Natural Bridge State Resort Park, in Slade, Kentucky, is built around a sandstone arch that spans 78 feet and stands 65 feet high. You can hike up to it on the Original Trail or ride the seasonal sky lift to within 600 feet of it, then walk across the top.
The park sits right next to the Red River Gorge Geological Area and is surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest, which makes it an easy base for a Gorge trip. It has a lodge, cottages, two campgrounds, a small lake and a trail system that ranges from a short stroll to a half day in the woods. This guide covers how to see the arch, which trails to pick, where to stay and the rules that surprise people, mostly about dogs.
Natural Bridge at a glance
| The arch | Sandstone, 78 foot span, 65 feet high |
| Location | Slade, Kentucky, beside the Red River Gorge |
| Ways up | Hiking trails or the sky lift (seasonal) |
| Lodging | Hemlock Lodge (35 rooms) and 11 cottages, open year-round |
| Camping | Two campgrounds, Whittleton and Middle Fork |
| Dogs on trails | Mostly no, because of nature preserve status (details below) |
| Park phone | 606-663-2214 |
How to get to the arch
There are two ways up, and plenty of people use one for the climb and the other for the trip down.
Hike the Original Trail
The Original Trail is the classic route, and it has history. It dates to the 1890s, when the arch was a private attraction run by a railroad. Kentucky State Parks lists it at 0.5 miles one way, rated moderate, with about a 500-foot elevation change, some gravel and short sections of steps. It starts from the Hemlock Lodge area and passes historic CCC shelters, hemlocks and rhododendron on the way up.
It is short, but it climbs steadily, so take your time. Wear real shoes, not flip flops.
Ride the sky lift
For a more relaxed trip, the sky lift starts about half a mile from the park entrance and drops you within 600 feet of Natural Bridge. According to the park, it runs daily from the first weekend of April through the last weekend of October. The park does not post prices on its main page, so call the sky lift at (606) 663-2922 for current fares and hours. The ride is a good option for kids, for anyone with knees that have opinions about stairs, and for fall color days when you would rather look than climb.
On top of the arch
You can walk across the top of Natural Bridge, and the views over the surrounding ridges are the reason most people come. The top is open rock with drops on both sides. Keep children close, stay away from the edges and do not go out there in ice or high wind.
The best trails at Natural Bridge
The park says its trails range from half a mile to seven and a half miles, and trail maps are available at Hemlock Lodge. Distances below come from the Kentucky State Parks trail listings.
- Original Trail (0.5 miles, moderate). The main route to the arch from the lodge area.
- Balanced Rock Trail (0.75 miles, strenuous). More than 600 steps, passing a cave entrance and Balanced Rock, a large weathered sandstone formation. The park notes this trail is currently closed part way, so check its status before you plan on it.
- Laurel Ridge Trail (easy). Starts at the top of Natural Bridge and follows the cliff rim past the sky lift, with views of the whole length of the arch. It connects toward the top of the Devil’s Gulch Stairway.
- Battleship Rock Trail (0.75 miles, moderate). Another route to the arch, past the foot of the Devil’s Gulch Stairway, with steep steps.
- Rock Garden Trail (1.75 miles, strenuous). Follows sandstone cliffs, with spring wildflowers like bloodroot, jack in the pulpit and phlox in April.
- Low Gap Trail (0.5 miles, moderate). The shortest route between the arch and the sky lift area, climbing through a natural gap in the rock.
- Hood’s Branch Trail (3.75 miles, moderate). Passes a historic CCC shelter from the 1930s camp at the park, plus wooden footbridges and a swampy stretch.
- Sand Gap Trail (7.5 miles, strenuous). The long, secluded one, following old logging roads into a stream valley. The park says to allow four to six hours.
- Lakeside Trail (0.25 miles, easy). A short connector by the Hoe Down Island dam area that ends at a swinging bridge kids love.
