Kentucky · Rock climbing · Slade

Natural Bridge Region

Natural Bridge Region in Kentucky has 9 climbing routes with 8 difficulty grades.

Natural Bridge RegionPhoto: Hyokano, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
9 routes
5.5 – 5.9+
Sport · Trad · Mixed

Is Natural Bridge Region open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name Natural Bridge Region, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Natural Bridge Region

Best months: August–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    42° / 24°

    13 wet

  2. Feb

    47° / 27°

    13 wet

  3. Mar

    57° / 34°

    15 wet

  4. Apr

    68° / 44°

    15 wet

  5. May

    75° / 53°

    15 wet

  6. Jun

    82° / 61°

    14 wet

  7. Jul

    84° / 65°

    14 wet

  8. Aug

    84° / 64°

    12 wet

  9. Sep

    79° / 57°

    10 wet

  10. Oct

    69° / 44°

    12 wet

  11. Nov

    57° / 35°

    12 wet

  12. Dec

    46° / 28°

    13 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Beattyville 4n, KY, 10 mi away at 1,080 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Natural Bridge Region is a climbing area in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the Cumberland Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land. The area's climbing draws a variety of styles. OpenBeta lists nine routes, including four sport routes, three trad routes, one boulder and one mixed. Grades run from 5.5 to 5.9+ on the YDS scale, with The Jolly Roger at 5.6 and All Cracked Up at 5.9+. The Friction Slab AKA Bulldog Boulder boulder lies just 0.6 miles away. For a full day, several other spots sit close by. Balanced Rock Trail - Shelltowee NRT #100 and Battleship Rock Trail are both hiking options within a mile, and Emerald City offers more climbing about 1.5 miles away. Indian Creek Camping Area is about 6 miles off for an overnight stay.

Routes (9)

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