Natural Bridge State Resort Park Guide

Have you ever been to the Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Eastern Kentucky?

This Kentucky State Park in Slade, Kentucky, is one of the most amazing states parks I’ve been to. There is something to do for everyone, no matter what your age or physical needs. If you’re into hiking and the outdoors, you definitely want to visit this park if you’re ever in the area.

In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know about visiting Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Eastern Kentucky.

Information and History About Natural Bridge State Resort Park

Natural Bridge State Resort Park was a tourist destination long before it actually turned into a state park. In 1895, the area was a tourist destination founded by the Lexington and Eastern Railroad. It was established as a Kentucky State Park in 1926.

Now, Natural Bridge State Resort Park is a 2,300-acre state park surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest. It features hiking, camping, kayaking, picnicking, and more. The biggest feature and its namesake are the large natural bridge that you can hike to and reach the top of.

For more information about the Natural Bridge State Resort Park, see their official website at Kentucky State Parks.

How to Reach Natural Bridge State Resort Park

This Google Maps Link will get you to the Natural Bridge State Resort Park. Please input your starting point to find the best route. We chose to exclude highways for a more scenic route, but it was definitely longer.

There is adequate parking available for hiking and visiting this park. We visited on a summer weekend, and while the park was busy, there were still plenty of places to park. Parking did not cost anything.

Keep in mind that during wintry precipitation and heavy rains, parts of the park may be inaccessible. Keep an eye on the local weather and any park closures before you visit. This should also include the roads and route needed to get you to the park, as well.

What Your Will See at Natural Bridge State Resort Park

There are 10 hiking trails within this state park. You can see the trails and their locations on AllTrails. Trails are anywhere from one-half mile to seven and one-half miles in length. Pets are not allowed on the trails within the park’s boundaries due to its preserve status.

The Sky Lift will take you to the Natural Bridge if you wish to skip all the hills. It’s safe and a lot like a Ski Lift. The cost to use the Sky Lift is $15 for adults, with discounts for other users available.

There is a lodge located within Natural Bridge State Resort Park with two different venues located within it, including a restaurant and a tavern. The venues use local meats, produce, and spirits. They offer breakfast and lunch for guests and non-guests.

There is plenty of lodging and camping available in this state resort park. You can rent a room at the lodge (35 rooms), cabins (11 cabins), and two campgrounds with water, electricity, and showers available. The local area surrounding the park also has many cabins and Airbnb-type properties to rent.

There are many great places to picnic around the park. There are shelters, grills, and playgrounds dotted throughout the park to choose from. We chose one right off the highway with a pretty view of a dam within the park.

The park also offers kayaking with kayak rentals, swimming pools, and more.

Special Guidelines and Safety Information

Follow the rules when visiting Natural Bridge State Resort Park to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable visit.

• No pets on hiking trails within the park boundary
• Hiking is only allowed on designated trails.
• Hiking is for day-use only.
• Respect wildlife when visiting this park.

Be sure to put safety first. There are dangerous areas in this park, and you should pay close attention to your children when visiting these areas. Leave with great memories, not bad injuries.

Lodging, Dining, Shopping, and Sightseeing Nearby

When visiting Natural Bridge State Resort Park, 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 Kentucky Reptile Zoo. There are other great activities to enjoy in Slade, as well.

Final Advice About the Natural Bridge State Resort Park

We really loved visiting Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade, Kentucky. We hiked all the way to the natural bridge, and while it was very hilly, it was such a beautiful and scenic hike, especially on top of the bridge. We plan to return to the area just to stay at the park and enjoy everything it has to offer.

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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!