Nestled near the Red River Gorge Geological Area, this park boasts a natural sandstone arch bridge stretching 78 feet with a height of 65 feet. Offering accommodations in rooms and cottages, the park also features a restaurant, bar, and extensive hiking trails.
Winter Operations:
- Lodge & Cabins: Open
- Restaurant: Open
- Campground: Closed
- Skylift: Closed
Top Five Things to Do
- Embark on a scenic trail hike to Natural Bridge or opt for a skylift ride.
- Explore the picturesque Red River Gorge area.
- Delight in the Historic Nature Center.
- Traverse Henson’s Arch or take a tour of Natural Bridge Cave.
- Reserve a private cottage or lodge room for a splendid view of fall foliage.
Birding:
The prime birdwatching periods are May and June, featuring woodland warblers and other neotropical birds in full activity. Fall migration in late September is also rewarding. Winter birdwatching becomes enjoyable as the foliage thins, allowing clearer views of woodpeckers, kinglets, nuthatches, wrens, and sparrows. Year-round residents include northern cardinals, American goldfinches, indigo buntings, song sparrows, belted kingfishers, American crows, great blue herons, wild turkeys, pileated woodpeckers, Carolina chickadees, tufted titmice, white-breasted nuthatches, and Carolina wrens. Ideal birdwatching spots: Hood’s Branch Trail, Rock Garden Trail, Whittleton Branch Trail, Lakeside Trail, Mill Creek Lake, Picnic Shelter 3 & 4 area.
Canoeing:
Canoes are available for rental from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Fishing:
Mill Creek Lake, surrounded by lush forest and towering sandstone cliffs, offers bass, bluegill, black crappie, longear sunfish, green sunfish, rainbow trout, channel catfish, and black bullhead. The lake is perfect for paddling canoes and kayaks, and a launch ramp is available for fishing boats (only electric trolling motors allowed). A Kentucky Fishing License is required. Click here to purchase a license online at KY Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The park offers a fishing loaner program, allowing visitors to check out FREE equipment.
Gift Shop:
Find the perfect memento at the lodge gift shop, offering a diverse selection of Kentucky handcrafts and souvenirs.
Hiking:
With ten trails ranging from half a mile to seven and a half miles, hikers can explore various terrains. Trail maps are available at Hemlock Lodge. Dogs are not permitted on hiking trails, except for the pet-friendly Whittleton Trail, managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Kayaking:
Kayak rentals are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Miniature Golf:
Enjoy 18 holes of mini-golf at picnic shelter #2 near the skylift parking area. Rentals for mini-golf balls and putters are available at the Mini Golf Snack Bar for $5.00 per person. Children under 4 play for free. Open seasonally.
Pedal Boating:
Pedal boats are currently unavailable until further notice.
Picnicking:
Four picnic shelters equipped with restrooms, tables, grills, and a playground are scattered throughout the park. Shelters can be rented up to one year in advance for a fee.
Sky Lift:
For a leisurely ascent to Natural Bridge, take a ride on the sky lift. Operating daily from the first weekend of April to the last weekend in October. For pricing details, call: (606) 663-2922.
Swimming:
The pool complex, nestled between the lake and the cliff beneath Hemlock Lodge, includes a spacious stone bathhouse and a zero-depth pool. The main pool features a “river” theme with directional water jets and floor bubblers. Adjacent is a fenced wading pool with floor bubbles and a fountain.
Lodging
Experience the enchanting beauty of Natural Bridge State Resort Park, nestled in the mountains. The Hemlock Lodge offers 35 rooms with private balconies that provide scenic views of the surrounding woodlands. Additionally, the park features 11 one-bedroom and two-bedroom cottages, catering to your overnight needs. Both the Hemlock Lodge and Cottages welcome guests throughout the year. Rooms and cottages are ready for check-in by late afternoon. Lodge room check-out is at 11 a.m., local time, while cottage check-out is at 10 a.m., local time. The park is now pet-friendly, allowing a maximum of two pets per room or cottage. Furthermore, the park boasts two campgrounds offering improved and primitive sites, complete with two service buildings featuring showers and restrooms.
Dining
Sandstone Arches Restaurant and Trails End Tavern offer a delightful dining experience surrounded by breathtaking scenery. As proud supporters of the Kentucky Proud program, we prioritize the use of local meats and produce, and our menu now includes Kentucky wine and spirits.
Restaurant Hours:
- Sunday-Saturday: Continental Breakfast for Lodge and Cottage Guests 7 am – 10 am
- Sunday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Monday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: Closed
- Friday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Trails End Tavern:
- Friday: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Saturday: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Sunday: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Monday: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: Closed
Come, savor our culinary offerings in a setting of natural beauty.
