Fall Has Wings!
Late September brings a migration to Kentucky’s mountains before the leaf-peepers arrive. This one has wings, and Red River Gorge is one of the best places to notice the season moving overhead.
Before the Leaves Take Over
Fall gets most of its Kentucky publicity once the trees begin changing color, but the forest has already started shifting by then.
At Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade, late September is specifically noted as a good time for fall bird migration. That makes the days immediately after September 22 worth paying attention to, even if the hillsides are still mostly green.
Hood’s Branch, Rock Garden and Whittleton Branch trails are among the park’s recommended birding areas, offering a reason to slow down and look above the trail instead of only at what is underfoot. For an easier outing, the Lakeside Trail adds the possibility of spotting waterfowl without turning the day into an endurance test.
Binoculars help, but they are hardly a requirement. The pleasure is in noticing movement through a landscape that is still on the verge of its more obvious transformation.
Visitors who would rather watch the canopy than hike through it can also take the Sky Lift, which operates daily through the final weekend of October and carries riders to within 600 feet of the park’s 78-foot sandstone arch.
A Better Reason to Look Up
A morning in the Gorge can start close by at Daniel Boone Coffee Shop in Slade, with coffee and breakfast before heading into the park.
Afterward, Red River Rockhouse in Campton offers a post-hike stop with a distinctly local connection. The family-owned restaurant works with ingredients from area farmers, ranchers and artisans, a sourcing philosophy that is central to how the Rockhouse describes itself.
The usual fall instinct is to wait for peak color. Late September makes a good argument for arriving earlier.
Before the forest turns red and gold, birds are already moving through it, making the seasonal change visible in a quieter way. The leaves will have their moment soon enough. For now, the interesting part of fall is heading south.
For more ways to get outside across the Commonwealth, explore the sports and recreation directory at https://www.guidetokentucky.com/sports-recreation.
