The Natural Bridge arch is one of the biggest draws to Red River Gorge! As one of the largest arches in the region, it truly feels like a natural marvel.
We visited many arches in Red River Gorge, including the famous Rock Bridge and Grays Arch, and the hike to Natural Bridge was one of our favorites! The region is one of the best hiking destinations in the eastern United States.
Although some steep sections were along the trail, it was easy enough for us to complete in less than 30 minutes, even with stopping for photos.
Of course, there are so many more trails and other things to do at Natural Bridge State Resort Park than just the trail to the arch! And we will share about them below. So, let’s start planning your next adventure to Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge, Kentucky.
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Fun Facts About Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Kentucky
- Natural Bridge State Resort Park is one of the four original Kentucky State Parks and was dedicated in 1926.
- The park was originally a tourist attraction founded by the Lexington and Eastern Railroad in 1895.
- The Natural Bridge Arch in Red River Gorge is 78 feet long, 65 feet high, and 20 feet wide.
- The sandstone arch was formed naturally by wind and rain over millions of years.
Did You Know? There are several “Natural Bridges” all across the USA! This post is about the Kentucky Natural Bridge, but there are Natural Bridge State Parks in Virginia, Wisconsin, and Arizona, to name a few.
Things to Know Before You Hike to Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge
Parking for Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge
The best place to park for the Original Trail to the Natural Bridge in Natural Bridge State Resort Park is the parking lot next to the swinging bridge and gift shop. It’s a pretty large lot, so parking shouldn’t be too hard to find.
However, if that parking lot is full, you can park at the lot off Natural Bridge Road (KY Route 11). From there, you’ll follow the Lake Side Trail to the swinging bridge and connect to the Original Trail. The Lake Side Trail is about 1/4 mile long.
Dangerous Cliffs
The Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge is beautiful! However, remember there are no guards or railings on top of the arch. You’ll want to keep kids away from the edges and within arm’s reach, especially small ones.
Wildlife
Red River Gorge has many wildlife species, including the occasional black bear and poisonous snakes. Always be aware of your surroundings and watch out for the wildlife.
No Pets
Dogs are not allowed on the trails inside Natural Bridge State Resort Park, with the exception of Henson Arch Trail and Whittleton Trail (accessed at the Whittleton Campground).
Be a Responsible Visitor
Remember as you visit Natural Bridge State Resort Park to respect nature. Stay on established paths, pack out your trash (including food waste), and leave what you find behind.
The more popular these destinations become, the more we need to be diligent about keeping our parks and lands clean and safe for all. You can learn more here.
Amenities at Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Restrooms
Clean restrooms are available right near the parking area on the far side of the gift shop.
Gift Shop
Whether you need some trail snacks, a souvenir to commemorate your trip, or some new gear, the gift shop at Natural Bridge probably has what you need.
Restaurants
Hemlock Lodge, a short walk from the parking area, is home to two restaurants: Sandstone Arches and Trails End Tavern. Both are open with limited hours, so visit the website for the most updated information.
Hike the Original Trail to Natural Bridge in Kentucky
| Trail Location: | Next to the gift shop and parking lot by the Swinging Bridge at Natural Bridge State Resort Park |
| Trail Length: | .75 miles to the base of the Natural Bridge arch |
| Trail Difficulty: | Moderate |
| Trail Type: | Varied (can make it into a loop trail – details below) |
| Elevation Gain: | 400 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | No. Dogs are not allowed at Natural Bridge State Resort Park. |
The Original Trail is the shortest trail to the base of the Natural Bridge Arch. At .75 miles, it is less than 30 minutes to reach the bottom of the arch, and it’s one of our favorite hiking trails in Red River Gorge.
Trailhead
The Original Trail starts by the gift shop, just up a few stairs from the parking area.
What to Expect on The Original Trail to Natural Bridge
The Original Trail is on the easy side of moderate. There are both wooden and stone steps along the trail and a steady ascent as you get closer to the arch.
If you need a break, there are several places to rest along the trail, including a few shelters built in the 1930s.
There are a few splits along the trail where you can connect to the Battleship Rock Trail. We recommend staying on the Original Trail to the base and returning via the Battleship Rock Trail (more info below).
The Base of Natural Bridge
Once you reach the base of the arch, you’ll want to sit and enjoy the magnitude of the arch! It’s hard to capture in photos how large it really is.
