The Red River Gorge is a unique area of the Daniel Boone National Forest that is designated as a National Natural Landmark. Located in eastern-central Kentucky, within the sandstone belt of the Pottsville Escarpment, this area has been beautifully sculpted by millions of years of wind and water erosion.

Today, the Red River Gorge is a popular place for hiking, exploring, camping, and climbing. Yet despite the popularity, you can easily find yourself in the solitude of nature, given 29,000 acres of spectacular cliffs, rock shelters, waterfalls, caves, swimming holes, and over 100 natural arches.

The Gladie Cultural-Environmental Learning Center , located at the Gladie Historic Site on KY 715, provides Red River Gorge information, maps, and educational opportunities. The Center's hours are now 7 days/week 9am - 5:30pm.

Please read the seven most important things that the Backcountry Rangers want you to know before you visit the Red River Gorge!

Officials May Have Bear Who Attacked Man Cornered
Officials in Lee County said late Tuesday afternoon that they have cornered a bear that may be the same bear that attacked a man in the Red River Gorge late last month. Ongoing details can be found in our News Forum.

Red River Gorge reopened, food storage order issued
Forest Supervisor Frank Beum of the Daniel Boone National Forest announced that the Red River Gorge Geological Area will reopen on Friday, July 2 beginning at 8 am. Also the Daniel Boone National Forest issued an order for the Red River Gorge that prohibits open food storage or leaving food accessible to bears.

You will find all the details, with a link to the news release explaining the food storage order that is now law in our News Forum.

Black Bear Attack Prompts Temporary Closure Of Red River Gorge Geological Area
A hiker was attacked by a black bear on a trail off of Tunnel Ridge Road on Sunday afternoon, and the Red River Gorge has been closed until the bear is captured. Go to our News Forum for details as this story continues to develop.

Thanksgiving in June?
On June 12, Rob Armstrong prepared what I called a "Thanksgiving feast" at the amphitheater in Koomer Ridge Campground, all in cast iron charcoal-fired Dutch Ovens. "The only thing missing is dressing", said our Chef. Take a peak at some of his delicious food in our News Forum.

First "Leave No Trace" Hot Spot: Red River Gorge
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has chosen the Red River Gorge as it's inaugural "Hot Spot", an initiative designed to raise awareness for areas with critical recreational impact, and they are looking for volunteers. Link to the details in our News Forum.

2010 RRG Summer Newsletter
The 2010 RRG May/June/July Newsletter is available here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/districts/cumberland/MayJuneJuly2010.pdf

300 foot rule soon to be enforced
Heads up! That's what Back Country Ranger Brad Shoemaker gave us as we were striking camp on a Sunday morning. Brad was working his way along Tunnel Ridge Road warning campers that the Forest Service is about to start enforcing the "Do not camp within 300 feet of any parking lot, road, or official trail" rule. Find out how they determine the distance in our News Forum.

Winners announced for the Don Fig RRG Book Collection Giveaway
The Red River Saga proudly announces the winners of the RED RIVER GORGE BOOK COLLECTION - Two sets of a 6-Book giveaway, written by the Living Legend, retired USFS Ranger Don F. Fig, founder of the Red River Gorge Mountain Rescue Team, with over 1600 career search and rescuse missions under his belt. Key your eye on RRS for more giveaways and a volume of RRG history and new discoveries!

Your Ultimate Red River Gorge News Source
On January 1, 2010, RedRiverSaga.com took their acclaimed RRG news forum offline and joined forces with RRGtoday.com in a joint effort to bring you the broadest and most comprehensive Red River Gorge News Source online today. In our merged forum you will find it all, from events to tragedies, from blog and photo links to book releases. If you are serious about keeping up with Red River Gorge news, our new forum is your best bookmark. Because we are serious about providing you with a targeted, in depth RRG news outlet.

Join us today at: RRG Today / Red River Saga News and Open Discussion Forum

Cave Closure 2010
The caves in the Red River Gorge and on the Daniel Boone National Forest remain closed as we head into the new year, with no hint of when they may re-open. Link to the latest research in our News Forum.

Zipline Fantacy Unveiled
It's every child's flying dream come true, and it's coming to the Red River Gorge area. Get the details in our News Forum.

This video is courtesy of our friends at redriversaga.com

RRGtoday's Featured Article Featured Article Featured Article Featured

Part of the Gorge has Moved South by Jim Stickley, Post Date: March 19, 2010 Have you ever hiked along the ridge tops in the Red River Gorge and wondered why the white sand looked like the sands of the Gulf Shores? If you have, your association was right on target. Millions of years ago, most of the white sand in the Appalachians followed rivers southward, and deposited itself on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The sand from the Red River Gorge area is believed to have landed in one specific place, a place that is now known as Siesta Beach. Today, this beach in Sarasota county, Florida, is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, because of it's pristine sand.

While most sand is comprised of pulverized shells, lava, or coral, the sand on Siesta Beach is 99% pure quartz, with a soft texture that has been compared to finely ground sugar, and is so reflective that it stays cool under the blazing sun. This may sound like tourism hype, but I know it to be true.

When my daughter was four years of age, she threw herself down on Siesta Beach, extended her hand, and asked, "Daddy, will you drag me through the sand again?" We drew a lot of laughs as I walked down the beach dragging a happy little girl behind me. Now that's soft sand!

If you're a camper who would like to follow the Red River Gorge sand south for Spring Break 2010, Oscar Scherer State Park is the place to pitch your tent. From there, you will be minutes away from the Siesta Key barrier island, although you may have to wait in traffic if the drawbridge is up to let a majestic ship pass by.

The State Park alone is worth the trip, with secluded white sand trails and a fresh water lake to swim in. For the price of a hotel room for two nights, you can spend a week there. Both offer hot showers, but the park offers two things that hotels don't: evenings spent around a campfire, and mischievous racoons. It's best to feed only the fire.