Southeast Mountain Guides — Attraction in Kentucky

Would rate 10 stars if I could, and would recommend this company to anyone in the area for guided rappelling, rock climbing, and all other services they offer!!

We chose this company as they offered both 50ft and 120ft rappelling options, which seemed a good fit for us as some members of our group have a fear of heights and were very nervous about rappelling in general. They appeared more affordable than others in the area, but the different height options are what really drove us in choosing this company.

We had initially booked for four of us, however the day before our guided rappelling was to take place, my son got injured hiking and wasn't able to participate, leaving only my daughter and I left to actually participate. We called the morning of our reservations to see if we could modify, as we weren't entirely sure we would have to make the changes when the injury initially took place, and they were more than happy to oblige, we did not have any cancellation fees, and the staff on the phone never made us feel unwelcome or an inconvenience, though we all know last minute changes definitely are an inconvenience!

Location was easy to find, and the gentleman that greeted us upon arrival was very friendly and welcoming. Nicole was our guide and she was phenomenal! Extremely friendly, patient, happy to answer my questions and truly made our first rappelling experience a great one! I was very timid upon almost every drop we did, however she remained patient with me and continued to guide me and encourage me throughout. My daughter absolutely loved it and was likewise encouraged by Nicole, though she was fearless and seemed a natural at rappelling in general.

Will definitely recommend Southeast Mountain Guides to anyone I know planning to be...

Our recent trip with Southeast Mountain Guides for a rock climbing adventure was absolutely phenomenal! We had a group of 13 scouts from Troop 307, ranging in age from 11 to 17, and it was an experience none of us will soon forget.

From the moment we arrived, the staff at Southeast Mountain Guides were incredibly professional and friendly. They made sure we felt welcome and safe throughout the entire adventure. Their expertise and guidance were invaluable, especially for our beginner climbers who were tackling their fears of heights for the first time.

The six hours we spent climbing flew by in a blur of excitement and adrenaline. With breaks for lunch between sections, we were able to recharge and soak in the stunning surroundings of Red River Gorge. The entire experience was well-paced, allowing everyone to challenge themselves while still feeling supported by the staff.

What truly made this trip exceptional were the moments of triumph experienced by our scouts. It was incredible to witness several beginner climbers conquer their fear of heights and successfully complete two sections of the course. Their sense of accomplishment was palpable and served as a testament to the supportive environment fostered by Southeast Mountain Guides.

Overall, our scouts unanimously agreed that this was one of the best campouts they've ever been on. The combination of thrilling adventure, professional guidance, and stunning scenery made for an unforgettable experience. We cannot recommend Southeast Mountain Guides highly enough and are already looking forward to our next...

My daughters and i have climbed with SMG on two occasions now, both with great success and lots of fun. Our first trip was in December, where Nicole helped arrange an off-season half-day climbing trip for our first "real crag" experience. SMG was the only guide service willing to do this (i contacted several). Nicole is a fantastic guide: very supportive of my daughters (12 & 9), good instruction to them and me, and a good selection of routes for our skill level (started on 5.7 and worked up to a 5.10easy). This experience set a high bar.

Our second trip out was also fantastic (late spring). This time we sought something a little more advanced. Our guide, Cody, worked with us to set top ropes at Muir Valley on a perfect warm morning. He, too, was generous with time, patient, encouraging, and prepared. Later in the outing he helped me learn the basics for a traditional (trad) climb. I went out the next morning with Cody for a one-on-one trad experience: instruction, practice, and then ascent. What an amazing time! I learned a lot and was grateful for the quality of instruction.

Using SMG has been invaluable to our growth in climbing. They know the RRG very well and are very flexible about making your trip work for you. As a result, we were able to simply enjoy the experience while they deftly handled all of the details. I will use SMG each time we need a guide for the Red, especially as we explore new areas and increasingly...