USDA Forest Service
 
"" Daniel Boone National Forest USDA Logo and Forest Service Shield
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USDA Forest Service
Daniel Boone
National Forest
1700 Bypass Road
Winchester, KY 40391

Phone: 859-745-3100
FAX: 859-744-1568

Rock Climbing

Rock climbers from the world over have discovered first class climbing on the spectacular sandstone cliffs of eastern Kentucky. The overhanging rock faces offer the ultimate challenge to beginners and climbing masters. The Daniel Boone National Forest attracts people of all ages who want to climb, learn to climb, or watch others climb.

Climbers have been participating in technical rock climbing in the Daniel Boone National Forest for over 20 years. Technical climbing (as opposed to scrambling or rappelling) involves ascending the rock using ropes, specialized knowledge, and specifically-designed gear for safety. Climbers use guidebooks to locate established climbing routes ranging in height from 50 - 100 feet. Climbing routes follow natural features in the rock such as cracks where climbers place removable metal devices to which their ropes are secured.

Climbing routes may also ascend cliff faces, where climbers clip their ropes to permanently placed safety bolts. With the assistance of a climbing partner who acts as the belayer, a climber uses a rope tied to the waist to avoid ground falls. Before you climb, you should be properly equipped with knowledge and gear. Take a rock climbing class at a climbing gym near your hometown and/or receive instruction from a qualified rock climbing guide on "real rock"

WARNING: Climbing is a sport where you may become seriously injured or die. Your climbing safety depends on your own judgment, based on competent instruction, experience, and a realistic assessment of your climbing ability. Please climb smart!

Land ownership within the National Forest Proclamation Boundary is mixed. Some climbs are on private land. Find out whose land you are climbing on and what rules govern the property.

The Daniel Boone National Forest is also recognized for the density and significance of its cultural resource sites. Many rock shelters were utilized over the last 10,000 years by indigenous peoples for living quarters or by early pioneers and settlers for saltpeter and niter mining. Please respect these areas by leaving things as you find them.

To protect these resources, there is a Cliffline Closure in the Red River Gorge.

The closure prohibits:

  • Camping within 100 feet of the base of any cliff, or the back of any rockshelter.
  • Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire within 100 feet of the base of any cliff, or the back of any rockshelter.

Daniel Boone National Forest Rock Climbing Rules
  • No climbing or rappelling from Tunnel Ridge Road within 300 feet of Nada Tunnel.
  • No climbing or rappelling from Sky Bridge, Gray’s Arch, or Chimney Top Rock overlook.
  • No new fixed anchor installation without prior approval of the Stanton Ranger District
  • Limit climbing on Tower Rock or Eagles Peak to allow vegetation to recover.
  • Limit climbing from April 1 to Nov. 1: Haystack Rock, Courthouse Rock, and Hen’s Nest Rock to allow vegetation to recover.

 

Other links: Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition

OutrageGIS, a commercial mapping company, features topographic maps for outdoor recreation, including the Red River Gorge. These maps have GPS mapped trails, elevation contours, aerial photography and GPS grids for precise navigation.

Author: Recreation Staff
Last Updated: December 22, 2008

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