Meetings
Discover three distinct meeting locations within the park, each providing modern meeting and banquet facilities amid enchanting woodlands. The Woodland Center, conveniently located a short stroll from Hemlock Lodge, offers a picturesque setting. Additionally, the lodge presents the Trillium room with views of the pool and Hoedown Island. With 35 lodge rooms and eleven 1- & 2-bedroom cottages for accommodations, along with full-service catering options, your next event at Natural Bridge State Resort Park will be an unforgettable experience. Immerse yourself in the best of Kentucky while enjoying seasonal activities and team-building opportunities.
Trails
Lakeside Trail
The Lakeside Trail serves as a connecting pathway between the Lakeside Parking Area and other park facilities. Often considered a delightful introduction to the hiking opportunities at Natural Bridge, the trail commences at the Lakeside Parking Area along KY Hwy 11. It begins with a descent down a set of wooden steps, leveling off for an easy, flat stroll alongside a small lake. As the trail nears its conclusion, a brief set of steps leads to a swinging bridge crossing the Middle Fork of the Red River. Notably, the Lakeside Trail is part of the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail.
The Original Trail
Constructed in the 1890s by the Lexington and Eastern Railroad, this trail stands as a historic route and is widely frequented for hiking to the Natural Bridge. Commencing near the gift shop, the trail embarks on a gentle ascent for 0.25 miles to the trailhead located behind Hemlock Lodge. As you progress, the steepest segment of the trail becomes evident, presenting a climb with limestone steps. However, as you reach the top of these steps, the trail levels off. Dotted along this trail are five shelters, with three of them crafted by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The trail traverses an impressive forest featuring hemlock, tulip tree, white pine, and dense thickets of rhododendron. Climbing over 400 feet in elevation, the trail concludes beneath the expanse of the Natural Bridge. Access to the top of the bridge is facilitated through a natural fracture on the opposite side of the arch, with a total elevation change of 420 feet.
Battleship Rock Trail
Commence your journey at the Original trailhead, situated off the sidewalk behind the Hemlock Lodge, and ascend to the summit of the initial set of steps. At this juncture, the Battleship Rock Trail veers to the right of the Original Trail. In less than a quarter mile, the Rock Garden Trail branches off to the right, while the Battleship Rock Trail veers left, persistently ascending until it reaches a wooden bridge, succeeded by a sequence of wooden steps. Upon completing the wooden steps, you’ll arrive at the base of a tall cliff, proximate to the Devil’s Gulch Stairway and the Needles Eye Stairway. Both stairways are notably steep and lead to the Laurel Ridge Trail on the cliffs above. However, the Battleship Rock Trail does not ascend either stairway but rather continues along the base of the cliff. This stretch of the trail remains relatively level, guiding you around the base of Lookout Point and eventually leading to the underside of the Natural Bridge. The elevation change along this route amounts to 230 feet.
Rock Garden Trail
To access the Rock Garden trailhead, commence your journey on the Original Trail, make a right turn onto the Battleship Rock Trail, and continue for several minutes until you encounter the Rock Garden trailhead nestled in the forest just above the Hemlock Lodge. The Rock Garden Trail maintains a mostly level grade as it winds its way around numerous sandstone rock boulders. While the trail features many flat sections, there are occasional steep stairs along the route. This trail offers an enjoyable stroll and stands out as one of the premier paths in the park for birdwatchers and plant enthusiasts. The elevation change along this trail amounts to 220 feet.
Upper Hoods Branch Trail
The .75-mile trail crosses Upper Hood’s Branch via a small wooden bridge, providing the option to either loop back or continue following the trail further.
Balanced Rock Trail
The steepest trail in the park, the Balanced Rock Trail, features more than 600 stairs. The trailhead is located off the sidewalk behind Hemlock Lodge. Upon starting, hikers encounter a steep series of limestone steps leading to a small cave on the right side of the trail. Beyond the cave, the trail ascends more steps to reach the extraordinary sandstone block known as Balanced Rock on the left. Moving onward, the trail becomes steeper, leading to the base of the sandstone cliff called Rocky Point. Continuing, hikers will pass the junction with the Sand Gap Trail and eventually reach the top of Natural Bridge near a large CCC wooden shelter. Due to its steep grade, many hikers prefer to use the Balanced Rock Trail for the downhill portion of a loop trip. The Balanced Rock Trail is also part of the Sheltowee Trace Trail. Elevation change of 400 feet.
Sand Gap Trail
The Sand Gap Trail is the most challenging trail in the park, requiring 4-6 hours to complete. Once started, there are no shortcuts, so ensure you have adequate time to finish before dark. The trail begins near the upper end of the Balanced Rock Trail, approximately 500 feet from the top of Natural Bridge. Over the next 3.5 miles, Sand Gap follows an old logging road, offering easy to moderate walking along the ridgetop. The initial section of the trail is part of the Sheltowee National Recreation Trail.
