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.
CONFERENCE TIME!
Powell County Tourism Commission is honored to be hosting the Summer Quarterly Meeting for the Kentucky Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (KACVB) today through Friday! The conference is being held here at the Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, and all over Powell County. This organization consists of all of the Tourism Directors from throughout the state of Kentucky!
ROAD CLOSURES for @driftappalachia event this coming Friday and Saturday from 8am-5pm!
This Friday, head on over to @callieslakeandcampground from 6-9pm to see some souped up Drift cars with @driftappalachia. They will be drifting along Slade Hill on Friday and Saturday and unfortunately that is not open to the public. But head on over to Callie`s to see the cars and meet the drivers Friday evening🏎
Daytime closures set for Slade Hill on KY 15 in Powell County June 13-14:
JACKSON, Ky. – Drivers who use KY 15 (Campton Road/Slade Hill) in Powell County should plan to use an alternate route during daytime hours on Friday and Saturday, June 13-14.
The road will be closed between milepoints 0.5 (the intersection with Baker Ridge Road near the Wolfe County line) and 3.3 (the intersection with KY 11 at Slade) for an event sponsored by Backroads of Appalachia, which has secured a permit for the activity.
The road will be closed to all traffic between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. both days.
No signed detour will be posted, but drivers can use the Mountain Parkway between Exit 33 (Slade/Beattyville) and Exit 40 (Pine Ridge/Beattyville) as an alternate route while KY 15 is closed. Portable electronic message boards will be placed to notify drivers of the closure.
Approximately 525 vehicles use this section of KY 15 each day.
JAM PACKED WEEK! It almost didn`t fit on the page there`s so much good stuff going on this week! A few highlights include:
+tons of activities and programming at Natural Bridge State Resort Park every day
+RRG Discovery Zone pop up at the @rrgfarmersmarket
+Friends of Powell County Pets Annual Yard Sale at @sticksstonesandstitches
+Ice Cream Social at @rrg.generalstore
+Live team trivia at @skybridgestation and @145_roadhouse
+@driftappalachia Cruise In at @callies_campground and after party at @pithouse_tbc
Check out our website for a FULL rundown of all of these awesome events!
(Also a quick reminder that HWY 15 from the Park N Save gas station up Slade Hill to Koomer Ridge Campground will be closed Friday and Saturday June 13-14 from 8am-5pm for the Drift Appalachia event.)
The Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade got a little makeover 💅😍😎
Mike Sparks and crew were here the last week pressure washing and staining the building and it turned out wonderful! They did an incredible job and we couldn`t be happier! We`re tidying things up for hosting the Kentucky Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (KACVB) next week! This organization is for all of the Tourism Directors from throughout the state of Kentucky. We are honored to be hosting the Summer meeting next week at Natural Bridge State Resort Park and throughout Powell County!
Thanks again to Mike for helping the RRGVC look its best! Call or email for any painting or staining needs! 606-481-0609 or sparksm65@yahoo.com 👨🎨
BE LIKE THESE FOLKS! They took us up on our offer to pick up trash here in the Red River Gorge and they got a FREE @ale8one! If you want to be cool like them, just swing on in here at the Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade (across from the rest area) and grab a trash bag, then swing back in after you pick up some trash for your free ice cold beverage! It`s a win-win! Thank you to Ale 8 for partnering with us for this promotion!🚮
Just hangin` around the Red River Gorge.
It`s a bonus when your Assistant Director also happens to be one of the best climbing guides in the region and co-owner of @bluegrassclimbingschool Thanks for showing me the ropes, Travis! 🧗♂️
SUMMER IS HERE 😎
And with that comes a FULL week here in the Red River Gorge! This week was so packed it almost didn`t fit! Get out your magnifying glass (or head to our website for a full rundown also)! A few highlights include:
+Tons of cool programming and activities with the Natural Bridge State Resort Park Park Naturalist (including a couple guided hike opportunities on Saturday)
+Drag racing at Kentucky Dragway
+Mountain Memories Festival hosted by our friends and neighbors Menifee County Tourism Frenchburg-Menifee Chamber of Commerce
+Live music at @pithouse_tbc
+@rrgfarmersmarket
+Fishing Derby at Indian Creek
+TONS MORE!!!
As always, check the comments below in case we forgot something! You can always submit events on our website also if you want to see your event up here!
Friends of Powell County`s Pets! At the Powell County Tourism regular board meeting a few days ago, we presented Jack Tolson with a plaque and recognition for his dedication with making walking sticks for the RRG Visitor Center at Slade. We collected donations for the walking sticks and have raised just shy of $2000 so far for the Friends of Powell County Pets! We appreciate Jack and all he has done for the community! The puppers sure do love you too! 🐾🐶
Coming into town for the Red River Gorge Bigfoot Festival this weekend? Before you leave town on Sunday, swing on over to our friends at @turtlefarmpottery for their 1-year Anniversary Block Party in downtown Campton! Check out those awesome Bigfoot mugs too! The event is from 4-8pm on Sunday, June 1 in downtown Campton. There will be live music and a food truck to keep the party rolling! ☕👣
Happy Memorial Day from Powell County Tourism Commission!
We`re going to try to start putting out these weekly event updates on Mondays now since there`s good stuff happening all week long! A few highlights this week include:
+Trivia tonight at @145_roadhouse hosted by @chelseanolanmusic
+Trivia tomorrow night at @skybridgestation
+RED RIVER GORGE BIGFOOT FESTIVAL hosted by @explorestanton
+@rrgfarmersmarket
+@turtlefarmpottery 1-year Anniversary Block Party
+Yoga with @appalachian.asana
+LOTS MORE!
As always, check the comments below for more events in case we missed anything! You can always check out our website for a full rundown of future events!
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND! When you are visiting the area, swing on into the Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade for all of your information and wayfinding needs! We have an awesome crew here this morning ready to help! The weather is looking beautiful 🌞🥾🗺
We`re open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm everyday (Sundays 9am-3pm)! You can also call us with any questions you may have at (606)-663-1161!
@kentuckylivingmag! Not only is the Red River Gorge up for nomination (no duh), but @thatcherbarbecuecompany is also up for a win for best BBQ in Kentucky! You can vote once per day per email address! Let`s get to voting and bring the RRG and Thatcher`s home some gold! 🥇
