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.
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! 🥇
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!
We`ve got a packed lineup of awesome events going on around the Red River Gorge this holiday weekend! Come on out and stay in one of our incredibly awesome and unique cabins for the weekend! A few highlights for the week include:
+Drag racing at Kentucky Dragway for 3 days
+SINGO hosted by Chelsea Nolan at @toadsbarn_grill
+Tornado relief benefit Yoga class at Stanton Gym with Appalachian Asana
+@rrgfarmersmarket at The Natural Bridge Skylift & Giftshop
+Lots more!!!
As always, check the comments below in case we forgot anything! You can also always view our up-to-date events calendar on our website: gopoco.org/events-calendar.
On another note, we closed the RRG Visitor Center at Slade early today (Tuesday 5/20) due to inclement weather. Please stay safe out there and keep sending Eastern Kentucky some love.
RED RIVER FEST!!! The annual @friendsofredriver Wild & Scenic Red Riverfest is THIS WEEKEND! Powell County Tourism is a proud sponsor of this event and we can`t wait for it to happen every year!
There will be yoga, food vendors, live music, a climbing wall, a fun float paddle, a kickoff party at @skybridgestation on Friday an epic after party at @pithouse_tbc following the festival on Saturday!
Check out the full schedule below! Also just a reminder that cell phone signal will be spotty at the festival, so please bring cash for food and vendors! 🛶🛶🛶
THIS WEEK IN THE RED RIVER GORGE!
Another packed week coming up here in the RRG! There`s the regular lineup of awesome weekly events, plus we have the annual Wild and Scenic Red Riverfest hosted by Kentucky Waterways Alliance and Friends of Red River! A few other highlights include:
@rrgfarmersmarket
Drag racing at Kentucky Dragway
+Live music all over the place!
+Red Riverfest Afterparty at Pit House
+Yoga with Appalachian Asana
+Cornhole tournament at @toadsbarn_grill
+Free performance with the Louisville Orchestra at Happy Top in Beattyville
+TONS MORE!
As always, check the comments below in case we missed anything! You can submit events to be included on our calendar on our website!
FUN FUNDRAISER OPPORTUNITY! Show off your putt-putt skills all while benefitting two VERY deserving local volunteer organizations, @powellcountysar and @wolfecountysar!
This coming Saturday May 17th from 11am-6pm, test your skills on the course and get a chance to take away some really great prizes! Call 606-668-5213 or email info@redrivergorgevacations.com for more info! ⛳
JAM PACKED WEEK HERE IN THE RED RIVER GORGE!
Look at all of the awesome events happening in the region this week! A few highlights include (but definitely not limited to):
+Grand opening for the @rrgfarmersmarket (reschedule due to the storms last weekend)
+Red River Museum Homecoming and Old Engine Show
+Live music at @toadsbarn_grill, @hops_at_rrg, @skybridgestation, and @145_roadhouse
+Mothers Day Buffet at Natural Bridge State Resort Park (reservations required, 606-663-2214)
+SINGO (bingo with songs) at @toadsbarn_grill hosted by the one and only @chelseanolanmusic and SINGO at @145_roadhouse
+SO MUCH MORE!!
Check out the full rundown below! Remember to check the comments for anything we missed. Also remember you can view ALL upcoming events on our website`s event calendar!
Red River Museum Homecoming and Old Engine Show! Coming up this weekend!
This fun, family-friendly, free event is one of our favorites! Head on over to the museum in Clay City this weekend and checkout some primitive skills such as blacksmithing, flint knapping, pottery, quilting, weaving and spinning, and more! There will also be oral history from some of the best around, as well as delicious food served all day.
Friday and Saturday May 9-10 from 9am-4pm! Free!
THIS WEEKEND!
Things are lining up to be an epic weekend around the Red River Gorge this weekend! A few highlights include:
+Opening day at @rrgfarmersmarket
+SINGO at @toadsbarn_grill and @145_roadhouse
+Live music at @pithouse_tbc, @toadsbarn_grill, @145_roadhouse, and Battle of the Bands
+Yoga with @appalachian.asana
+LOTS MORE!
As always, check out the full rundown below or on our website! Check the comments for anything we missed. As always, you can submit events on our website to be added to our calendar!
HAPPY EARTH DAY! 🌍💕
What better way to celebrate than by hitting the trails for a little Nature Scavenger Hunt! This is perfect for kids of ALL ages! Leaves are starting to get really green right now too, so now`s a great time to learn all about leaf identification as well. Happy Earth Day, everyone! Let`s take care of our little slice of heaven today and everyday 😍🌲🌳🫶
P.S. These super cute handouts are available for free at the Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade!
RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES IN THE RRG!
Looking for something dry to do on rainy days like today? Check out this extensive list we`ve been compiling for over a year now! This is an evolving document that we continually add to! Have another suggestion, drop it in the comments below! 👇👇👇
