36 outfitters, guide services and outdoor operators are listed across the Red River Gorge — Lee, Menifee, Powell and Wolfe counties. Climbing guides, kayaking, horseback riding, zip lines and off-road tours. Access rules on public land change; check current closures before you go.
The Gorge sits inside the Daniel Boone National Forest, so a guided trip is often the difference between a legal outing and an accidental one. Several well-known crags sit on private land or a lease, and at least one is closed to the public entirely.
Lee County (6)
| Business | Where | Phone | Hours | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beattyville Boat Ramp | Beattyville, Lee Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Beattyville Country Club beattyvillecountryclub.com | Beattyville, Lee Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Lock No. 14 on the Kentucky River beattyville.org | Heidelberg, Lee Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Pendergrass Murray Recreational Preserve | Beattyville, Lee Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Sheltowee Trace sheltoweetrace.org | Beattyville, Lee Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Whisper Valley Riding Stables | Beattyville, Lee Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
Menifee County (4)
| Business | Where | Phone | Hours | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Rocks Nature Preserve alicerocksnaturepreserve.org | Menifee Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Cave Run Muskie Guide Service & Mountain Muskie Lodge kymuskie.com | Frenchburg, Menifee Co. | (606) 776-6567 | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Longbow Marina | Frenchburg, Menifee Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Red River Appalachian Zip Line Tours | Frenchburg, Menifee Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
Powell County (17)
| Business | Where | Phone | Hours | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced Rock Trail | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Battleship Rock Trail | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Beechfork Golf Club Inc | Clay City, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Henson’s Arch Trail | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Hood’s Branch Trail | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Lakeside Trail | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Laurel Ridge Trail | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Low Gap Trail | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Natural Bridge Cottages | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Red River Gorge Kayaking redrivergorgekayaking.com | Stanton, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Rock Garden Trail | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Sand Gap Trail | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Slade (Trail Town) | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| The Original Trail | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Thrillsville Adventure Golf redrivergorgevacations.com | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Upper Hoods Branch Trail | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Whittleton Trail | Slade, Powell Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
Wolfe County (9)
| Business | Where | Phone | Hours | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Branch Climbing Area ashbranchclimbing.com | Wolfe Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Bluegrass Climbing School bluegrassclimbingschool.com | Rogers, Wolfe Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Cable’s Riding Stables | Campton, Wolfe Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Crazy Martha’s Pay Lake | Campton, Wolfe Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Muir Valley Nature Preserve muirvalley.com | Rogers, Wolfe Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Red River | Campton, Wolfe Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Red River Gorge Trail Rides | Campton, Wolfe Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Red River Gorge Zipline redrivergorgezipline.com | Campton, Wolfe Co. | — | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Southeast Mountain Guides southeastmountainguides.com | Campton, Wolfe Co. | (606) 668-6613 | — | 2026-09-08 |
Questions
Do I need a guide to climb here?
No, but you do need to know whose land you are on. Some of the best-known walls are privately owned or leased, some require a signed waiver and a parking fee, and the Forest Service prohibits climbing within 300 feet of several named overlooks.
More of the Gorge
- Red River Gorge Cabins & Lodging
- Red River Gorge Restaurants & Food
- Red River Gorge Attractions & Landmarks
- Red River Gorge Shops, Groceries & Supplies
- Red River Gorge Local Services & Trades
- What’s closed right now
- Events calendar
Location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Listing details from Kentucky Tourism, Kentucky State Parks, the Red River Gorge Chamber of Commerce, the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition, the City of Beattyville and the businesses’ own websites.