In the Heart of Daniel Boone National Forest lies one of Kentucky’s best backpacking and climbing destinations. The Red River Gorge is often explored by trail, but I’ve noticed a relative lack of creativity shown by the typical routes that are most often traveled by backpackers. The classic Gorge routes are classic for a reason, but there is room for a bit more imagination here, and using a packraft can really open up the area to new routes and new ways of thinking about backcountry travel.
Whether you’d like to do an adventurous day trip, or a 6 day epic see-it-all loop of the entire area, there are several options, linked below for inspiration. These are obviously not exhaustive (I hope to add at least one more longer loop in the future), and should be used as a basis to create your own adventure. Feel free to comment below if you come up with another good route!
Auxier Ridge Loop
6.3 miles hiking, 2.1 miles paddling (6-12 hours)
Best Hiking Scenery, Most Adventurous, Short Float
Red River Loop
13.4 miles hiking, 12.5 miles paddling (1.5-3 days)
Great Hiking Scenery, Scenic Float, Highest Mileage Option
Cloud Splitter Loop
8.5 miles hiking, 3.7 miles paddling (8-14 hours)
Good Hiking Scenery, Interesting Float If It’s Running
Swift Camp Loop
10.6 miles hiking, 13 miles paddling (1-3.5 days)
Hiking Drags On, Prettiest Float In The Park If It’s Running
Notes on Boating
Almost any type of packraft is appropriate for boating in the Red River Gorge area. Something small and light like a Scout or Rogue is ideal for the shallow, low-flow creeks and the easy and wide Red River. Larger, heavier boats also work well. For durability reasons, you’ll want to avoid super-ultralight boats like the LWD or Canyon Flatwater II if you intend to boat the creeks in the area. Super-ultralight boats are, however, great for the slow, calm Red River. An inner tube would probably work on the Red as well.
These loops are all appropriate for boaters of any skill level, as long as you stay smart and alert. The Red River is slow and wide flat water. The creeks in the area, while technically class II whitewater, are low volume, sometimes to the point of being scrapey or unrunnable. This means they are slow and aren’t pushy or scary. Strainers have no teeth when the water isn’t pushy, but be alert for them anyway. Recognizing when waterways are at flood level is important, as this would boost the required skill level.
You can figure on a pace of about 2mph on the Red River if you keep paddling. It’s nice to spend some time drifting though. The side creeks will vary wildly, from .5mph in low water sight seeing mode to 5+mph at flood level.
None of these loops include the Upper Red upstream of Copperas Creek, which is a remote Class III affair best accessed with a car shuttle and dedicated whitewater boating gear. It would be difficult to include in any backcountry loops because of the necessity of miles of off-trail hiking through thick brush to reach the put-in from the park proper. I’ve tried the hike once and turned back because it wasn’t fun, but you do you.
Mapping Resources
CalTopo map of all routes
KML file of all routes combined
(There is a more focused KML file on each route-specific page)
How to use the CalTopo Map
In the sidebar on the left, there are folders. Each folder represents a route, and can be toggled on or off depending on which route you want to see. Just check or un-check the folders. If more than one route at a time is checked, it will be hard to separate them visually. There is also a folder labeled “Global Objects” that you should keep checked. It contains points that belong to multiple routes, as well as some other scenic points that might spark your curiosity and may be worthy of a diversion.
Mile markers do not necessarily start at the trailhead, as you’ll choose your own starting point for each loop.
These maps can be printed cheaply online using Skurka’s printing advice.
