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!
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 a list of current board members and for any other information regarding the PCTC, please reach out to info@gopoco.org or call 606-663-1161.
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 Drive-In Diner GRAND OPENING! THIS SATURDAY!
Did someone say Cruise-in and The Sandlot on the big screen? Can it get anymore Summer than that?! 😎🏎⚾🎥
From The Drive In Diner`s Facebook:
Join us Saturday, August 16th at The Drive-In Diner for an unforgettable throwback night! We’re kicking things off with our Grand Opening celebration AND a Cruise-In at the Drive-In!
🎡 ALL-DAY FUN – Inflatables for the kids
🎶 LIVE MUSIC – Bring your dancing shoes
🎬 MOVIE NIGHT – The Sandlot (bring your blankets & lawn chairs for the perfect drive-in vibe!)
🍔 DELICIOUS DINER EATS – Open 11am–8pm
🍿 CONCESSIONS – 8–10pm
🚘 FREE Cruise-In Registration – Shine up those classics & customs!
https://form.jotform.com/252116597110148
🎟 FREE Admission – Bring the whole family!
QUILT SHOW! It`s that time of year for the Natural Bridge Artisan Festival and Quilt Show! THIS WEEKEND!
Natural Bridge Artisan Festival is held at Natural Bridge Campground (right behind the Red River Gorge Visitor Center) and the hours are:
Saturday, August 16th - 10am-6pm
Sunday, August 17th - 10am-4pm
The Quilt Show is held at the Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade (across from the rest area) and the hours are:
Saturday, August 16th - 9am-5pm
Sunday, August 17th - 9am-3pm
Come on out and enjoy the beautiful weather and see some gorgeous Appalachian arts and crafts!
PS. If you have a quilt you would like displayed at the show, just swing it by the RRG Visitor Center before this Friday!
THIS WEEK IN THE RED RIVER GORGE!
We have another packed week coming up here in the Red River Gorge! A few highlights include:
+Annual Natural Bridge Artisan Festival and Quilt Show! Festival is at Natural Bridge Campground and Quilt show is here at the Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade.
+Grand opening of Mushroom Grove Shopping Village at the Red River Gorge this Friday from 5-8pm! Shops are open all day!
+Gospel in the Hills fundraiser for Relay For Life of Powell County, KY at Powell County Lions Club
+The Drive-In Diner Grand Opening Car Show
+Live music all over the place
+Lots more!
Check out the full rundown below or on our website! As always, check the comments for anything we missed and feel free to submit your own event anytime at our website!
Story Unfinished;! The 2nd Annual Story Unfinished event is being held at the Powell County Lions Club Park THIS SATURDAY August 9th from 11am-4pm. The event is FREE to attend and everyone is encouraged to attend! This event focuses on suicide prevention and awareness, offering resources and guidance. Plenty of fun will be had as well with a car show, wet and dry inflatables, live music, face painting, train rides, vendors, a butterfly release, and lots more! Come on out and support this powerful event that is put on by Screamin` Beans Coffee Shop, Stanton, Ky owner Christina Smith. 🦋
STEP RIGHT UP AND CHECK OUT THIS WEEK`S LINEUP! Once again it`s chock full of awesome events right here in the Red River Gorge!
A few highlights this week include:
+@story_unfinished23 Event at Powell County Lions Club Park - This is a suicide awareness and prevention event that will have live music, vendors, a butterfly release, inflatables, a car show, and lots more. Powell County Tourism is a proud sponsor of this powerful event.
+Trivia, SINGO, and live music all over!
+@rrgfarmersmarket
+Professional Bull Riding in Campton
+Yoga with @appalachian.asana
+LOTS MORE!
As always, check the comments below for anything we missed! You can also submit your own events on our website!
The Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade never looked better 😍🌈
A huge shoutout to our good friend and neighbor Dedra with Beattyville/Lee County Tourism Beattyville Main Street for the amazing photo of the double rainbow over the RRGVC a couple weeks ago 📸
The weather this weekend is looking FANTASTIC! So come on out and swing into the RRGVC on your way into town. We`re open 7 days a week!
Stanton Corn Festival!!! It`s this weekend! And WOW do we have a great weather forecast 😎😍
Things kick off Friday evening and run through Sunday. Check out the full rundown on the flier below! All events are held at @stantoncitypark so come on out and enjoy the beautiful weather! 🌽🌽🌽
THIS WEEK IN THE RED RIVER GORGE! Lots coming up this week!
See the full rundown below or on our website, but a few highlights this week include:
+Stanton Corn Festival kicks off on Friday and runs through Sunday
+Drag Racing two nights at @kentucky_dragway
+Trash Cleanup at Campton City Park along Swift Camp Creek (@friendsofredriver)
+@rrgfarmersmarket
+Yoga with @appalachian.asana
+Live music and lots more!
As always, check the comments for anything we missed! You can also submit your own events on our website!
PSA! NADA TUNNEL CLOSED TUESDAY, JULY 29th!
Nada Tunnel on KY 77 in Powell County to be closed on Tuesday, July 29
Pavement repairs scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
JACKSON, Ky.– Drivers who use the Nada Tunnel on KY 77 in the Red River Gorge in Powell County should prepare to use an alternate route on Tuesday, July 29. The road will be closed for pavement repairs.
A number of potholes have developed on the driving surface of the one-lane former railroad tunnel that serves as an iconic gateway to the Red River Gorge National Geological Area. The closure is necessary for blacktopping work.
The repairs will begin at 8 a.m. and will be completed by 4 p.m. The road will be closed to all traffic during this time.
Drivers can use KY 11/KY and either KY 613 and Forest Service Road 23 through Bowen, or KY 715 through Pine Ridge, as an alternate route to avoid the closure.
The tunnel is located at milepoint 2.25 on KY 77. Approximately 725 vehicles use the Nada Tunnel each day.
FOUR DAYS out from @reggaeatthegorge! Here is the full lineup for the day! Make sure to snag your (free) advanced tickets to make sure you get one before they`re gone! Gates open at 4pm on Saturday at @hops_at_rrg 🇯🇲🎶
COMING IN HOT! We`ve got a lot of awesome stuff happening all around the area this week! A few highlights include:
+@reggaeatthegorge at @hops_at_rrg! We are a proud sponsor of this event!
+Live music all over the place including @pithouse_tbc, @toadsbarn_grill, @skybridgestation, @145_roadhouse
+Appalachian dancing at Natural Bridge State Resort Park
+Lots of fun programming and activities at Natural Bridge State Resort Park
+Date Night Drag Racing fun at @kentucky_dragway
+LOTS MORE!
Check out the full rundown below! And as always, check the comments below if we missed anything 👇👇👇
CLEDUS T. JUDD! GOOFIEST OF ALL TIME! There are still a few tickets left for tomorrow`s show! The location has been moved to Meadowgreen Appalachian Music Park due to the chance of inclement weather. Text "Cledus" to 606-481-2199 for tickets! Gates open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm!
