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The epitome of wilderness hiking in Kentucky through the Swift Camp Creek Gorge.


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Map Key

6.7

Miles

10.8

KM

Point to Point

1,226' 374 m

High

873' 266 m

Low

952' 290 m

Up

758' 231 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Swimming · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a wilderness area so wilderness regulations apply.

Description

Beginning on the south end at Rock Bridge Trailhead the trail takes off with a descent on a roughly paved tourist trail. At the bottom of the descent, Swift Camp Creek Trail cuts hard left and enters into a long and winding gorge over Swift Camp Creek.

Miles later the trail climbs out of the gorge to gain Sky Bridge Ridge and KY 715. There is only one other trail access along the way at Wildcat Trail.

Stunning scenery and true remoteness make for a memorable experience.

You can do this an out-and-back, a shuttled hike, or a loop by incorporating the paved KY 715 and gravel Rock Bridge Road. It can also be combined with Rough Trail for an east-west traverse of the Red River Gorge.

Flora & Fauna

Heavy undergrowth, rhododendron, snakes, and wildflowers galore!

Contacts

Shared By:

Chris Chaney

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 13 votes

#889

Overall
  4.5 from 13 votes
5 Star
62%
4 Star
23%
3 Star
15%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#9

in Kentucky

#889

Overall
19 Views Last Month
7,015 Since Jul 5, 2015
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
25%
8%
42%
25%

Photos

An unnamed waterfall below the trail on Swift Camp Creek
Jul 9, 2015 near Campton, KY
Crossing Bearpen Branch on the Swift Camp Creek Trail
Jul 14, 2015 near Campton, KY
Autumn along Swift Camp Creek Trail
Jul 14, 2015 near Campton, KY
View of Swift Camp Creek from the trail.
Mar 13, 2016 near Campton, KY
Sons Branch Creek crossing.
Mar 13, 2016 near Campton, KY

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Check-Ins

Aug 24, 2022
Angelina Bentz
Oct 16, 2021
Stephen Davis
Great trail. Awesome water features/opportunities. Incredibly difficult from a footing perspective. Moderately challenging topographically. 6.7mi
Aug 18, 2021
J S
Beautiful cool day. Rained last night. — 10h 30m
Jun 29, 2018
Bill Pelfrey
Nov 3, 2017
Connie Head
Hiked out this morning in the rain after spending the night of Swift Creek Camp Trail. Colors are beautiful!
Oct 6, 2017
Brian Murphy
Aug 19, 2017
David Snyder
Tough trail narrow and muddy
May 27, 2017
Danny Turner
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