The Daniel Boone National Forest and its famous Red River Gorge have become Kentucky’s outdoor magnet — world-class climbing, arches by the hundred, and weekend crowds to match. Two state resort parks inside and beside the forest offer the lodges, trails, and icons that anchor a Gorge trip.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park — at the edge of Red River Gorge
Natural Bridge State Resort Park surrounds the sandstone arch the region is named for: 78 feet long and 65 feet high, reachable by trail or by an 11-minute skylift ride up the ridge. More than 20 miles of trails continue to lesser-known arches like White’s Branch and Henson’s Cave, and the year-round Hemlock Lodge (35 balcony rooms) plus cottages make it the classic Red River Gorge base camp when the climbing crowds fill everything else.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park — the Niagara of the South
At the forest’s southern end, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park centers on a 125-foot-wide curtain of water famous for something almost no other place in the Western Hemisphere offers: a moonbow — a lunar rainbow that appears in the mist on clear full-moon nights. Time your visit to the full-moon calendar, stay at DuPont Lodge, and add the Eagle Falls trail for the classic cross-river view.
Planning your trip
Natural Bridge anchors the northern (Red River Gorge) end of the forest, Cumberland Falls the southern — together they bracket a perfect two-stop Kentucky loop. Browse all Kentucky state parks for more, or compare the best state parks for camping nationwide. Key facts verified against Kentucky State Parks sources (June 2026) — confirm current hours, lodge availability, and moonbow dates on the official pages before you go.
