Kentucky
Trip Ideas

The Scenic Drive To Red River Gorge Is Almost As Beautiful As The Destination Itself

Red River Gorge Scenic Byway in Kentucky offers a stunning 46-mile drive filled with outdoor adventures and breathtaking views.

Updated Aug 22, 2023

Written by 

Sarah McCosham

The crown jewel of Kentucky, Red River Gorge is teeming with outdoor recreation and adventure, offering next-level hiking, kayaking, fishing, climbing, and camping. It’s also one of the most scenic places in the country, and you can experience its grandeur on the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway. This 46-mile scenic drive in Kentucky is one of the most beautiful routes you’ll ever take, and it is a perfect way to experience the resplendence of the area. If you're been looking for the "best scenic drives near me" in Kentucky, it's safe to say: Your search is over.

Red River Gorge is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacularly beautiful places in Kentucky. Known as the "Grand Canyon of Kentucky," it is a canyon system along the Red River in the eastern part of the state.

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This Daniel Boone National Forest scenic drive highlights the gorge, which is a magical place any time of the year, offering some of the very best outdoor recreation in the country...

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...and the adventure begins even before you enter the park, itself.

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The 900-foot Nada Tunnel, known as the "Gateway to Red River Gorge," is a former railroad tunnel that offers a shortcut into the park.

Driving through the one-lane Nada Tunnel is a harrowing experience, but it's part of the excitement of a trip to the gorge. And in the interest of full disclosure, locals also claim it's haunted!

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The tunnel is just the beginning of the beauty that awaits along this supremely scenic drive in Kentucky. Grab a map from the Slade Welcome Center (30 L&E Railroad Pl, Slade, KY, 40376) and chart out your adventure!

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Spanning 46 miles, start to finish, the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway packs quite a punch in terms of history, points of interest, and stunning vistas. The scenic byway follows the twists and turns of Red River, the first National Wild and Scenic River in Kentucky, with each view somehow better than the last.

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Along the way, you'll pass Gladie Cultural and Environmental Learning Center, a pastoral area that has a reconstructed log home dating back to the late 1800s.

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The road continues on KY-715. You'll definitely want to pull over and stop at Swift Camp Creek Overlook - the views here are iconic!

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Speaking of stops, although this scenic drive in Kentucky spans just 46 miles, you'll want to give yourself plenty of time to stop and smell the roses... or, in this case, see the views!

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Because these views? Pardon the pun, but, gorgeous.

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The journey truly is part of the experience. Have you taken this Daniel Boone National Forest scenic drive before? Isn’t it absolutely beautiful? You can learn more about this beautiful byway at the U.S. Forest Service website. Check out this video from YouTubers Little Bit Moore for a sneak peek of some of the highlights along this scenic drive in Kentucky:

Looking for more scenic drives in KY? This route through Kentucky Horse Country is breathtakingly beautiful! And if you need a place to stay in the Gorge, this dome Vrbo is pretty spectacular.

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Trip Ideas|Day Trips

If You Only Have One Day to Visit This Small Town in Kentucky, Here’s Everything You Absolutely Can’t Miss

Published Sep 23, 2024

Written by 

Kelly Carroll

A small town of about 18,000 people in southwestern Kentucky, Murray is the ideal place to spend a day. Case in point: Murray has been voted the "friendliest small town in America" by Rand McNally and USA Today five times! There's much to love about Murray beyond its friendly people. But what if you only have one day to spend in this treasured small town? We've compiled a list of four must-see attractions for a day trip to Murray, Kentucky:

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1. Murray's Historic Town Square

The first thing visitors must see is Murray's historic town square. The square is a great place to walk around, shop, and grab a bite to eat. Murray City Hall is on the corner of 5th and Main Street. Nearby are three bookstores: Bolin's Books, Newlife Christian Bookstore, and Bookmark. The Main Street Market, a boutique grocery store, is also on Main Street. Hungry day trippers can eat at Mugsy's Hideout, which serves Italian food, or Rudy's on the Square, which serves classic Southern food. If you love visiting local coffee shops, as I do, 5th & Main Coffees is near City Hall. If you visit on a Saturday morning, look out for the popular Downtown Farmer's Market, where local vendors sell crafts and produce.

