Cliffview Recreational Preserve

About CRP

Hammocks & drones are not permitted on CRP property. All pets must be leashed. 

Cliffview Recreational Preserve (CRP) is comprised of over 30 cliff faces and 3.5 miles of cliff line located in Campton, Kentucky. In 2024, the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition (RRGCC) collaborated with Cliffview Resort and Lodge to obtain a recreational easement for access to the cliff faces at CRP, ensuring increased public access to climbing opportunities for future generations. The easement provides a 20-foot access easement above the cliff face for route development and maintenance and 40 feet below the cliff face for climbing & belaying access.

In late 2020, Ian Teal, owner of Cliffview Resort, contacted the RRGCC to discuss the possibility of making a land donation. Over the course of several meetings with Ian, the RRGCC’s Access & Acquisitions Committee members learned he desired to open his property below the cliff line to various recreational activities, such as climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and more, to complement the cabins he would be building on top of the ridge. RRGCC proposed a unique cliff face climbing easement which would provide public access for rock climbing to specific cliff faces in Cliffview. This unique solution ensures permanent climbing access for the public, while allowing Cliffview Resort & Lodge to develop the property for other recreational and business purposes.

“Located in the heart of the southern region of Red River Gorge, this cliff face easement provides a wonderful new opportunity for rock climbing without the full cost and burdens of land acquisition and ownership. It strikes a balance between permanent public climbing access and the land owner’s right to use, develop, and enjoy their land.” - Jereme Ransick, RRGCC Board Member & Access & Acquisitions Committee Chair

“Securing this recreation easement has been an excellent opportunity for the RRGCC to open access to additional rock climbing and recreation in a different capacity than purchasing property outright. This easement allows for shared land management responsibilities and the ability for the RRGCC’s Board and Staff to continue focusing resources on other projects as well. It also sets a solid foundation for future talks with other landowners in the area who may be interested in opening their properties for rock climbing.” - Billy Simek, RRGCC Executive Director

This area is projected to open to the public in 2025. Currently, RRGCC is supporting climbers in the community with their efforts to develop routes by providing property waivers, guidance on accessing the property, and obtaining free hardware from the landowner. Through the hard work and dedication of volunteer route developers, over 160 routes have been established in 2024 alone. Route development is ongoing – if you have experience and want to develop routes in CRP, please visit read below. Once routes are established, the RRGCC will work with Cliffview Resort to create infrastructure such as foot trails and parking, and eventually the RRGCC will publish public access information. 

We would like to thank Ian Teal, Jereme Ransick, Jonathan Bruns, Michael Bond, Michael Hargis, Brian Ogawa, Curtis Rogers, Van Wombwell and the RRGCC’s Access & Acquisitions Committee for all of their time and hard work in making this agreement happen.

The CRP is currently under development and is not yet open to the general public.

CRP PRESS RELEASE HERE

CRP Easement Map

Click here for interactive map.

IMG_4411

Route Developer Information

If you have route development experience and are interested in developing routes in the Cliffview Recreational Preserve, please read the following guidelines and submit the required waivers and MOU's. 

CRP Developer Presentation

Developer Requirements

  1. Read and sign the RRGCC Climbing Waiver
  2. Read and sign the Developer MOU
  3. Read and Sign the CRP Supplemental MOU
  4. Upon completion of these documents, email crp@rrgcc.org and to notify the RRGCC of your intent to develop.
  5. You will receive an email with access instructions and the gate code.
  6. Contact Jonny Neville (jonnyneville@gmail.com) to access free route hardware provided by Cliffview Resort & Lodge.

Summary of Additional Rules

  1. Routes are only allowed at the cliffs specifically outlined in the CRP Easement and Cliff Face Map. If you are not 100% certain if a cliff is within the easement, please contact crp@rrgcc.org to confirm before accessing or exploring the cliff.
  2. Written notification of intent to develop must be sent to the RRGCC PRIOR to bolting any route at the CRP by sending an email to crp@rrgcc.org. Upon completion of a route, please submit the CRP Route Submission Form.
  3. Free hardware is available from the manager at the Land of the Arches campground. This equipment is limited and will be controlled by the Manager to ensure it is used appropriately. Contact jonnyneville@gmail.com for more information and to obtain this hardware.
  4. Top land access is only allowed where explicitly defined on the easement map. If you have questions or concerns about how you can access a cliff contact crp@rrgcc.org before accessing the cliff.
  5. Trespassing on non-easement land during development will jeopardize the continued expansion of the CRP.
  6. Do not attempt to cut or install an approach trail. Developers may use their own minimally invasive user-defined trail while developing, but they must ensure they are only accessing cliffs using approved parking areas and access paths.
  7. Route names that are deemed vulgar, discriminatory, or hurtful will not be tolerated. Route names should not include the name of or direct references to any person unless that person has explicitly authorized the use of that name.
  8. Publication, online or in print, of any new route(s) must be delayed until the trails and infrastructure have been completed. The RRGCC will send a notification when a route is cleared for publication and will make every effort to work promptly but delays may occur.
  9. Complete, the RRGCC Climbing Release and Waiver before entering Cliffview Recreational Preserve.

Resources

CRP Agreements & Documents

 

Property Maps & Photos

Access to Cliffview Preserve

During the development phase of the CRP developer access to CRP is generally available from Cable Ridge Road off of KR-715 near Land of the Arches Campground. Please drive cautiously on Cable Ridge Road and be courteous to neighbors.

There is a gate with a combination lock at the entrance to the CRP. There have been issues with side-by-side accessing and damaging the property. The gate should remain locked to prevent unauthorized access.