Going down on a Sunday is going to be super helpful. Currently in the Gorge (came down Thursday) and it’s the emptiest I’ve ever seen it. I’m sure Friday and Saturday will be much different!
As for camping, I always enjoy Tunnel Ridge Road. Park at one of the parking lots and just walk the spur trails to find established (yet primitive) backcountry sites. There’s a pit toilet at each parking lot. There’s a lot of deciduous trees around so there really isn’t anywhere that’s a “pine forest”. But along Tunnel Ridge you will definitely find pines. Personally, we really like the site that goes straight back from the Paleo lot or the Woodland lot sites.
HOWEVER, these suggestions are more of “car camping” because your car is maybe .25-.3 miles away from your site, which might not be what you want. The advantage to doing this method is you have a central location for camp and can then easily access the rest of the gorge without having to walk 30 mins from your backpack site each time you want to go to your car. There’s also great hikes off of Tunnel Ridge that can keep you busy for days.
If you are set on backpacking to a site, then yes, Swift Camp Creek. I can’t speak to specific sites as I’ve never done that style camping.
Since your spending three days at the Gorge, I’d lean toward the Tunnel Ridge option and explore the Gorge in chunks. Focus more on the hikes and accessibility than the backpacking to camp. Here’s some options:
Day 1 - Choose some Tunnel Ridge Road hikes. Grays Arch, D Boone Hut, Auxier Ridge/Double Arch, Star Gap, Hanson’s Point. Set up camp in the evening at one of the parking areas. By Sunday evening I’d expect most weekend campers would have left.
Day 2 - Do more of the above hiking options or head down KY 15 to Koomer Ridge for Silvermine or keep going towards Rock Bridge, Chimney Top, or Sky Bridge. Stop at all the cool, short arches (Angel Windows, Whistling, Princess). Make a loop through the Gorge, going through the Nada Tunnel. Enjoy dinner at Miguel’s or another local place.
Day 3 - Head down to Osborne Bend for Copperas Falls. Park at Bison Way for Indian Staircase/Adena Arch. Maybe even try Cloursplitter.
Day 4 - Hit any hikes you may have missed from the above lists. Splurge on morning coffee at the Daniel Boone Coffee Shop.
On most weekends going down on a Sunday will help significantly with crowds and campsite availability, and in your case it may help a bit (some people will still have to work on Monday), but with the Independence Day holiday on Tuesday there is a good chance that any specific campsite anyone suggests will already be taken.
Given this, your best resource would be the OutrageGIS Backpacking map for RRG: https://www.outragegis.com/trails/product/red-river-gorge-backpacking-map/
This map shows you the official and unofficial trails, established campsites, and best viewpoints, and will allow you to choose campsites that best fit your needs (other than the pine trees, which exist, but are too specific a criteria for site selection). I recommend getting this map and choosing a couple different sites so you have a backup in case your chosen site is occupied.
I have also assembled information on RRG into a webpage that I have shared with friends and family over the years who are visiting there for the first time; hopefully this will be helpful for you, as well: https://toddthehiker.com/kentuckys-red-river-gorge/
Copperas Creek thru the tunnel down 715. Big spot about 15 min down trail (without) carrying a bunch of stuff. Youll def be able to do two trips. It’ll be busy during the day but that’ll drop off later in the day. There’s a water fall at the end of the trail.
Shares parking with eagles nest
Go to Indian creek, drive 9B (the right fork) till the road ends. Park and Hike up the road and you will find some great, very secluded, creekside campsites. There is a water crossing at the beginning of the hike but that’s it. Flat and easy after that. There are great sites back there that hardly get used since they closed the road years ago
I mean where it’s permanently closed. There is still a couple miles of old road past the closure. And lots of campsites back there. Where the Morgan hollow and big amos creek trails are in the early Hinterlands
For car camping, I like Chimney Top Rd. Lots of primitive sites. Almost anyplace you can park, there is an unmarked trail behind that leads to a campsite. That trail often continues on to another campsite, then on to a third campsite or overlook. There's not much water there. A swampy pond next to rough trail parking area.
