The Nada Tunnel, also known as The Gateway to The Red River Gorge, is a must-see when taking a vacation in Kentucky.
The kids will love the mystery and the grown-ups will love the history, making it one of the most suitable places to visit for the whole family.
The Nada Tunnel looks like a hole that has been carved into the side of a mountain. It’s surrounded by dripping greenery – bushes, trees, and plants that look like they’re going to swallow up the car as you drive closer!
When you drive toward this mystery tunnel, make sure that your lights are on, that you drive slowly, and that no cars are coming toward you the other way. There is only room for one car to pass through the tunnel!
The Nada Tunnel – pronounced “nay-duh” – was built originally for the Dana Lumber Company in the early 1900s and it was named for Nada, Kentucky, (a now-forgotten logging town 10 miles past the tunnel's entrance).
The tunnel itself remains a remarkable piece of the state's history. But it’s not just the tunnel; all of the Red River Gorge is a snapshot into the history of Kentucky. The Nada Tunnel takes you right back to the early 20th century the moment you look at it, reminding your family what sheer grit and determination can accomplish.
Getting to Red River Gorge through Nada Tunnel is easy, but you have to be careful! The tunnel was not built like our modern roads, which is why only one car can pass through at a time. Stop at the entrance and check for the headlights of vehicles already traveling through the tunnel, and turn on your own lights. The tunnel is 12 feet wide, 13 feet high and 900 feet long, so drivers in larger vehicles be cautious.
Fun fact: the Nada Tunnel only used to be 12 feet by 12 feet, but there was once a trainload of logs that tried to pass through and got stuck. These had to be blasted free, which then created an extra foot of height at the top. Steam locomotives used to haul timber regularly through the tunnel, but it’s no longer used for trains.
Construction on the Nada Tunnel began in 1910 using drills and dynamite, among other tools. The vast face of the limestone rock was blasted through to create the Nada Tunnel, which was completed just a year later in 1911.
Initially, the Nada Tunnel was constructed for locomotives to transport timber because the logging operations in the Gorge had leftover timber to go to the Dana Lumber Company sawmill in Clay City, which was 15 miles away. The tunnel is rugged in nature, unique in its appearance and is still a source of curiosity for visitors.
During the tunnel's year-long construction, one man died when he placed a stick of frozen dynamite near a fire to thaw it, and the dynamite then exploded. This incident has led to the rumors of the Nada Tunnel being haunted.
Some say the man who thawed the dynamite haunts the tunnel. Others suggest that a rock climber fell from the top to his death while climbing the cliff face. There have been stories of a green orb floating at the entrance of Nada Tunnel on some nights! Some unidentifiable moaning sounds have also been heard. But please don’t attempt to walk or cycle through this tunnel to listen to the creepy noises—that is extremely dangerous due to limited visibility and the small space. We don't want you to join the ghosts of Nada Tunnel.
Some petroglyphs have been found around the Nada Tunnel area. These are in a shallow cave, and the designs were inscribed on the rear wall with narrow lines that form a series of V shapes. Some believe that these are marks of tool sharpening while others see the purposeful pattern that they create. To see the petroglyphs, head to Powell County, southwest of the juncture of Schoolhouse Branch and the Red River on the Slade Quadrangle.
Every year, the residents of Eastern Kentucky hold an 8k Foot Race at the Nada Tunnel that's fun for all ages. The community welcomes walkers, runners, and families to the Red River Gorge area. The course is stroller-friendly and there’s a picnic area beside the Nada Mission Church, which is where participants will need to pick up their running packets.
The 8k Foot Race starts at the John Swift Campground, which is located just off Highway 715. The course then proceeds west to Highway 77. You then cross the Green Bridge, which is over the Red River and continue for two miles to the Nada Tunnel. When you get through the tunnel, you are then on a downhill slope for two more miles to Nada, where you can celebrate the end of the race.
Getting to the Nada Tunnel from Natural Bridge State Resort Park is easy. Follow these directions:
2135 Natural Bridge Rd, Slade, KY 40376, USA
You’ll eventually reach the tunnel. Once you go through it, there are numerous trailheads and beautiful scenery awaiting you on the other side. Welcome to the Red River Gorge!
After viewing the petroglyphs, hunting for ghosts, and learning about the history of Nada Tunnel, there is still plenty to do in the area. The Red River Gorge is home to adventure and fun family activities. From ziplines to underground kayaking, this outdoor playground will keep you entertained for days on end. Cliffview has the perfect accommodations to act as your base camp for adventure. With lodging available for individuals and large groups, Cliffview is the ideal place to unwind after an exciting day in the Gorge.
