Nada Tunnel Guide

Have you ever driven through the Nada Tunnel in Red River Gorge, Kentucky?

This tunnel is more than just an old tunnel in the roadway. It’s the Gateway to Red River Gorge and all the great trails that you’ll be so anxious to start hiking on. It’s definitely a symbol of the area’s history.

In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Nada Tunnel so that you can visit and drive through it today!

Information and History About Nada Tunnel

The history of the Nada Tunnel was really fun to read and learn about for this guide.

The name seems to be pronounced as “Nayda,” which means that I was saying it wrong in the video, and for that, I apologize to the locals. The tunnel was constructed between 1910 and 1911 for the Dana Lumber Company, named after Nada, Kentucky, a former logging town in the area. The solid sandstone was blasted out with dynamite, and then workers used steam machinery and hand tools on both sides to dig the tunnel out to completion and turned it into a railway tunnel.

Today, Nada Tunnel is now a portal to another world, with that world being the Red River Gorge, which is a beautiful place to venture within Daniel Boone National Forest. The tunnel’s height is 13 feet, and the length of the tunnel is around 900 feet. For my Southern Illinois friends, this tunnel is around 400 feet longer than the tunnel along the Tunnel Hill State Trail.

Nada Tunnel is a part of the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, and you can see the official US Forest Service website here.

How to Reach Nada Tunnel

Use this Google Maps Link to reach Nada Tunnel from Slade, Kentucky. For a map of the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway, see this Federal Highway Administration website.

The road to this tunnel is paved, but there are gravel roads in the area, depending on which way you go after visiting the tunnel. Some of those gravel roads have large potholes, so be sure to drive carefully. People live on the road to Nada Tunnel, so please consider the local traffic and their safety when visiting this area. There are a few pull-off spots at each side of the tunnel if you want to stop and get out to see it.

This area could be subject to flooding in the event of heavy rainfall. Some roads may close as a result. During wintry conditions, this area may not be maintained as much as other roads are, so be sure to check road conditions before visiting.

What Your Will See at Nada Tunnel

When visiting Nada Tunnel, this is my best advice based on my experience of visiting this area.

Don’t just immediately drive through it when you get up to it, because there is room for only one car to pass through, and someone may already be in the tunnel. Pull up slowly until you can see through the tunnel completely and then honk your horn as people will do this (with your window down) to alert others that a vehicle is coming through. The tunnel is narrow to having to back out in either direction could be difficult.

I also suggest parking and getting out to walk around the tunnel area before you drive through it. This will give you a chance to take photos of the tunnel and the cool surroundings. It’s a pretty area and a great place to stop for sightseeing as long as you don’t block the tunnel or the roadway.

Special Guidelines and Safety Information

Please ensure you follow these safety guidelines before using the Nada Tunnel so that everyone can enjoy it safely.

• The tunnel is narrow and around 12 feet wide. Drive slowly and fold in your mirrors if that is an option.
• Turn your headlights on and honk before driving into the tunnel. Make sure no one is coming through first.
• Don’t stop or reverse unless it is needed.
• Be considerate of locals who live in the area when visiting Nada Tunnel, especially in terms of noise.
• Do not litter.

In the event that you meet another vehicle in the tunnel, one of you will need to reverse out. This should be done by the smallest vehicle in the tunnel, as they will have less of a chance of wrecking their vehicle. Work together and not against each other.

If the Nada Tunnel intimidates you in terms of driving through it, that’s okay. There are plenty of alternative roadways to access the area beyond the tunnel in case you do not want to drive through it. You don’t have to go through it if you don’t want to.

Lodging, Dining, Shopping, and Sightseeing Nearby

When visiting Nada Tunnel, you can enjoy many other things nearby.

Aside from what is mentioned in the state park above, there are numerous cabins and Airbnb properties around the park to choose from. Check out the Slade, Kentucky website for a list of some of these cabins.

Aside from the restaurants located in the state park, there are other great places to dine nearby. We enjoy Miguel’s Pizza and the Red River Rockhouse Café. There are also other great places to eat in Slade.

Check out the Red River Gorge General Store for merchandise and gifts. There are other stores, including coffee, ice cream, fuel, shopping, and more in Slade.

While visiting this area, I recommend checking out Hidden Arch and Silvermine Arch Trails as well as the Natural Bridge State Resort Park. There are other great activities to enjoy in Slade, as well.

Final Advice About the Nada Tunnel

Nada Tunnel truly is the Gateway to the Red River Gorge, and it’s worth checking out and driving through if you’re able to. Just remember to yield first, turn your lights on, and honk your horn before carefully driving through. It will be an experience worth adding to your bucket list when visiting the Red River Gorge area.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!

Watch the videos for this trail!

Below is a recent video that we filmed while enjoying this area.

Check out the trail gallery!

Enjoy these photos taken around this area!

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Thanks again for checking out another one of my articles and until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!