Explore these 3 places around Red River Gorge, Kentucky!
Ahhhh the Red River Gorge! A place that Oliver and I really wanted to go to. Number one, Oliver has been climbing for a while now and the RRG is a well-known climbing location, and number two, Oliver has heard of MIGUEL'S PIZZA for years.
so... let's talk about Miguel's Pizza first.
MIGUEL’S PIZZA SHOP
Miguel's began in 1984 in a historic 1940s store and has always served pizza. Centrally located in a scenic location across the street from Natural Bridge State Park in the Red River Gorge area of Eastern Kentucky. It has become the "Gorge visitor hot spot" for both climbers and non-climbers.
Miguel’s Pizza Campground
Miguel's is a made-to-order pizza shop, but also offers a camping ground and a rock climbing gear shop. It is so famous around the climbing community because of cheap camping!
Camping starts at only $3.50 a night which is located right behind the restaurant. Shower and laundry facilities are located at Miguel's for an extra fee! Those of you that have vans will also have a space to park your homes! We had a rooftop tent from Thule and parked in the parking lot and slept. Miguel's also offers different types of bedrooms and housing as well, from hostel styles to full-on cabins! We had to try the pizza for dinner, but to give you my honest opinion (also I am not a huge fan of pizza), one time is enough.
Miguel’s Pizza
photo: themountainproject.com
MUIR VALLEY
About 10 miles away from Miguel's lies Muir Valley, a true climbing hot spot.
Muir Valley was founded in 2004 and is a nonprofit nature preserve and rock climbing park run by climbers, for climbers. This 360-acre valley is available to all people around the world! According to the Muir Valley website, "walled in by over seven miles of majestic cliffs of hard Corbin Sandstone that range in height from 20 feet to over 200 feet. Over 400 climbs – both trad and sport".
Our experience was absolutely ahhhmazing. We got there when it was raining and when I say it was raining, it was POURING. The lady that checked us in, which is only paying for a daily parking fee, had a sign for dry crags to visit. We parked our car and got our climbing gear and headed in... the climbing spots are ENDLESS and it is so easy to navigate the trails to get to the certain crags because they are all labeled. Due to the weather being so cloudy and rainy, we had the entire valley to only a handful of groups. The best part of the valley is the route and the rating of the route is listed on a plated plaque on each route. This makes the climbing experience so much easier as we don't need to be looking through guide books and the mountain project to find where each route is. In a few hours, we climbed 7-8 routes (lead and top rope) in a few different areas of Muir. The trails are easy to navigate and the amount of dry crags Muir has is enough to have a full day of just climbing fun. It was a memorable outdoor experience due to it being pouring, but we climbed on real dry rock.
There is no charge for admission to Muir Valley. There is a daily parking fee of $10 per vehicle or you can purchase a 12-month parking pass for $120. The next time we go to the Muir valley, we will be with our van and most likely will stay over two weeks. We will update you on that experience in a couple of months!
Just a note for our dog lovers: Dogs are not allowed in Muir Valley – either at the crag or left in a car.
***just a reminder: Always leave the place better than you found it. It's worth it.
DANIEL BOONE COFFEE SHOP
walking inside the Daniel Boone Coffee Shop
Another gem in the heart of the Red River Gorge is The Daniel Boone Coffee House. Located on 769 Natural Bridge Rd, this spot is our go-to when in Kentucky. this café serves coffee, tea, homemade baked goods, and breakfast sandwiches as well.... hold up... they also have boozy coffee drinks. Yep. They do. They can make you everything from an Irish coffee to an espresso martini.
the Daniel Boone Coffee Shop also offers a campground behind the café. Primitive Camping is $3.00 per person per night, and they also have 8 RV pull-in sites!
We found this gem by chance. Oliver is a coffee fanatic so we decided to look up a local coffee shop to go to. We were so glad to find this cozy spot! We ended up staying longer than expected and enjoyed sitting in the café and also exploring the gift shop that is attached to the coffee shop. Give it a visit!
Hiking in the Red River Gorge
on top of the Natural Bridge
We didn't spend tons of time at the RRG, but we did do some beautiful hikes. Here are some recommendations (one thing to note: there are LOADS of arches)
The Natural Bridge
Hidden Arch - known for one of the easier hikes in the Red. It is 2.3 miles relatively with no incline.
Natural Bridge - This hike is NOT in the Red but in the Natural Bridge State Resort Park. It is probably the best-known site in the area, and many people think it is part of the Red. There are approximately 7 different trails plus a skylift to reach the top of Natural Bridge. Depending on the route you take you can also see some other sites such as the fat man’s squeeze, and our favorite the devil's ladder. The trail to get to the Natural Bridge is stunning and you will not be bored at all.
Gray’s Arch Loop - One of the most popular arches. You most likely will be never alone on this hike and many weddings and events take place on this arch, so if you are wanting a quieter stroll, this hike might not be for you.
well, that's a wrap!
What a gem in the south isn't it? We cant wait to explore this place more and stay around the Red longer to soak in some more local favorites.
