🪨🐾 Hiking Gray’s Arch with Simba the Adventure Pup! Red River Gorge, KY 🌲🏞️

Hey trail fam! Ash here — and this week’s adventure took Simba the Adventure Pup and me to one of Kentucky’s most iconic natural features: the stunning Gray’s Arch in Red River Gorge, nestled in the wild beauty of Daniel Boone National Forest! 🐶🌿

This hike had lush forest, dramatic cliffs, wooden staircases, and, of course, that jaw-dropping sandstone arch that makes this trail a must-see. If you’re an outdoor lover, forest hiker, or pup parent chasing scenic trails, this one belongs at the top of your list. 🥾

📍 Trail Overview

Location: Gray’s Arch Trail – Red River Gorge, Stanton, KY
Distance: ~3.4-mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate (some elevation, stairs, and uneven terrain)
Trail Type: Loop
Dog-Friendly: Yes — Simba was so into this one 🐾
Highlights: Gray’s Arch, wooden stair descent, forest paths, sandstone cliffs

🥾 Trail Experience

We started from the Gray’s Arch Picnic Area, where there’s plenty of parking and easy access to the well-marked trailhead. The first part of the trail is wide, forested, and gently rolling — perfect for getting warmed up and letting Simba sniff everything in sight. 🌲🐽

About a mile in, things get real — in the best way. You descend a series of wooden staircases and rocky steps into the forest basin, where Gray’s Arch towers high above you. It’s dramatic, wild, and totally awe-inspiring.

We took the full loop, continuing past the arch and climbing back out through ridge trails and fern-filled switchbacks, making it a great mix of terrain and scenic variety.

🌉 Gray’s Arch

This natural sandstone arch is massive — spanning more than 50 feet tall and over 80 feet wide, it’s one of the most iconic formations in Red River Gorge. Standing beneath it, you feel small in the most humbling, grounding way. ⛰️✨

Simba sniffed every rock, sat for a trail snack, and posed like a champ for photos with the arch in the background. 📸🐕

🐶 Dog-Friendly Tips

✔️ Leash required — and helpful for those steep stair sections
✔️ Bring water and snacks — there’s no drinking water on the trail
✔️ The rocky sections and stairs may challenge smaller pups
✔️ Simba’s tail rating: 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 — “best forest ever!”

🚐 RV + Travel Tips

• No RV parking at the trailhead, but great base camp options nearby
• We recommend staying at Whittleton Campground or Koomer Ridge if you’re exploring Red River Gorge
• Weekday mornings = fewer crowds for that perfect arch photo
• Add on nearby hikes like Auxier Ridge or Princess Arch for a full weekend of natural wonders 🌄

🎥 Watch the Full Adventure

In this week’s video, we:

🎬 Hike the full Gray’s Arch loop
🐶 Show Simba navigating rock scrambles and stair descents
🪨 Explore the towering sandstone arch
📸 Share trail tips + golden retriever joy

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📲 Follow our journey: @lifeonpawsandwheels

✨ Final Thoughts

Gray’s Arch is one of those places that lives up to the hype — and then some. If you’re road-tripping through Kentucky or camping in Red River Gorge, this is a must-do hike for you and your four-legged trail buddy. 🐾🌄

With its forest charm, rugged beauty, and Insta-worthy views, it’s the kind of place that sticks in your memory — and your pup’s sniffer. 😂

Until next time — happy hikes, big arches, and wagging tails!
– Ash & Simba 🐶🌲🪨