kentucky mine tour

• Red River Gorge Vacations

Real Estate

Red river gorge underground: cave kayaking & boat tours, classic tours.

Classic Boat Tour

Your journey begins as you descend into the darkness in a custom-built cave boat. With an expert guide at the helm, you'll wind your way through the 100-year-old flooded limestone mine and discover the rich history and hidden secrets of The Gorge Underground.

Adult (Ages 13+) Youth (Ages 3-12)

$30 All Days $25 All Days

• 20 People Max Group Size

Minimum age for children on this tour is 3. For safety, children under 3 years of age are not able to participate.

Classic Kayak Tour

Feeling adventurous? Paddle your way through the mine in a kayak on this unforgettable one-hour tour. Make your way through the darkness as our expert guides lead the way illuminating the unique features of the Gorge Underground.

Adult (Ages 13+) Youth (Ages 5-12)

$55 Mon-Thur, $65 Fri-Sun $55 Mon-Thur, $65 Fri-Sun

• 12 People Max Group Size

Minimum age for children on this tour is 5. For safety, children under 5 years of age are not able to participate.

Deluxe Tours

Crystal Kayak Tour

Prepare to have your mind blown as you explore the Undergound in a deluxe crystal clear kayak! Underwater led lights coupled with these see-through kayaks provide a stunning view of our rainbow trout and the mine's otherwise hidden underwater details.

Adult (Ages 13+) Youth  (Ages 5-12)

$75 Mon-Thur, $85 Fri-Sun $75 Mon-Thur, $85 Fri-Sun

• 8 People; Can accommodate larger groups on request

Crystal Clear Sup Tour

Upgrade to our deluxe 1.5-hour SUP tour and experience the wonders of the cavern in a new (colorful) light. As you navigate the mine surrounded by the glow of your Crystal Clear LED board, our expert guides will reveal the best-kept secrets of the underground.

Additional Things To Do with Us

Guided, Self-driving, Off-Roading

UTV Off-Roading The Gorge

Slingshot Rentals

The Most Fun You’ll Have on 3 Wheels

Red River Gorge Ziplines

Soar Over The Gorge

Family Fun for Everyone

Kate’s Kritters

Pet & Cuddle our Furry Friends

Red River Gorge Kayaking

Kayak on the Beautiful Red River

Join Us for an Unforgettable Adventure!

Gorge Underground cave tours offer a thrilling opportunity to experience a historic mine system near the Red River Gorge. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world as you move through the cool, damp air, listening to the sounds of water dripping and marveling at the stunning rock formations.

Our local guides are experts in the geology and history of the mine system, and they’ll share fascinating stories about the area and the creatures that call it home. You’ll also learn about the delicate balance of the underground ecosystem and the efforts being made to preserve it.

Tours are suitable for all levels of fitness. So whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a first-time explorer, come join us for an adventure you’ll never forget!

Got a Group?

Gather up your friends, family, even uncle Gary, or some co-workers and we’re here to show you how adventure is done. Give us a call for special pricing and package offers.

Everything for the Perfect Getaway

Single-family to large group cabins, hotel rooms, and camping. We’ve got you covered.

We have something for everyone; from family activities to high-adrenaline adventures.

Grab the gear you need during your stay and fuel up with tasty treats.

Snacks to hearty after-hike meals, we’ve got something for every appetite!

We’re Right in the Heart of Red River Gorge

Convenient for groups coming from: Lexington, KY: 1 hr Louisville, KY: 1 hr 59 mins Ashland, NC: 2 hrs 4 mins Cincinatti, OH: 2 hrs 2 mins Nashville, TN: 4 hrs 3 mins

1-844-254-6244

2478 Glen Cairn Road, Rogers, Kentucky 41365

Get Directions

GROUP RETREATS

Visit  RedRiverGorgeVacations.com

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer

Harlan County

Where the adventure begins

Head Underground to Kentucky’s Portal 31 Mine Tour!

Welcome to Portal 31!

Portal No. 31 Underground Mine Tour offers visitors the unique experience of touring an actual coal mine by rail car. Visitors will experience travelling through a coal mine as the enjoy animated exhibits along the tour. Outside Portal 31 stands a black granite monument in tribute to long time president of the United Mine Workers John L. Lewis and a memorial to U.S. Steel District #1 miners who died in mining accidents. The site also features a 1920s lamphouse, bathhouse, L&N train depot and loadout system. A walking tour around the site includes signage that explains the history of the Portal 31 mining complex. Portal 31 RV Park is located directly across from the Portal. With 12 hookups and 8 primitive parking spaces, the park adds another option for local accommodations. The park offers a sewer dump station for tour buses and RV vehicles. Cable television hook-ups available.

