📷 Photo by Aaron Burden on UnsplashRed River Gorge arches and Kentucky crafts
A one-lane tunnel into a gorge full of sandstone arches, then the crafts town of Berea and a restored Shaker village.
- Distance
- 241 km (149 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 40 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 6
- States
- KY
- Updated
- May 10, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 241 km (149 mi) with 6 stops, from Lexington to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. About 2 h 40 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Kentucky
Route description
From Lexington, the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway heads east toward the Red River Gorge Geological Area in about an hour. Enter the gorge from the north on KY-77 through the Nada Tunnel, a narrow, unlit tunnel from an old logging railroad; it is too low for large RVs, which should go around via KY-15.
The scenic loop (KY-77 and KY-715) follows the Red River beneath sandstone cliffs, with trailheads to more than a hundred natural arches. Sky Bridge is one of the easiest, a short loop that crosses the top of an arch; Gray’s Arch and Chimney Top Rock are also close to the road.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park, at Slade, has the most famous arch, reached by a steep trail or a chairlift. Parking fills on fall weekends, so start early; the gorge is busiest in October.
From Slade, head south-west through Irvine to Berea, known for its craft studios and Berea College. Finish south-west of Lexington at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, a restored 19th-century community with trails across its farmland.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Lexington
KY - 291 km
Nada Tunnel
OdditiesStanton, KYA narrow, unlit, one-lane tunnel blasted for a logging railroad in the early 1900s, now the gateway to the Red River Gorge. Headlights on, and yield to oncoming cars.
- 310 km
Sky Bridge
NatureStanton, KYA sandstone arch you can walk across, on a short loop trail off the gorge’s scenic loop road. One of the easiest arches to reach in the Red River Gorge.
- 412 km
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
NatureSlade, KYA massive sandstone arch reached by a steep trail or a chairlift. Walk across the top for views over the Daniel Boone National Forest.
- 570 km
Berea
KY - 657 km
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
HistoryHarrodsburg, KYA restored 19th-century Shaker community with stone and brick buildings and farm fields. Walk the grounds and trails.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Lexington → Nada Tunnel · 57 mi · 1 h 01 minOvernight nearby, for example: Miguel's Campsite (2 mi); Callies (6 mi).
- Day 2: Nada Tunnel → Berea · 57 mi · 1 h 01 minOn the way: Sky Bridge, Natural Bridge State Resort Park.Overnight nearby, for example: S-Tree Campground FREE (18 mi); OH Kentucky RV Park (1 mi).
- Day 3: Berea → Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill · 36 mi · 0 h 38 minOvernight nearby, for example: Cummins Ferry RV Park, Campground (5 mi); Camp on the Kentucky (6 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Cold, short days in January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Red River Gorge arches and Kentucky crafts?
3-day road trip of about 241 km (149 mi) with 6 stops, from Lexington to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. About 2 h 40 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Red River Gorge arches and Kentucky crafts?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 40 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Red River Gorge arches and Kentucky crafts start and end?
It starts in Lexington and ends in Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.
Which states does Red River Gorge arches and Kentucky crafts pass through?
Kentucky.
Where can you camp along Red River Gorge arches and Kentucky crafts?
OpenStreetMap lists 26 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Miguel's Campsite, Illegal Campground and Fort Boonesborough State Park.
When is the best time for Red River Gorge arches and Kentucky crafts?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
