Rock Climb in the Red River Gorge

Distance from Cliffview: 35 Minutes | Age Limit: None | Cost: Free - $205

From scrambling up Indian Staircase solo to joining a guided climb, there are plenty of rock climbing options in the Red River Gorge.

Unguided Climbs – Know what you’re doing and have your own climbing gear? Then check out the following Red River Gorge climbing locations in the Frenchburg/Campton, KY area:

• Indian Staircase – A 200ft advanced scramble at the end of a difficult 1.75-mile hike (3.5 round trip) with amazing views. Plan on taking 4 – 6 hours to complete the hike and climb.
• Sport climbing crags: Motherload, Dark Side, Thanatopsis (5.14b), The Legend (5.13b)
• Trad climbing crags: Fortress Wall, Pebble Beach, Tower Rock, Roadside Attraction (5.7), Bedtime for Bonzo (5.6) and Rock Wars (5.10a)
• Graining Fork Nature Preserve (a.k.a. Roadside Crag) – Day permit is required to climb.

Guided Climbs – New to the sport of rock climbing or just want an expert to show you how to make the most of your time on the crags of Eastern Kentucky? Then Southeast Mountain Guides may be the right option for your day. Cost ranges from $55 to $205 depending on climb type, group size, and duration.

They also offer what’s known as “Via Ferrata” climbing, which is a climbing style in which the climber is secured to a cable system while traversing a cliff face with the aid of iron hand and foot rungs.