Admission Portal Prices:

• Adults: $22.95
• Seniors: (62 & up) $20.95
• H.S. Students/College: $17.95
• 3yrs of age – 8th grade: $12.95

Information Regarding Tour:

The Portal 31 Tour ride accommodates 10-15 adults (18 school age children). Reservations are suggested. Larger groups can be accommodated with prior agreements made through the Portal office. The ride takes approximately 45 minutes. The rides traverses through an actual coal mine and the temperature may be cool so you want to bring a light jacket if you are cold natured. Tours are regularly scheduled at the top of each hour and you should plan to be checked in 15-20 minutes before the tour begins.

Portal 31 recently underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation and while the story line has not changed of telling the history of coal mining, our exhibits feature state-of-the-art animatronics and computer simulated exhibits. While same day tours are available, reservations are recommended to guarantee your time slot.

Gift Shop: As a remembrance to your visit to Portal 31, be sure to visit our gift shop for a t-shirt, hat, bag or Portal 31 coal and/or other items!

Other things: While the Portal 31 Tour ride takes approxiamtely 45 minutes, you can spend additional time on the walking tour around the Portal 31 complex and Lynch train depot. There are 35 informational signs that explain the structure, their uses, and the history behind them. Food and drinks are available at the Lamp House Coffee Shop across the street. We suggest you plan 2-3 hours of your time to take the tour and view the other things outside the mine tour.

For more information contact  Nick Sturgill , Manager . Telephone: 606-848-3131

Owned by the Harlan County Fiscal Court  and operated by the  Harlan County Tourist and Convention Commission . Bookings are taken by Portal 31 (606) 848-3131

Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Weekends: Please call ahead of time to ensure you have a reservation. Weekend hours are not guaranteed.

Stay up to date on attractions, events, and all things Harlan County tourism with our newsletter.

Email (required) *

[email protected]

[email protected]

606-573-4156

Visit Kentucky's Only Underground Coal Mine On This Epic Tour

Sarah McCosham

I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books. I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.

More by this Author

A world of wonder awaits below the rolling hills and busy streets of the Bluegrass, a state that’s home to numerous superlative caves and caverns . But the underground adventures don’t stop there; in Harlan, Kentucky, there’s an old underground coal mine that offers an unprecedented glimpse into our state’s history. At Portal 31, visitors can explore Kentucky’s only underground coal mine on an epic tour that belongs on any adventure-seeker’s Bluegrass bucket list.

Related Stories

Grab Some Pizza And Rent A Boat At This Awesome Spot In Kentucky

Mint Julep Experiences In Kentucky Organizes Bucket-List Worthy Trips For Bourbon Enthusiasts

Take A Unique Crystal Clear Kayak Tour Through The Caves Of Kentucky

Have you toured this underground coal mine in Kentucky before? If so, we’d love to hear about your experiences! Head over to the Portal 31 website to learn more and plan your subterranean adventure.

For a deeper dive into Kentucky’s history, head over to Big South Fork, an abandoned mining community that’s the state’s very own ghost town .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more Kentucky in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around Kentucky!

An error occured.

Related Articles

• Ride The Amtrak Through Kentucky's Appalachian Mountains For Just $28
• Ride A Magical Christmas Lights Train And Enjoy Even More Holiday Magic At Southern Lights In Kentucky
• Kentucky Just Wouldn't Be The Same Without These 7 Charming Small Towns
• Ogle Victorian Mansions Decked To The Nines On This Holiday Home Tour In Kentucky
• Bike, Hike, And Kayak On This Brand-New Trail In Kentucky
• The Scenic Train Ride In Kentucky That Runs Year-Round
• The Kentucky Cave Tour In Mammoth Cave National Park That Belongs On Your Bucket List
• Ride Through Kentucky's Wintery Landscape While Sipping Bourbon On My Old Kentucky Dinner Train

Explore Kentucky

• Arts & Entertainment
• Farms & Wildlife
• Fun Adventures
• Shops & Boutiques
• Sights & Landmarks

Featured Addresses