Kentucky's Natural Bridge has drawn visitors to Powell County for more than 100 years. The first sightseers in 1896 were brought in by train over the Lexington and Eastern Railroad line. The 2300 acre park was first setup by the railroad company, and has been managed by the Kentucky Parks Service since 1925. The main feature of the park, a 78 foot wide natural arch towers 65 feet over the onlooker's heads. The resort park, surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest, has added a variety of amenities including the Hemlock Lodge, a swimming pool and the Sandstone Arch Restaurant.
   The park also features nearly 20 miles of hiking trails, with a well worn, three-quarter mile path leading up to the sandstone arch. To avoid over-crowding at the Hemlock Lodge, hikers are directed to a parking lot across the river. Hikers join the arch trail via a swinging bridge which sways over the Red River. The trail is not the only way to take in a view of the arch. After a ticket purchase at the gift shop the Skylift travels up from the valley to Lookout Point for a close-up encounter with the natural arch.
   The Kentucky Natural Bridge Resort Park is noted for its traditional Appalachian square dances. During the summer, the weekends come alive on Hoedown Island where the tradition has endured for over have a century. Hoedown Island has been designated as the Clogging Capitol of Kentucky.

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