Home » State’s adventure tourism event season hits high gear in October

State’s adventure tourism event season hits high gear in October

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Next month may be the best of the year for outdoor adventure in Kentucky. There are ample adventure tourism event opportunities during October.

Things kickoff with a bang the first weekend, Oct. 6-7. Here is a sample of what adventure seekers can experience, from the Kentucky Office of Adventure Tourism. The only bad thing – you can’t be in more than one place at once!

The fall paddling season begins on the Russell Fork River in Eastern Kentucky. Elkhorn City in Pike County is home to some of the best paddling opportunities in the Southeast. Each October, the Flannagan Reservoir is lowered to winter pool levels, and folks downstream reap the benefits.

Sheltowee Trace Outfitters, the popular guides normally found on the Cumberland River, offer guided rafting trips each weekend.  Last October, the Russell Fork River hosted the best kayakers in the world at the 2011 USA Canoe and Kayak National Team Trials. Paddlers of all skill levels descend on the scenic Breaks gorge, aptly nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the South, this time of year for journeys they won’t soon forget.

To learn more about the river itself, check out www.russellfork.info, and to schedule a rafting trip check out www.ky-rafting.com.

The largest trail riding event of the year is set for the first weekend in October. The popular Knott County Trail Ride promises to bigger and better than ever. The Knott County Mine Made Adventure Park is the home for this event and offers hundreds of miles of trails for riders to explore. Thousands of riders and their horses will journey to eastern Kentucky for fellowship, entertainment, good food and great trail riding. Put it on your calendar for Oct. 4-7. The campground opens Sunday, Sept. 30.

Cyclists also have a big event to look forward to this first weekend in October. The 2012 Governor’s Autumn Bike Ride Across Kentucky (GABRAKY) will begin on Friday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 7. This popular cycling event is a fund raiser for the Grand Theatre, a 428-seat community arts theater in downtown Frankfort. Rides will be offered all four days, and all rides will feature some of the best on-road cycling available anywhere.  Time is running out, so be sure to visit www.gabraky.com for registration and specific route info.

Last, but certainly not least, is Rocktoberfest 2012 at the Red River Gorge,  Oct. 5-7. This annual event put on by the Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition is a must-attend for climbing enthusiasts. This year’s event is particularly special as the coalition will celebrate making the final payment on the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve (PMRP).  Natural Bridge Campground will be the host venue for the 2012 event. There are plenty of exciting events and great entertainment. If you are a climber, you need to attend Rocktoberfest! Visit the Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition website to learn more at www.rrgcc.org.

To find information about all of the outdoor opportunities and locations, as well as a calendar of events happening all across Kentucky, visit the Office of Adventure Tourism’s website at www.getoutky.com.