many separate small cliffs. Most climbs are a single pitch and most cliffs are less than 200 ft (61 m) tall. There are numerous traditional and sport climbing routes in the region, although the latter are more dominant. Many cliffs lie within Daniel Boone National Forest; however several important cliffs are located on private land and in privately owned preserves created to allow climbing access. Among the private preserves are:

1. Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve is a 750-acre (3.0 km²) preserve owned and maintained by Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition.
2. Muir Valley is a 400-acre (1.6 km²) nature preserve and rock climbing area owned and maintained by Friends of Muir Valley thanks to a generous donation of land, labor, and resources from Rick and Liz Weber.^[22]

A number of climbing guidebooks have been published for the Red River Gorge. First was Red River Gorge Climber's Guide by Frank T Becker in 1975. The explosion of climbing activity since that seminal work led to a succession of other guidebooks, including Rawk! A Climber's Guide to the Red River Gorge by Ed Benjamin and Ed Pearsall, published in 1978, Red River Gorge Climbs by John H. Bronaugh, published in 1993, and Selected Climbs at Red River Gorge Kentucky by Porter Jarrard and Chris Snyder, published in 1997. More recent published guidebooks include Ray Ellington's Red River Gorge Rock Climbs, published in 2005^[23] with a second edition in 2007.^[24] The continued establishment of new routes required the latest edition to the guidebook to become two volumes, Red River Gorge Climbs South^[25] and Red River Gorge Climbs North.^[26] Ray Ellington's newest book, Miller Fork Climbing, explores hundreds of routes in the ever-growing Miller Fork Recreational Preserve.^[27]

Miguel's Pizza, a restaurant in Slade, Kentucky, is widely regarded as the hub of climbing culture in the Red River Gorge.^[28][29] Most climbing guidebooks and websites use Miguel's as the starting point for directions to climbing areas ("from Miguel's, turn...").^[30]

Hiking and camping

The Red River Gorge is also known for its hiking trails that range in difficulty from beginner to advanced. Over 60 mi (97 km) of trails, open only to hiking, are maintained by the Forest Service and are located throughout the park (some trails are designated for horses).

There are many campgrounds in the area. Primitive camping, also known as backpack camping, is permitted in the gorge if the camper(s) obtains an overnight permit. Camping is not permitted within 300 ft (91 m) of any road or designated trail. No camping in rock shelters or within 100 ft (30 m) of the base of any cliff.

One of the most popular destinations is Gray's Arch, one of the many natural arches in the park. Gray's Arch is accessible via the Gray's Arch Loop hiking trail (4 mi (6.4 km)), hikers can scramble up the back side of the arch, although this activity is considered extremely dangerous and can lead to injury or death.^[31]