Natural Bridge Kentucky: Hiking Rock Garden Trail and Devil’s Gulch

Our hike at Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Kentucky turned out to be a little wetter than we expected. The rain came and went throughout the afternoon, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying one of the more interesting hikes of our Kentucky trip.

Fortunately, we had our rain gear in the van, which turned out to be a good thing. It is the type of essential gear we bring along on every road trip we take because we never know when we might need it. Without it, we would have missed a remarkable day in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

What made this hike memorable wasn’t the distance or the difficulty. It was the massive sandstone Natural Bridge, the narrow stairways, and the unusual rock formations along the way.

Our Hike to Natural Bridge

Our first destination was Natural Bridge itself, a massive sandstone arch overlooking the surrounding forest.

Standing at the base of the arch and looking up to the massive stone formation above me was one of my favorite parts of the hike. It’s one of those places where photographs don’t quite capture the size of what you’re seeing.

Getting to the top was just as much enjoyable as being at the base of the bridge.

The narrow passage up the stone stairs through the sandstone reminded me of walking through a slot canyon.

It was a fun and interesting climb, with rock walls rising on either side. Watch your footing though, especially when the rocks are wet.

Standing on top of Natural Bridge, we had a beautiful view of the surrounding forest and sandstone cliffs. Low-hanging clouds partially blocked the distant views, but the mist drifting through the valley added a little mystery to the scenery. Even with the limited visibility, it was a pretty special place to stand and take it all in.

Once we reached the top, we had several trail options for continuing our hike. That’s one of the things I liked about this park. There isn’t just one route to follow, and you can choose different trails depending on what you’d like to see. We chose to take the Rock Garden Trail even though AllTrails suggested Laurel Ridge Trail.

From what I could tell, there really wasn’t a bad choice. The trails wind through the same general area, with several connecting along the way. Each offers something a little different, whether it’s unusual rock formations, wooded paths, or scenic overlooks. That’s part of what makes this park so interesting. You can choose your own adventure and still experience some beautiful scenery.

Choosing Our Route Through Devil’s Gulch

After exploring Natural Bridge, we followed the Rock Garden Trail toward Devil’s Gulch. One thing I liked about this park was how the trails connected, giving us several options for exploring the area without having to follow one particular route.

Along the way, we passed some fascinating sandstone formations. Years of weathering had carved unusual layers, pockets, and openings into the rock, creating patterns that almost looked sculpted. One of the highlights was the steep stairway through Devil’s Gulch. The climb begins with wooden stairs that take you roughly two-thirds of the way up, followed by stone steps for the remaining climb. Both sections have handrails, which were especially welcome with the wet conditions. It was one of the more challenging parts of our hike, but also one of the most interesting.

At the top of Devil’s Gulch, we connected with Laurel Ridge Trail and continued to Lover’s Leap overlook. After taking in the view, we retraced our steps down the steep stairway and headed toward Battleship Rock before returning to Alice.

Between the unusual rock formations, steep stairways, and forest scenery, this section had a little bit of everything. Even with the occasional rain, it was one of our favorite parts of the afternoon.

Testing My New Osprey Backpack

I wore my new Osprey Stratos 24 backpack on this hike, even though the trail was short enough that I didn’t really need it. I wanted more time getting used to its different fit and suspension system. It performed well, although I was still adjusting to the feel compared to my old pack.

Read our Osprey backpack review to see how our new packs performed on the trails in Kentucky and Virginia.

Tips for Hiking Natural Bridge State Resort Park

A few things I’d recommend based on our experience:

• Wear shoes with good traction. Wet sandstone, muddy trails, and steep steps can be slippery.
• Expect some steep sections. The stairways are manageable for many hikers, but they require attention.
• Check the trail connections. There are several routes to choose from, so decide what you’d like to see before heading out.
• Allow time to explore. Natural Bridge and the surrounding sandstone formations are worth stopping to appreciate.

Camping at Whittleton Campground

We stayed at Whittleton Campground in Natural Bridge State Resort Park during our visit to Kentucky. It’s a convenient place to camp if you’re planning to explore the park and the surrounding area.

One of the things we liked about this location was its proximity to Red River Gorge. It makes a great base camp for exploring both areas without having to move your RV between hikes.

We spent time hiking in Red River Gorge as well, including the beautiful Courthouse Rock and Double Arch Loop. If you’re visiting this part of Kentucky, I’d recommend allowing enough time to explore both destinations.

Final Thoughts

Natural Bridge State Resort Park was a fun addition to our Kentucky hiking adventures.

At just under three miles, our route wasn’t especially long, but the combination of Natural Bridge, the steep stairways, and the unusual sandstone formations made it memorable.

Planning a Hike at Natural Bridge?

Gail and I had a great time exploring Natural Bridge, even in the rain! If you’re thinking about visiting and have questions about the trails, difficulty, or what to expect, leave us a comment below. We’d be happy to share more about our experience and help you plan your visit