What’s at Stake
The RRG has long been a refuge of peace, wilderness, and awe.
But now, its core identity is threatened. It may no longer be the sanctuary of tranquility and adventure we once knew it to be.
The Problem
When officials announced plans for a “well-planned modern Gatlinburg” for the Red River Gorge in 2019, it was a wake-up call to an already mounting issue.
Red River Gorge Gatlinburg or no, the area is experiencing extreme tourism pressure.
On peak days, Tunnel Ridge Road (a network of hiking trails) closes mid-morning as there’s nowhere left to park.
According to the Judge Executive, Eddie Barnes, in Powell County alone, 300+ cabins were built in 2024.
Anyone who has recently visited RRG can testify to this pressure. New billboards cropping up along the beloved mountain parkway are one such example.
No visitor, resident, or business owner wants to replicate the disasters of the sinister side of Gatlinburg’s economy. But if action isn’t taken, that’s the way the Red River Gorge is inevitably headed.
So what can be done?
If the error of mass-scale tourism destinations is the lack of checks and balances, which results in a type of tourism madness, what is a better alternative?
Red River Gorge United formed for this purpose: in concrete steps, to pursue a better future for the area
Land conservation is a critical need in the Red River Gorge. It’s one way to tangibly and permanently impact the present and future integrity of the area.