Red River Scramble 2018

Nestled in the Appalachian foothills of eastern Kentucky, Red River Gorge is a canyon system littered with sandstone cliffs, rock shelters, waterfalls, and natural arches. The paved roads in and around the gorge are some of the best in the Bluegrass State, meanwhile the off-road riding offers adventure seekers challenges over a myriad of conditions and intimate access to some of the area's unique scenery.

Red River Scramble is a grassroots motorcycle event; eastern Kentucky is arguably my favorite place to ride, and I want to share that experience with similar minded motorcyclists. This year the event will begin on Friday, June 1st, and will be primarily held at the Natural Bridge Campground in Slade, Kentucky. I expect that most folks will roll in Friday at some point, enjoy a taste of the local riding, and some of the local food. It’s my hope that attendees will arrive in time for a Friday evening campfire and informal meet-and-greet, that way folks can mingle and potentially form riding groups for Saturday. After a long day of riding Saturday, folks can again gather around the fire pit and exchange stories about the day's adventures; there may also be some special giveaways to be had at that time. Admission is free, and riders will be responsible for making their lodging arrangements. The event will be rain or shine, please plan accordingly; hopefully the Bluegrass State will bless us with comfortable June weather. The Campground has multiple levels of accommodations, from fully furnished cabins with indoor plumbing, designated RV parking with associated hook-ups, multiple tent camp sites including 110V power connections, along with typical primitive arrangements; bathroom and shower houses are also available for campers.

“Adventure” is the spirit of the event but dual sport bikes are not required. Per my previous comments, paved roads in the area are some of the best in the state, many of which also grant attendees access to some of the best views. Inversely, the dual sport riding can accommodate multiple skill levels; The Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway (DBBB) includes challenging trails around the entire area, meanwhile riders new to dirt, or first time “scramblers” can get a taste for gravel on many of the well-manicured forest service roads inside Daniel Boone National Forest. Seasoned adventure riders may also want to consider making an entire week of the event and tackling the Kentucky Adventure Tour (KAT) as it overlaps with the northern portion of the DBBB in Slade.

Red River Scramble FAQ

Natural Bridge Campground