After just our first hike in this beautiful area of Kentucky,
Bill and I already realize we will not make a dent in all the wonderful hikes.
We want to remember a few things for our return trip.
If I just file the papers and notes, I will lose them or forget about them;o((
So I figured I would do a quick blog and then I will know where they are;o))
Also, I thought this might help anyone else who may be interested in visiting.
When we planned our summer trip and made our reservations,
we did not realize that Natural Bridge is located right across the road from the
Red River Gorge Geological Area which also has many, many miles of hiking trails.
You can car tour on the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, a 45 mile loop. (Rts. 11, 15, 77 & 715)
Below is a list of the Red River Gorge hiking trails by number.
Add all this hiking to the trails at Natural Bridge State Park...
you will need several visit to make a dent;o))
Natural Bridge State Park Hiking Trails Map
Important State Park Rules and Information.
(They do enforce these rules!!)
However campground rules are kind of overlooked;o(
Our least favorite things here are the campgrounds. If you have a rig that is 35 feet or longer, you are really limited. Other than Natural Bridge State Park’s 2 campgrounds, Middlefork or Whittleton, there isn’t anything within driving distance of the Red River Gorge or Natural Bridge State Park.
Middlefork CG is located a mile south of the main park entrance on the same side of Route 11.
Whittleton CG is located 1/4 mile south of the main park entrance on the other side of Route 11.
Our choice would be Middlefork Campground.
We would only return if one of these four sites is available:
B9, B21, B2, or B3 in that order, unless it is hot than B21 would be our first choice.
All the “B” sites have water and 30amp electric,
except the 8 pull-thru sites which have 50amp electric.
Site B9: Riverfront and secluded, room for rig and vehicle, need long hose for water connection.
B21: 50amp pull-thru, connections on patio side, car has to be parked on patio, tight sites
B2: 30amp, need to back up as far as possible to get level, no connection problems, room for vehicle
B3: 30amp, need to back up as far as possible to get level, room for vehicle, connections on patio side, need long hose and electric cord
BIG NOTE TO SELF!!!
Avoid July 4th Weekend and summer Fridays & Saturdays!!!
Campground when we checked in on Wednesday, July 2nd.
Campground from Thursday, July 3rd through Saturday, July 5th
Our site, B21, during the July 4th Weekend ;o(((
The campground emptied out again on Sunday and isn't booked up again until Friday afternoon. If we return during the summertime, we would arrive on Saturday and leave on Friday. That would give us Sunday to Thursday (5 days) to enjoy the hiking trails, campground and state park:o))
We would NOT stay in Whittleton Campground. 
Only the sites along this long one-way road can accommodate larger rigs.
Reserve America list sites A23-A37 as large enough for 40ft rigs.
That may be true if you can get it backed in off the narrow road with a steep drop-off.
Also, if you meet a rig, coming or going, one of you has to back up…no room to pass.
Add to that if your rig is 40ft, you have no where to park your vehicle.
Sorry, we’ll pass on this campground ;o((
Great info....thanks for the details. Sounds like a place we would enjoy exploring!
ReplyDeleteI like to use my blog to remember places and campsites too. It looks like a very nice place but not too big rig friendly it would appear.
ReplyDeleteFabulous information!! What a great idea to use your blog to put in all the information you want to remember. I have scores of folders on each of the places we've been. Yours is a MUCH better idea, plus we can all benefit from your knowledge. All I have to do is create a folder to put the links to all your great info post. LOL Of course the problem for me is how to stick in an info post. I'm already always playing catch up.
ReplyDeleteLooks like hikers paradise-!
ReplyDeleteFlying J wasn't that busy on July 4th! ;c)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of trails, you must be in heaven! Hiking Heaven! :cD
I'm exhausted just reading about all those hikes :) Looks like a wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links, this is on my list of places to return for a solo hiking trip either this fall or the coming spring. Gonna hike the Gorge, but had planned on tenting it at Koomer Ridge for easy access to the trails.
ReplyDelete