Beattyville - Lee County, Kentucky

     Fall is one of the most beautiful, and busiest, times to visit the Red River Gorge region. Brilliant reds, oranges and golds cover the mountains, cooler temperatures make hiking more enjoyable, and cabins fill quickly with visitors ready to experience autumn in Eastern Kentucky. If a fall getaway is on your calendar, book your cabin early and remember that there is much more to explore beyond the Red River Gorge Geological Area and Natural Bridge State Resort Park.

    Travel just 20 minutes south to Beattyville and Lee County, where you can enjoy spectacular trails, rugged cliffs, winding backroads and peaceful waterways with fewer crowds.

     Hikers can explore properties managed by the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition, including the Pendergrass-Murray and Miller Fork Recreational Preserves. These protected areas offer miles of trails through the region’s signature sandstone landscape. You can also discover the Cathedral Domain trails at “The Rock Domain,” another scenic setting for a quiet fall hike. There is over 1,000 acres to explore. 

     For a taste of local history, follow the Red River Gorge Loop of the Moonshine Trail. Visit the Backwoods Moonshine Museum before traveling to Ravenna for a tasting at Kentucky Mountain Moonshine Distillery. It is a fun way to experience the stories, traditions and flavors woven into Eastern Kentucky’s heritage.

     The Cliffview Resort area offers plenty of ways to add excitement to your trip. Take a guided Jeep or side-by-side tour into Walker’s Creek along an abandoned Louisville & Nashville Railroad line, paddle through a flooded underground mine with The Gorge Underground, or soar above the treetops at Red River Gorge Zipline Adventure.

     Those who prefer exploring on four wheels can tackle the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway or spend the day riding at Hollerwood Offroad Adventure Park. For a slower journey through the mountains, book a horseback riding adventure with Middle Fork Stables or Whisper Valley Trails.

     In Beattyville, stop by the Main Street Farmers Market for locally grown produce, handmade goods and a friendly welcome. Then launch your kayak or fishing boat and explore the headwaters of the Kentucky River, formed where the North, Middle and South forks meet. River maps and public access information are available at www.VisitLeeCountyKY.com.

     Fall also brings two of Beattyville’s most anticipated events. The Woollybooger 5K , followed by the Woolly Worm Festival on the weekend after the third Monday in October. The festival fills Main Street with live music, vendors, a parade, classic cars and the unforgettable experience of racing a woolly worm up the string raceway.

     This fall, go beyond the familiar. Stay a little longer, travel a little farther and discover the uncrowded adventures waiting in Beattyville and Lee County.