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A stately red-brick city hall building stands prominently at the corner of an intersection, framed by the lush green leaves of an overhanging tree. The architecture conveys a sense of authority and classical design, with large white columns flanking the entrance and the words “CITY HALL” engraved above the doors.500 Main Street
Murray KentuckyPhoto taken on April 25, 2024

2. Wrather West Kentucky Museum

After getting acquainted with Murray's town square, the next place to visit is the Wrather West Kentucky Museum on Murray State University's campus. The museum is free and open to the public and shares historical information about West Kentucky and the Jackson Purchase through fixed and short-term exhibits. Interestingly, the museum is located in the university's first permanent building, which opened in 1924 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

3. The Doran Arboretum

The next stop is a 15-minute walk from the Wrather West Kentucky Museum: the Doran Arboretum at Murray State University. The arboretum is open every day from dawn to dusk and is the perfect place to take a walk on a pretty day. It has a 0.8-mile track for walking and running, a butterfly garden, a sensory garden, and much more.

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A quiet street is lined with a row of two-story brick buildings featuring various storefronts, including a law office and a cafe. Two large white arrows painted on the road indicate traffic direction in adjacent lanes under an overcast sky.Main Street
Murray KentuckyPhoto taken on April 25, 2024

4. Kentucky Lake

Incredibly, Murray is about 30 minutes from Kentucky Lake. This 160,000-acre lake is the last attraction we chose for our list of things to do on a one-day trip to Murray. Visitors can hike, bike, boat, horseback ride, golf, and hunt at Kentucky Lake. Of course, it is difficult, and likely impossible, to do all of these things at Kentucky Lake in one day. For a short visit, we recommend taking the Kentucky Lake Scenic Drive, a three-mile drive with several photo-worthy overlooks and places to picnic.

What do you think about this list of must-see attractions in Murray, Kentucky? Is there anything you would add?

There are many more things to do and places to eat in Murray than we could include in this list. Murray is home to the best Dairy Queen in the world. It also has the Calloway County Barn Quilt Trail, a collection of more than 60 colorful quilt patterns on barns scattered around the county. Each quilt has a special significance and is often associated with a family story or tragedy.

If you'd like to spend more than one day in Murray, Kentucky, this two-bedroom cabin Airbnb near Kentucky Lake may be the perfect place to stay!

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Trip Ideas

Get Off The Freeway And Onto This Scenic Back Road Between Arthur And Cave City, Kentucky

Published Jul 8, 2024

Written by 

Kelly Carroll

There aren’t many better ways to spend a beautiful day than by taking a scenic drive. I love the freedom of the open road on a clear morning. If I’m alone, it’s a great time to listen to my favorite music. If I’m with friends, it’s the perfect time for meaningful conversations. Many scenic back roads in Kentucky offer glorious views and unique stops.

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Scenic Route 70, also known as Highway 70, runs through central Kentucky.

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Google Maps

A 16-mile stretch down this scenic back road from Arthur to Cave City, Kentucky, takes travelers by the Green River, a trailhead, a stunning overlook, and even through a part of Mammoth Cave National Park.

After hopping on Scenic Route 70 East, travelers quickly come upon the Turnhole Bend Nature Trailhead.

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This trail is a 0.5-mile loop rated as moderately challenging. Hikers can take in fantastic views and learn about the area through informational signs along the route.

The Mammoth Cave Visitor Center is also a short drive off Scenic Route 70.

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Mammoth Cave National Park/Facebook

The visitor center has lots to do, from talking to a park ranger to browsing in the gift shop. Several tours of the national park start at the visitor center. If you haven’t taken the time to get acquainted with Mammoth Cave National Park, this is a fantastic opportunity to do so.

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Travelers on Scenic Route 70 can also stop to see the Green River Ferry.

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The ferry is the last of its kind in Mammoth Cave National Park and transports cars and people hiking and biking across the Green River further north into the park. To continue on Scenic Route 70, it is not necessary to use the ferry to cross the river. However, it is a unique part of the area’s transportation system worth seeing before heading back to the scenic road.

While heading back to Scenic Route 70 from the Green River Ferry, drivers will come up on the Doyel Valley Overlook.

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The brief stop provides views of the area’s hills and valleys. Some informational signs provide details of the area’s history and land.

Diamond Caverns are just off of Scenic Route 70.

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These caverns were discovered in 1859. Guided tours provide information about the history and geology of Diamond Caverns.

Scenic Route 70 is a fantastic scenic back road in Kentucky. There are numerous attractions along the route, as well as peaceful vistas of the Green River and nearby farms.

Have you driven down Scenic Route 70? What did you think?

The route heads toward Cave City, a place with much to see and do. Dinosaur World Kentucky is nearby, with many realistic and life-size dinosaurs to view.

If you want to stay in the area overnight, this two-bedroom Airbnb may be the perfect accommodation!

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