- Henson’s Arch Trail (0.3 miles, easy). A short walk from Whittleton Campground to a small arch at a cave entrance. Pet friendly.
A good first visit: Original Trail up, a walk across the arch, Laurel Ridge along the rim for the view back, then the sky lift or Battleship Rock down. If you want a longer day, add Rock Garden or Hood’s Branch.
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This is the rule that catches people out. Most of the park’s trails are inside a dedicated Kentucky State Nature Preserve, and because of that, dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails. The park names the exception as the Whittleton Trail, which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and can be reached from Whittleton Campground. The Henson’s Arch trail listing is also marked pet friendly.
The lodge and cottages are pet friendly, with no more than two pets per room or cottage. So you can bring the dog for the trip, just not up to the arch.
The preserve protects real things. The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet lists the federally endangered Virginia big-eared bat among the species found there, which is a good reason to stay on trail and stay out of closed areas.
Where to stay
Hemlock Lodge and cottages
Hemlock Lodge has 35 rooms with private balconies looking out over the woods, and the park also has 11 one-bedroom and two-bedroom cottages. Both are open year-round. The park’s own top five list includes booking a cottage or lodge room to see the fall foliage, and those dates go fast. The Sandstone Arches Restaurant is in the lodge, and the park says it uses local Kentucky Proud food when available.
Camping
The park has two campgrounds, Whittleton and Middle Fork, with both improved and primitive sites and two service buildings with showers and restrooms. Backcountry camping is not permitted inside the state park, according to the Sheltowee Trace Association’s permit guide, so if you want to sleep in the woods, look to the national forest next door. Our Red River Gorge camping guide covers those options and the overnight parking pass.
Other things to do in the park
- Mill Creek Lake. A small lake with cliffs around it. Canoe and kayak rentals run Memorial Day through Labor Day. Fishing has special rules, including a 15-inch minimum size and 3 fish daily limit for largemouth bass, and shad is not allowed as bait.
- Birding. The park says May and June are the best months, when woodland warblers are around. It recommends Hood’s Branch, Rock Garden, Whittleton Branch and Lakeside trails and the Mill Creek Lake area.
- Mini golf, swimming and picnic shelters. These run seasonally, so check what is open for your dates.
- The Sheltowee Trace. Kentucky’s long-distance trail passes through the park. If that idea appeals, read our Sheltowee Trace guide.
Combining Natural Bridge with Red River Gorge
Natural Bridge and the Red River Gorge are next door, and most trips include both. The Forest Service’s Whittleton Branch trail links the park’s Whittleton Campground with KY 15 across from Tunnel Ridge Road, which puts you right at the edge of the Gorge, with Whittleton Arch along the way. A simple two-day plan is one day at the park and one day on Gorge trails. If you are still working out when to go, our guide to the best time to visit Red River Gorge covers it season by season.
Questions people ask
How long is the hike to Natural Bridge in Kentucky?
The Original Trail is 0.5 miles one way from the lodge area, rated moderate, with about 500 feet of elevation change. It is short but steady, so set your own pace and take breaks.
Is the sky lift at Natural Bridge open?
The park says it runs daily from the first weekend in April through the last weekend in October. For prices and current hours, call (606) 663-2922.
Can you walk on top of Natural Bridge?
Yes. You can walk across the top of the arch. It is open rock with drops on both sides, so keep kids close and stay off it in icy or stormy weather.
Are dogs allowed at Natural Bridge State Resort Park?
Dogs are welcome at the lodge and cottages (up to two per room), but not on most hiking trails because they are in a state nature preserve. The Forest Service Whittleton Trail from Whittleton Campground is the main exception.
How big is Natural Bridge?
The sandstone arch spans 78 feet and is 65 feet high.
Is Natural Bridge the same as Red River Gorge?
No. Natural Bridge is a Kentucky state resort park. The Red River Gorge is part of the Daniel Boone National Forest. They sit side by side and are easy to visit on the same trip.
More in Kentucky Scenes and Red River Gorge.