If you want to climb to the top of the arch, follow the trail under the arch and to the left. There, you will find a stone staircase leading you to the Laurel Ridge Trail and the top of the arch.
The Laurel Ridge Trail at Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Kentucky
| Trail Location: | On top of Natural Bridge at Natural Bridge State Resort Park |
| Trail Length: | .75 miles from top of the arch to Lover’s Leap |
| Trail Difficulty: | Easy |
| Trail Type: | Varied (can make it a loop trail – see details below) |
| Elevation Gain: | 50 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | No. Dogs are not allowed at Natural Bridge State Resort Park |
Once you’ve reached the Natural Bridge Arch, you’ll want to continue on the Laurel Ridge Trail for some fantastic views! This flat, easy trail leads to a beautiful overlook of the Natural Bridge.
Getting to the Laurel Ridge Trail
You can access the Laurel Ridge Trail in several ways. First, from the base of the Natural Bridge arch, you’ll climb the stone steps to the top of the arch.
Another option is to take the Battleship Rock Trail to the Devil’s Gulch or Needle’s Eyes and climb the stairs to Laurel Ridge Trail.
Lastly, you can take the Sky Lift (for a fee). The Sky Lift drops you off about halfway through the trail.
What to Expect on the Laurel Ridge Trail
The Laurel Ridge Trail is a flat 3/4 mile trail leading from the Natural Bridge arch to Lover’s Leap. Follow the trail for beautiful views of the park and the Natural Bridge. Once you’ve seen all of the beautiful views, you can either backtrack down the Original Trail, take the Sky Lift down, or climb down the Needle’s Eye or Devil’s Gulch.
We chose to climb down Devil’s Gulch. It was steep, but we went slowly and held on to the railings.
More Hikes at Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge
Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Kentucky has several miles of hiking trails. Many intersect, so you can combine them to create a perfect hike for you and your family.
Some of the hikes lead to and from the Sky Lift parking area. You can take the Sky Lift up to Natural Bridge and then hike back via one of the trails.
Sand Gap Trail
At 7.5 miles long, it’s the longest trail at Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the most challenging. Allow 4-6 hours to complete.
Hood’s Branch Trail
This is one of the trails you can access from the Sky Lift parking area. This 3-mile trail leads to the base of Natural Bridge, where you can connect to the Laurel Ridge Trail or Original Trail.
Rock Garden Trail
The Rock Garden Trail is one of the easier trails, with only an elevation change of 200 feet over 1.75 miles, although steep staircases are along the trail.
To access the trail, you must take the Battleship Trail first. You can also take the trail from the base of Natural Bridge.
The Rock Garden Trail connects to the Low Gap Trail, which leads back to the Sky Lift parking area.
Battleship Rock Trail
We took Battleship Rock Trail from the Devil’s Gulch back to the parking area by the gift shop. It’s a relatively easy trail with a slight elevation change.
The entire trail is .75 miles and connects to the Original Trail on both ends.
Other Things to Do at Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Sky Lift to Natural Bridge
One of the most popular things to do in Red River Gorge is the Sky Lift to the Natural Bridge. It’s perfect for those who can’t or don’t want to hike to the top.
The Sky Lift at Natural Bridge typically runs weekends in March and then daily from April through mid-November as weather allows.
You can purchase round-trip or one-way tickets, so if you want to hike back down, you can! You’ll want to take either the Hood’s Branch or Rock Garden trails.
Swimming
Natural Bridge State Resort Park has a swimming pool at the lodge. Day passes are available at the gift shop.
Miniature Golf
An 18-hole mini golf course is located right next to the Sky Lift parking area.
Where to Stay Near Natural Bridge State Resort Park
If you’re going to be hiking in Natural Bridge State Resort Park, you might as well stay there! Hemlock Lodge has 35 private rooms if you’re looking for a hotel-style stay. They also have 11 one-bedroom and two-bedroom cottages on the property.
There are also many places to rent cabins and homes near Natural Bridge. We recommend staying in Pine Ridge, Rogers, or Slade to be close to the park.
Wrapping Up Natural Bridge in Red River Gorge
We loved visiting the Red River Gorge area in Kentucky! The beauty of the natural stone arches throughout the region makes this area a destination everyone should visit at least once in their lives!
And with the many fantastic hiking trails in the area, like our favorite waterfall hike, or the hike to Grays Arch, it’s a great place for any outdoor lover.
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