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.
OFFICIAL KENTUCKY VISITOR GUIDES! Are now available here at the Red River Gorge Visitor Center at Slade (Slade Welcome Center)!
If you look closely at the cover, you`ll also notice some of our friends on there! There`s an RRG shot glass from @turtlefarmpottery ☕ and a carabiner from @bluegrassclimbingschool 🧗♀️. So cool to see the Red River Gorge well represented with @kytourism!
DOUBLE HEADER BLUEGRASS!
Meadowgreen Appalachian Music Park had to reschedule one of their shows earlier in the year due to snow, so today there is a double dose of bluegrass over at the barn! Head on over for one or both great shows! First one kicks off at 2pm! 🪕🎸🎻
WHO ELSE IS READY FOR SOME WARMER WEATHER?! Have you peeped that weekend forecast for here in the Red River Gorge? 😎🌞
Pictured here is White`s Branch Arch ⛰🥾
YOGA IN A CAVE! Need we say more? See the flier below for all of the pertinent information! Call 606-663-2214 to reserve your spot for this insanely cool opportunity to do yoga in a cave that`s normally off limits over at Natural Bridge State Resort Park 🧘♀️🙏
WE`RE OPEN! We`re back in action here at the Slade Welcome Center! We have resumed normal business hours of 9am-3pm every day (that is until Mother Nature throws us another curve ball)! Come on in and see us! ❄️
Photo by our sneaky Front Desk Champion Lesa Caudill 📸
The snow keeps on coming! We saw another 1-2" of snow in the Red River Gorge region overnight with more coming down throughout the day. A huge shoutout to all of the road workers, EMTs, Firefighters, linemen and others out there keeping everyone as safe as possible. While it is beautiful outside, the roads remain slick and difficult to navigate with these low temperatures. Stay safe and warm at home unless you have to get out. Once this all clears up, it`ll be more important than ever to come on out and support all of our amazing local restaurants and shops! ❄☃
STAY SAFE OUT THERE EVERYONE! While it may look like a beautiful winter wonderland, the roads are slick and the temperatures are dropping, making it more treacherous as the day progresses. The Slade Welcome Center is CLOSED today and tomorrow due to the winter storm. We will make an update as soon as we are able to open back up.
This epic photo was taken by @billy.hikes last year around this same time. Stay safe and only go out if you need to! ☃❄
WALKING STICK RESTOCK!
We got a new load of locally hand crafted walking sticks from our good friend Jack right here in Powell County. Best part is, they are FREE with a donation to the Friends of Powell County Pets, which supports the Powell County Animal Shelter.
Head on in to the Slade Welcome Center to get yours before they are gone! We are open 9-3 everyday!
HAPPY NEW YEARS from the Powell County Tourism Commission! 🍾🎊
Making a New Years resolution? How about you make one to spend more time in the Red River Gorge?! 😁🤗
NEW YEARS EVE!
In town for the holiday?! Looking for something fun to do this evening to ring in the new year?! Head on over to Sky Bridge Station or 145 Roadhouse for a party!
Sky Bridge Station will be hosting Live Team Trivia with @qatrivia starting at 7pm, followed up by some live music!
145 Roadhouse will be having live music and more starting at 7pm also!
Know of any other events going on tonight, drop them in the comments below!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the Powell County Tourism Commission! 🎅☃🎄
Just a reminder that the Slade Welcome Center is closed today through Thursday. We will reopen on Thursday 12/26 at 9am. We have free maps and brochures available outside of the center in our Little Library, so swing on by and grab one! Head over to our website for more RRG information also: gopoco.org!
How gorgeous does Nada Tunnel look all dressed in speckled white? 😍❄
The Slade Welcome Center will be CLOSED 12/24-12/26. We will reopen on Friday with our normal 9am-3pm hours!
Photo by Little Sandy Dronography
