The Red River Gorge Underground

 The Red River Gorge Underground, also known as The Gorge Underground, offers a mesmerizing subterranean adventure just outside Slade, Kentucky. Nestled within a century-old limestone mine, this one-of-a-kind attraction invites visitors to explore a hidden, flooded world via guided kayak and stand-up paddleboard tours. Originally developed for limestone extraction over 100 years ago, the mine was gradually transformed as groundwater filled its vast, excavated chambers. After being abandoned in 1985, the site became an unofficial playground for adventurous kayakers—though often with dangerous consequences. At its peak, emergency crews responded to as many as 10 to 12 rescues per month for lost paddlers. In 2015, the property was purchased and transformed into a safe and regulated destination. 

Ready for an adventure 

The guide told us that they use to tell the kayakers the shinny 

material on the ceiling was fools gold. On day a geologist 

on the excursion set them straight, it was a fungus.

Nice calm water to kayak in.

There are large fat trout in the mine

The exit strategy is to roll out of your kayak

You can see from this map of the mine how people could become lost.