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.
BLUEGRASS BIGFOOT VOLUME 2 OUT NOW! Head on over to our friends at Daniel Boone Coffee Shop to see our other friend Charlie Raymond with Kentucky Bigfoot Research Organization do a reading and book signing for his new book, Bluegrass Bigfoot Vol. 2: Daniel Boone Encounters. The event is from 6pm-8pm THIS FRIDAY the 14th and is free to attend! Books will be available for purchase 👣
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE AT Mushroom Grove Shopping Village at the Red River Gorge! This Saturday! Come hang out at the coolest new spot in town and get some Christmas shopping done and get some Christmas photos done at the same time! Christmas specials and holiday spirit galore! 🎁⛄🎅🎄
SIGN UP TODAY! 2nd Annual No Trash November - Powell County Community Trash Cleanup! You are only guaranteed a shirt if you sign up by TODAY! Sign up at the link in the event page. This community trash cleanup is held on Saturday, November 22nd. Free Miguel`s Pizza, Free Stanton Dairy Queen breakfast, free Ale-8-One! 🚮
This annual event is in partnership with Powell County Transfer Station!
Local Living Legend! Each year, Powell County Tourism honors someone as part of their Local Living Legend series, aimed at honoring individuals who have made a significant impact on Powell County in a variety of ways. This year, PCTC had the distinct pleasure of honoring Judge Sara Walter Combs. Judge Combs`s contributions to Powell County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky are undeniable.
Also, one quick shout out to Mike and Vicky Reed. During the celebration (during Friday Night`s intense thunderstorm), a youth group visiting the RRG came into the center seeking shelter and seeking a church to accommodate them for the night due to the inclement weather. Without hesitation or question, Mike and Vicky offered to open the doors to the Bowen First Church of God gymnasium. This community is so warm and welcoming and we love being part of it! Thank you Mike and Vicky! And thank you to Judge Combs for being an absolutely incredible human being and citizen of Powell County!
NO TRASH NOVEMBER! SIGN UP BY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH FOR A FREE TSHIRT! THE EVENT IS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND!
Powell County Transfer Station
Miguel`s Pizza
Ale-8-One
Stanton ACE Hardware
Citizens Guaranty Bank
Stanton Dairy Queen
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczXclU5p_8AGOCB8g37S0hzH0vIQvKkiPmpm0ihPXw8v5S-g/viewform
THIS WEEKEND IN THE RED RIVER GORGE! The Fall colors are peaking and it`s looking like a beautiful week! Still lots going on!
A few highlights include:
+Annual Relay For Life of Powell County, KY
+Live bluegrass music at Meadowgreen Appalachian Music Park
+Holiday Open House at Sash & Bow
+Fig Adventure Race 361 Adventures
+Bigfoot Boone Forest Campout
+Lots more!
Check the comments below in case we missed anything!
HALLOWEEN WEEK! Lots going on here in the Red River Gorge! Check out the full rundown below or on our website at gopoco.org/events-calendar. Check the comments below in case we missed anything!
BUSY WEEKEND! Here`s a reminder about all of the awesome happenings going on this weekend!
Red River Gorge Farmers Market
Callies Campground in Red River Gorge
Stanton Tourism and Convention Commission
Kentucky Dragway
Meadowgreen Appalachian Music Park
Mushroom Grove Shopping Village at the Red River Gorge
Plus Bill Taylor and the Appalachian Heatherns at @pithouse_tbc
Plus plus Woolly Worm Festival Beattyville/Lee County Tourism
For a full rundown of events, head to our website at Gopoco.org/events-calendar!
Meadowgreen Appalachian Music Park! The 2025/2026 season kicks off THIS WEEKEND! They`re hosting an open jam session and potluck to kick things off. Come on out, bring an instrument and bring an appetite! Their full season schedule is found on the other flier also. Make plans to check out one of the coolest music venues in the entire state! 🎶🎻🎤
PICKLEBALL! Exciting news for Powell County! Stanton City Park just unveiled their new pickleball courts! When you come visit the area, make sure to bring your paddles and check out the beautiful park in Stanton! 🥒🎾
📸: Stanton City Park
FALL COLORS ARE STARTING TO POP! AND FALL WEATHER IS HERE! This weeks lineup is INSANE with all of the awesome stuff happening in the area!
A few highlights include:
+Pumpkinpalooza at @rrgfarmersmarket - live music, pumpkin painting, costume contest
+The Haunted Barn kicks off this week
+@trailofterrorrrg
+Haunted Trail at Mushroom Grove Shopping Village at the Red River Gorge
+Season opening potluck and bluegrass jam at Meadowgreen Appalachian Music Park
+Annual Callies Campground in Red River Gorge Halloween bash! Rita from Powell Co Tourism will be set up handing out candy!
+Stanton Fright Ride at Stanton City Park put on by Stanton Tourism and Convention Commission - PCTC is a proud sponsor of this event!
+Live music with @bill_taylor_music at @pithouse_tbc
+Annual Woolly Worm Festival in Downtown Beattyville put on by Beattyville/Lee County Tourism Beattyville Main Street
+@fireflyhills After Dark - Paranormal tours
+EVEN MORE GOODNESS!
Check out the full lineup below! Check the comments in case we missed anything! This was a jam packed week!
MORE HALLOWEEN GOODNESS COMING YOUR WAY! Check out this other awesome event hosted by @explorestanton on October 25th. They have partnered with the Man O War Harley Davidson to bring you an epic day of motorcycle stunts, magic show, spooky storytelling, food trucks, a freight ride, and trunk or treating! See flier for more details and make plans for an epic halloween weekend here in the Red River Gorge!
