Miguel's Pizza (Slade, KY)

After a day of exploring Red River Gorge in Slade, Kentucky, Miguel's Pizza is an ideal place to relax and chow down on a pizza made your way!

Red River Gorge (specifically Natural Bridge State Park) is one of our favorite one-day getaways in central Kentucky.

The views are great, the hiking is exhilarating — it's the perfect place to meet up with friends, or for a last-minute adventure with just us.

Looking for more central Kentucky hiking? Try Raven Run in Lexington or, in Berea, Robe and Basin Mountains and East and West Pinnacles.

I do have to admit that partway through our trek, as I'm powering through to Hanson's Point, Gray's Arch, or Rock Bridge with my trekking pole in hand, my mind inevitably wanders to a very important subject.

How much longer until we get to eat at Miguel's?

Miguel's, you see, is one of the few restaurants in the gorge area, and it's legendary. What better way to end the day than with a pizza made to order, and a refreshing glass of something cold?

Getting to Miguel's

Miguel's Pizza is located in Slade, Kentucky, right on Natural Bridge Road. It's literally about two minutes from the lodge, the sky lift, and the trailhead to the bridge.

Take note that this place is quite popular! Be prepared to wait if you're visiting on a weekend or other high-traffic time. (My verdict is, the wait is worth it!) You could also order online ahead of time.

There's plenty of indoor and covered outdoor seating.

Ordering Your Pizza

Pizza's not the only thing you can order here: there are sandwiches too, or you can have a salad or bowl made to your specifications.

But pizza is definitely the specialty!

Above the counter, monitors display the topping list.

Miguel's stocks an impressive variety of veggies, and more than the usual number of meats too. There are several cheese options, and even gluten-free crusts.

After you narrow down your choices and order, grab a number and find a table.

And then settle in with your drink of choice. The last time we were there they had some Kentucky-made brews, hard cider, and kombucha, and they also made margaritas.

Oh, the anticipation!

Prefer a pizza loaded with veggies? I enjoyed spinach, bell peppers, and olives on mine.

There's always the traditional pepperoni.

Or, for a winning combination of sweet and salty – pineapple and avocado!

I think you get the idea. Whether your tastes run toward the usual, or you like to experiment, Miguel's has you covered. And it's delicious.

Exploring the Building

There's fun and quirky stuff to browse at Miguel's while you wait.

From souvenir t-shirts to local art and products, you just might find something that you want to take home.

Just a minute further up the road is Miguel's Rock Climbing Shop, with lots of climbing gear for sale. There's a campground there specifically for rock climbers, and a few basic rooms for rent over the shower house.

Also very close by is The Gorge Underground, an opportunity to do some underground kayaking! It's a fantastic experience.

Miguel's is our happy place after a big hike. If you're heading out to Red River Gorge soon, I hope you get to end your day here!