About 1.5 miles from the start, Sand Gap Trail takes a sharp right turn, and the Sheltowee Trace Trail splits off, heading south. Continuing on the Sand Gap Trail, which heads northeast, around 3.5 miles from the start, the trail descends steeply into Lower Hood Branch. It levels out near a bog, turns right across a bridge, and meanders below the cliffs through rhododendron thickets.
At approximately 6.5 miles, the trail descends to a bridge over the Lower Hood Branch. From here, it climbs up the side of the valley for about 0.25 miles, following a skid road built by loggers in the 19th century. Look for a sharp left turn where the trail leaves this old road. Afterward, wind around a couple of ridges, then follow a fairly level grade for about 1.5 miles to the Hood Branch Trail. Take a left onto the Hood’s Branch Trail and walk downhill for approximately 0.25 miles, leading to the sky lift and miniature golf parking area. Elevation change of 450 feet.
Low Gap Trail
The Low Gap Trail begins at the sky lift parking area and ascends the hill to two wooden footbridges. Beyond the second footbridge, the trail makes a switchback and continues climbing to a natural gap in the limestone. From this point, the trail follows an old logging road and links up with the Rock Garden Trail. At this junction, hikers can go left towards Hemlock Lodge or right towards Natural Bridge.
Many visitors taking a one-way trip on the sky lift opt to use the Rock Garden Trail (in part) and the Low Gap Trail for a 1.25-mile hike, which is the shortest route connecting Natural Bridge to the sky lift parking area. Elevation change of 320 feet.
Henson's Arch Trail
This brief trail leads to a small yet distinctive limestone arch at the entrance of a cave. While the cave itself is too small to hold much interest, a nearby stairway leads into a sinkhole, allowing hikers to appreciate the arch and the cave-like atmosphere. The Henson’s Arch trailhead is situated in the Whittleton Campground just past the bathhouse. The trail commences at a small wooden bridge and then turns left. It ascends a steep section before leveling out for a pleasant stroll through the forest. As hikers near the arch, the trail ascends once more. Upon reaching the arch, hikers will need to retrace their steps along the same trail.
Hood's Branch Trail
Hood’s Branch Trail takes you into the heart of Natural Bridge, offering just enough distance to leave the crowds behind. Starting beneath Natural Bridge, the trail follows the base of the cliffs, guiding hikers to cross a small stream named Upper Hood Branch. At approximately the halfway point, hikers encounter an optional 0.75-mile upper loop trail branching off to the left. This upper loop leads to a couple of large sandstone rock shelters before circling back to the starting point. Around 2.25 miles from Natural Bridge on the Hood’s Branch Trail, hikers traverse a swampy section that was once cleared for a small farm. Crossing two small footbridges, you’ll reach a trail shelter constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during their camp maintenance at Natural Bridge in the 1930s. From this point, you are 0.75 miles away from the Hood Branch trailhead near the miniature golf parking area.
Whittleton Trail
Developed by the U.S. Forest Service, the Whittleton Branch Trail commences at Whittleton Campground within the state park. Park near the check-in station and proceed to the end of the left fork of the road to access the trailhead. Following the course of the small stream known as Whittleton Branch for most of its length, the trail concludes along KY 15 at the entrance to Tunnel Ridge Road. Serving as a connector between the trails in the Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge, Whittleton Branch Trail aligns with the grade of a logging railroad established in 1898, stretching from Natural Bridge to Chimney Top. Keep an eye out for signs of the Mountain Central Railway as you traverse this trail. About 0.75 miles in, hikers have the option to turn right onto Whittleton Arch Trail, leading to the rock shelter-like arch—one of the largest in the area. Most hikers utilize these trails for a pleasant round-trip hike covering 2 miles from the campground to Whittleton Arch and back, with an elevation change of 280 feet.
Laurel Ridge Trail
Commencing at the summit of Natural Bridge, this trail offers an effortless stroll around the rim of the cliffs. Passing by the sky lift, it winds along the ridge towards Lookout Point—a sandstone cliff visible from Natural Bridge. Following Laurel Ridge Trail around the bend leads to the top of Devil’s Gulch Stairway, an exceptionally steep stairway connecting to Battleship Rock Trail and providing a shortcut to Hemlock Lodge and the parking areas. Continuing on Laurel Ridge beyond Devil’s Gulch, you’ll encounter another set of stairs on your right—the Needle’s Eye Stairway, constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This stairway also leads to Battleship Rock Trail. Laurel Ridge Trail extends along the ridge’s top to a dead end at Lover’s Leap, an overlook affording a commanding view of the canyon below.
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