Since childhood, I was raised with a love for the outdoors—hiking, camping, fishing, and four-wheeling were a constant part of my life. I can’t remember a single week, let alone a month, when my family didn’t head out on a hike, even if it was just a short local trail. This created a deep connection for me to one of the most breathtaking places in our state: The Red River Gorge (commonly called The Gorge).
My hope is to share the beauty of this incredible area and inspire others to experience and cherish it as much as I do. I’m particularly drawn to the hiking opportunities The Gorge offers, even though there’s so much more to do there. With that in mind, I’d like to share my top 3 favorite trails:
1: Indian Staircase and Indian Arch (3.5 miles)
This hike is easily my favorite. It begins in the valley next to Gladie Creek and gradually meanders around the foothills. The valley’s scenery is truly breathtaking. As you follow the trail, you’ll come across a steep rock face. I wouldn’t advise attempting to climb it; instead, stay on the trail to the left, which steadily climbs until you reach the top of the rock face. The view from the top is indescribably beautiful. After enjoying the summit, simply retrace your steps back down the same route. I would recommend allowing three-four hours of your day to enjoy this entire hike and explore.
2: Creation Falls (4.7 miles)
In second place is Creation Falls: a trail filled with cherished memories for me and my family. Whenever we had a quick day trip to the Gorge, this was always our go-to spot. It’s an easy yet stunning trail that begins atop a foothill. The hike quickly descends into a valley that follows Son’s Branch Creek. Eventually, you reach the falls—a smaller waterfall, but still incredibly beautiful. The creek flows into Swift Camp Creek, which you follow on your hike out. Despite being a popular trail, it remains one of my top five favorites.
3. Copperas Falls (3.1 miles)
In third place is Copperas Falls, a more challenging trail compared to the others I’ve listed. The difficulty makes the scenery all the more rewarding. The trail follows Copperas Creek, winding through the valley as you cross the creek multiple times and pass several caves—though I wouldn’t recommend venturing too deep into them. The rock formations along the way are remarkable, with massive rocks that have fallen from the top of the foothills, offering a humbling perspective on the scale of our world. When you reach the falls, it’s significantly taller than Creation Falls. Behind the waterfall is a rock shelter where many people gather to sit and sing. On occasion, you can hear the echo of their voices reverberating off the valley, even if you’re still a few minutes away. This hike will always hold a special place in my heart.
The Gorge offers a wide range of outdoor activities, from exploring scenic trails to four-wheeling, climbing, canoeing, hunting, fishing, zip-lining, and camping. There’s always something to do. One of my second favorite activities at The Gorge is four-wheeling. My dad and I often take trips together, combining camping with off-road adventures as we explore different spots. Spending this quality time with my family makes visiting The Gorge even more special.
Now that I’m 18, I find myself visiting the Gorge more often, drawn back time and time again by its breathtaking beauty. It’s a place that never fails to inspire me, and I hope to make it a part of my life’s journey—creating memories here with my future family. If you feel the call to explore this incredible destination, I recommend downloading the AllTrails app. It’s a great tool for discovering trails and finding your way to the ones I’ve mentioned. I hope you too will visit and create your own cherished memories.