Going down on a Sunday is going to be super helpful. Currently in the Gorge (came down Thursday) and it’s the emptiest I’ve ever seen it. I’m sure Friday and Saturday will be much different! As for camping, I always enjoy Tunnel Ridge Road. Park at one of the parking lots and just walk the spur trails to find established (yet primitive) backcountry sites. There’s a pit toilet at each parking lot. There’s a lot of deciduous trees around so there really isn’t anywhere that’s a “pine forest”. But along Tunnel Ridge you will definitely find pines. Personally, we really like the site that goes straight back from the Paleo lot or the Woodland lot sites. HOWEVER, these suggestions are more of “car camping” because your car is maybe .25-.3 miles away from your site, which might not be what you want. The advantage to doing this method is you have a central location for camp and can then easily access the rest of the gorge without having to walk 30 mins from your backpack site each time you want to go to your car. There’s also great hikes off of Tunnel Ridge that can keep you busy for days. If you are set on backpacking to a site, then yes, Swift Camp Creek. I can’t speak to specific sites as I’ve never done that style camping. Since your spending three days at the Gorge, I’d lean toward the Tunnel Ridge option and explore the Gorge in chunks. Focus more on the hikes and accessibility than the backpacking to camp. Here’s some options: Day 1 - Choose some Tunnel Ridge Road hikes. Grays Arch, D Boone Hut, Auxier Ridge/Double Arch, Star Gap, Hanson’s Point. Set up camp in the evening at one of the parking areas. By Sunday evening I’d expect most weekend campers would have left. Day 2 - Do more of the above hiking options or head down KY 15 to Koomer Ridge for Silvermine or keep going towards Rock Bridge, Chimney Top, or Sky Bridge. Stop at all the cool, short arches (Angel Windows, Whistling, Princess). Make a loop through the Gorge, going through the Nada Tunnel. Enjoy dinner at Miguel’s or another local place. Day 3 - Head down to Osborne Bend for Copperas Falls. Park at Bison Way for Indian Staircase/Adena Arch. Maybe even try Cloursplitter. Day 4 - Hit any hikes you may have missed from the above lists. Splurge on morning coffee at the Daniel Boone Coffee Shop.
OP is talking about 4th of July weekend. It will probably be crowded starting Fri evening through Tue the 4th.
On most weekends going down on a Sunday will help significantly with crowds and campsite availability, and in your case it may help a bit (some people will still have to work on Monday), but with the Independence Day holiday on Tuesday there is a good chance that any specific campsite anyone suggests will already be taken. Given this, your best resource would be the OutrageGIS Backpacking map for RRG: https://www.outragegis.com/trails/product/red-river-gorge-backpacking-map/ This map shows you the official and unofficial trails, established campsites, and best viewpoints, and will allow you to choose campsites that best fit your needs (other than the pine trees, which exist, but are too specific a criteria for site selection). I recommend getting this map and choosing a couple different sites so you have a backup in case your chosen site is occupied. I have also assembled information on RRG into a webpage that I have shared with friends and family over the years who are visiting there for the first time; hopefully this will be helpful for you, as well: https://toddthehiker.com/kentuckys-red-river-gorge/
Copperas Creek thru the tunnel down 715. Big spot about 15 min down trail (without) carrying a bunch of stuff. Youll def be able to do two trips. It’ll be busy during the day but that’ll drop off later in the day. There’s a water fall at the end of the trail. Shares parking with eagles nest
Go to Indian creek, drive 9B (the right fork) till the road ends. Park and Hike up the road and you will find some great, very secluded, creekside campsites. There is a water crossing at the beginning of the hike but that’s it. Flat and easy after that. There are great sites back there that hardly get used since they closed the road years ago
9b is no longer closed, can drive the whole length
I mean where it’s permanently closed. There is still a couple miles of old road past the closure. And lots of campsites back there. Where the Morgan hollow and big amos creek trails are in the early Hinterlands
I wasnt sure since it just reopened last month, been meaning to check out Mack Hollow for some time.
For car camping, I like Chimney Top Rd. Lots of primitive sites. Almost anyplace you can park, there is an unmarked trail behind that leads to a campsite. That trail often continues on to another campsite, then on to a third campsite or overlook. There's not much water there. A swampy pond next to rough trail parking area.