Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge provide great dayhike opportunities. The trails to Natural Bridge are short but very scenic. The trails in Red River Gorge are varied and provide interesting challenges to all levels of hikers and climbers. The trails are generally easy to follow with clearly posted signs at main trail junctions. We did 7 mile loop trail to Courthouse Rock including Double Arch. Near Courthouse Rock is a perfect lunch rock with a great views of the area.

Went backpacking with the family in Daniel Boone National Forest. The peak of leaf looking was over by about a week or so (first weekend in November), but still beautiful.

We drove down Saturday morning and started at Natural Bridge State park for a picnic and a one mile hike up to Natural Bridge (I plan a separate review of Natural Bridge State Park). We then drove through the Nada Tunnel (agree with other commentors that it is not worth going out of your way, but if you are already off Mountain Parkway in Slade, then another 10-15 minutes is fine). I always feel like I am going to scrap the sides of my car when I drive through.

It was suprisingly busy with many of the trail head parking lots full. We stopped at Gladie Cultural-Environmental Learning center. It is a tiny museum but well done - enough to occupy the kids for 15-30 minutes (mostly with playing the duclimers).

We hike sky bridge which was full of day trippers. It is an easy well-marked, flat trail that leads over a 50 foot high arch (about 1/3 the size of Natural Bridge arch) and on the return it goes under it. One mile roundtrip. The views from Skybridge area are excellent - I recommend the two overlooks after the turn off to skybridge.

We then parked at Swift Creek trail head and backpacked into the Clifty wilderness. The forest is a mix of pine and maple - all second growth with a canopy of maybe 100 feet. It was very quiet once we got off the road and did not see another person for the next 16 hours. We camped off the trail and had a wonderful evening. The next morning, we turned around and returned.

I would recommend a topographical map. There are at least a dozen "official" trailheads off KY715. Most do not have a trailhead map. The Gladie center has a topographical map to check, if desperate. Maps can be purchased at the main gas stations in Slade where you should also purchase a Forest Service day pass(yes, you need a pass to park in the Daniel Boone forest trail heads, but it does not seen heavily enforced).

My husband and I recently drove along the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway Driving Tour as part of our recent visit to the area. There are plenty of stops along the byway, which allow you to get out and enjoy the scenery, take pictures, walk the trails, etc. The journey includes a drive-thru tunnel, archways, natural bridges, etc. It begins in the town of Stanton, KY and finishes up near the Natural Bridge State Resort Park. You can visit http://byways.org/explore/byways/2482/itinerary/69787 to download a map of the byway, as well as the recommended stops. There are also plenty of signs posted along the route.

Love hiking here--so gorgeous with natural scenery, sandstone arches/rock cliffs & loads of trees & trails. Love camping here as well esp in cabins.