About
Welcome to Powell County, Kentucky!
Powell County Tourism Commission
Welcome to Powell County, Kentucky! Clay City, Stanton, Bowen, Slade, and several other unofficial towns make up the county. We are the home of the beautiful Natural Bridge State Resort Park and a portion of the Red River Gorge. Our county also houses the Pilot Knob State Nature Preserve and the wild and scenic Red River.
Powell County has miles and miles of hiking trails, lots of kayaking and canoeing options and boasts thousands of climbing routes. The Red River Gorge is currently the #2 climbing destination in the world – next only to Utah. Kentucky’s only wild and scenic river welcomes you to canoe or kayak for miles along its’ beautiful routes. The outdoor adventures are endless!
If adventure isn’t for you, we have even more to offer! You can listen to world class Bluegrass music at the Meadowgreen Music Park or take a look back in time at the Red River Historical Museum in Clay City. You may even want to spend your weekend clogging at Hoedown Island in Slade. Take a day trip through the Daniel Boone National Forest by driving the Scenic Byway and visiting the Gladie Cultural & Environmental Learning Center for information from the United States Forest Service. You can even learn about our reptile friends in one of the world’s largest collections of venomous snakes at the Kentucky Reptile Zoo in Slade. Exciting motorsports and racing can be found in Clay City with a family owned IHRA sanctioned Drag Strip. Don’t forget to shop at our local shops and eat at our local eateries!
Want to stay awhile? Choose from our wide range of hospitality companies including cabins, tree houses, motels, lodges, and more! Bring your RV and camp at one of the beautiful RV parks. Grab your tent and camp in the Red River Gorge after purchasing a camping pass/permit at one of the local shops in Slade.
With so many attractions, lodging options, and adventure, there is something for everyone in Powell County, KY. With so much to do and see you may not ever want to leave!
Our Mission
Here at the Powell County Tourism Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade, our Mission Statement is to deliver the best hospitality service in the industry to the visitors of this region of Kentucky. We strive to improve the quality of life for our county by promoting visitors to our unique area while marketing and supporting economic growth. We respect the integrity of our beautiful area and seek to promote it in a meaningful and sustainable manner.
The Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade
The Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade is owned and operated by the Powell County Tourism Commission. The commission consists of 7 board members and meetings are held every Fourth Wednesday of each month at 5pm at the visitor center.
For other information regarding the PCTC, please reach out to info@gopoco.org or call 606-663-1161.
PCTC Current Board Members
Lynne Stidham (Chair)
Dario Ventura (Vice Chair)
Debbie Tipton (Treasurer)
Jacqueline Townsend
Delbert Brown
Eric Griggs
Tony Morton
🏎️Red River RC🏎️ is back at it this weekend and registration for this weekend opened yesterday.
Secure your spot now by registering
here: https://redriverrcclub.com/
Head over to 601 N Bend Rd in Staton, Kentucky to watch or race! They can’t wait to see everyone at Red River RC for another great weekend of racing. We`re proud sponsors of this fantastic, family-friendly event!
The Milky Way over Hanson`s Point. A stunning and magical moment, captured by @billy.hikes
The Red River Gorge is one of a kind, and we are beyond grateful to call it home. Come visit and explore the beauty for yourself.
Thank you to @billy.hikes @billy.hikes.photography for allowing us to share.
TODAY! Come on out to Hoedown Island at Natural Bridge State Resort Park from 4-6pm to celebrate 100 years of this amazing and iconic state park! Stick around after the party for Appalachian dancing too!
NATURAL BRIDGE ARTISAN FESTIVAL AND QUILT SHOW is quickly approaching!
Mark your calendars for August 15 and 16! The Festival will be held right behind us (RRG Visitor Center) at the Natural Bridge Campground. The Quilt Show will be held here at the RRG Visitor Center.
The Quilt Show this year is in memory of Diane Collins, a local quilter who was an integral part of helping organize the quilt show every year. Sadly she passed away earlier this year, but her husband John will be bringing some of her quilts for display. But we want to remember the major impact Diane had on the local quilting scene. If you want to display a quilt or two in the show, simply bring your quilts to the RRG Visitor Center anytime starting after August 1. You will just need to fill out a form and that`s it!
For any questions regarding the Quilt Show, please call 606-663-1161 and ask for Pete, or email pete@gopoco.org. For any questions regarding the Artisan Festival, please contact Sandi at naturalbridgeartisanfestival@gmail.com.
Powell County Tourism is a proud sponsor of this event!
REGGAE AT THE GORGE 2026! Saturday August 1st at Hop`s Farm to Table Restaurant, presented by Tahlsound Music Festival! Live music, vendors, local food and drink, camping, and good times. Primitive camping spots are moving FAST. Snag your tickets at the link found in the comments. Come on out and make a weekend of it!
Powell County Tourism is a proud sponsor of this event!
There`s still time to come and experience "From Function to Heritage: The Evolution Of Appalachian Crafts". A traveling art exhibit that we are excited to have here at the Visitor Center until July 19th.
We wish it was here longer! But there`s just one more week left to see it!
We`re open every day! Stop in this week.
🕰️ Hours:
Monday to Saturday - 9am-5pm
Sunday - 9am-3pm
📍 Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade
30 L & E Railroad Place
Slade, Kentucky
📸: @tillbrooklynphotos
2025 economic impact numbers are back from the Kentucky Department of Tourism and Powell County had another record year! We are proud to say that more than $19 million dollars were spent and 164 jobs were created by the tourism industry in Powell County. We are proud of all that the tourism industry has created in our wonderful county.
A reminder that our Visitor Center is open 7 days a week and the gorgeous Appalachian Craft art exhibit is still up through 7/19. Come on out and see us!
Join us at Hoedown Island on Saturday, July 18th to celebrate the 100 year birthday of Natural Bridge State Resort Park!
The party is from 4-6pm, but stay for the Appalachian dancing that starts immediately after! Live music with The Meadowgreen Trio, free face painting, food, games, Red Oaks Forest School, history displays and more! Come on out and help us wish Natural Bridge a happy birthday!
🌊☀️Pool Vibes at @naturalbridge ☀️🌊
The heat is on! Looking for a way to beat the heat while visiting? Cool down and soak up the sun at the pool at Natural Bridge State Resort Park. $7 for adults, $5 for kids. They are open 11-7 daily, weather permitting. 606-663-2214.
🎆UPDATED FIREWORKS SCHEDULE🎆
Celebrate the 4th OF JULY in the RRG! We`ve updated our fireworks schedule. We hope you`ll come visit and stay to enjoy multiple festivities.
Have fun, be safe, stay cool and hydrate. We`ll be open 9-3pm on Saturday, July 4th.
Visiting the RRG this week? Beat the heat and take the Skylift up to Natural Bridge. A fantastic option for folks visiting that still want to see and explore Natural Bridge, without hiking in extreme heat.
Bring plenty of water along with you, sunscreen, a sunhat and stay in the shade whenever possible.
Stop in and see us. We`re here daily and have a beautiful traveling art exhibit until July 19th.
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the Grand Opening of From Function to Heritage: The Evolution Of Appalachian Crafts with us on Friday.
It was a pleasure seeing everyone enjoy the traveling art exhibit. Come visit us and see it for yourself. The exhibit will be here until July 19th at The RRG Visitor Center at Slade, and we are open daily!
Thank you to @thekyguild @turtlefarmpottery @montanafromky @ale8one @atgbrewery and everyone who helped prepare for the event and exhibit. We appreciate you!
