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<\/a><\/p>\nSituated among the rolling mountains of Kentucky is a slice of heaven for rock climbers, food lovers, and camping fanatics.<\/p>\n
Kentucky\u2019s Red River Gorge is known to have the best rock climbing in the eastern United States and is continuously swarmed with climbers looking for some adventure. Those who venture to the valley often camp behind a tiny pizza shop known as Miguel\u2019s Pizza<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thirty years ago, Miguel moved to Kentucky, decided to open a pizza shop in the heart of the mountains, and soon got the idea to allow the climbing community camp in an open field behind the restaurant for a mere $2\/night. As I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve guessed, it\u2019s transformed into a major success and dubbed the \u2018Camp Four of the East.\u2019<\/p>\n It\u2019s equipped with pavilions, showers ($1.00 for 4 minutes), basketball court, slacklines, board game\/chill room with free internet, equipment shop, and laundry room for all your stanky climbing clothes at the end of a long day.<\/p>\n It also has no cell-service, which you all know is right up my alley. I have Verizon, and my phone was roaming a majority of the time. *Confused*<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Red River Gorge is famous for its climbing, and there are kick-ass rock walls all around. The choices are endless, and even those who have been camping there for months have yet to try them all. On our journey, we climbed at Muir Valley, Phantasia Wall, and Left Flank.<\/p>\n Left Flank was by far the most expert crag we visited, with most ratings 5.10 or higher. Muir Valley has the Practice\/Guide Walls, which have the lowest ratings for warm-up. My personal favorite route was a 5.8+ at Left Flank, which unfortunately I didn\u2019t get to complete because of dwindling daylight and my inability to lead\/clean a route. Rats.<\/p>\n At night, the climbers return to Miguel\u2019s with empty stomachs. After downing a pizza (or two), many hang out in the pavilion or basement. This is where you will play cards, meet other climbers, and share stories of the day\u2019s climbs. Some campers are visiting for the weekend, and others have called the place home for months.<\/p>\n It sounds like a dream. Wake up, eat a breakfast burrito, go climbing, play some cards, and wait to do it all again tomorrow. I think I\u2019m convinced to spend a couple of weeks out there this spring.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miguel\u2019s does have complimentary Wi-Fi, which is most helpful in keeping track of the weather. Our last night, the tent flooded around 2 am, along with the sleeping bags, blankets, and layers of clothing. If we\u2019d had known, we would have packed a second (more waterproof) tent to set up instead. Oops.<\/p>\n But attempting to sleep in a car that smelled like a men\u2019s locker room was a blast.<\/p>\n And for those misty days, if you\u2019re not crazy about overhang, the rock will be too wet to climb. Luckily there are also hiking routes to keep you busy for days. The Natural Bridge (one of the biggest in the world) is 3 miles from the shop and is a must-see. A hike to the top is a common route (you may just run into someone you know, like fellow blogger Adventure Mom<\/a>). Continuing down the trail, the crowds will dwindle, and if you make your way to Lovers Leap Lookout, chances are you\u2019ll be completely alone.<\/p>\n Miguel’s Pizza is humble and homey, and Miguel has gone above and beyond to make it a haven for climbers. The gear shop is rad, his restaurant is delicious, and he allows the climbing community to have a home in Kentucky.<\/p>\n And hell, if you have $300 in your pocket, you could comfortably live there for a couple of months. $60\/month for camping? Count me in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t Soulful adventurer. Probably lost. Definitely eating ice cream.<\/p>\n In her late-teens, Shalee drove out of her small hometown watching the sunset behind her along the two-lane\u00a0highway. Her ventures began in Michigan, where she taught herself to travel on a budget. Today, Shalee shares her tips and stories to thousands of readers interested in adventure, budget, and outdoor travel. Learn more about her here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Epic Five: Utah’s Insane National Parks\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Lost in Translation: Why We Thought We Were Being Robbed in Colombia<\/a><\/p>\n The Michigan Bucket List<\/a><\/p>\n How to Visit 25 Countries for Under $3,500<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n\t\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\n\t\tJoin the Adventure\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t
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