People are drawn to the Red River Gorge because of its climbing walls, sandstone arches, and paths that reward effort with breathtaking views. Generally speaking, it’s not a spa destination. When someone travels two hours from Lexington or Cincinnati to spend a weekend at the Gorge, they typically bring a backpack rather than a bathrobe. Because of this, The Temple, which is located behind the Peddlers Bar at The Hive at High Rock, a glamping property on High Rock Road in Stanton, frequently surprises people who discover it because someone sent them a video on social media and they made a reservation before fully understanding what they were getting into.
The Hive happily and sometimes sarcastically refers to itself as “your friendly neighborhood cult.” The Temple is its most unique feature. It is a boutique glamping resort constructed around a particular aesthetic—artsy, eco-conscious, and really open to groups that have occasionally felt less welcome at major outdoor resorts. Up to three people can spend two hours alone in a hillside setting with claw foot soaking tubs, a cool plunge pool, outdoor showers, an infrared sauna, and a rooftop yoga deck with a massage table.
The outdoor, seasonal setup runs from April 1 to November 1. There are robes and towels available. These include infused or sparkling water, a light snack, bath oils, and a clay face mask. In contrast to an indoor spa, the aroma of the bath oils is carried in the outdoor air in a way that is not confined, not recycled through a ventilation system, but simply present in the way that outdoor air combined with something warm and fragrant may be.
Important Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Property Name | The Temple — Immersive Thermal Spa |
| Location | The Hive at High Rock, 1392 High Rock Road, Stanton, KY 40380 |
| Rentals Phone | (606) 481-8747 |
| Spa Phone | (786) 597-0853 |
| Season | Open April 1 – November 1 (seasonal) |
| Package | Private outdoor thermal spa package — up to three people; two hours |
| What’s Included | Claw foot soaking tubs, cool plunge pool, outdoor showers, infrared sauna, rooftop yoga deck with massage table, towels, robes, sparkling/infused water, clay face mask, bath oils, light snack |
| Package Type | Private booking — solo, couples, or groups of up to three |
| Parent Property | The Hive at High Rock — boutique glamping resort; eco-friendly; pet-friendly; LGBTQ-inclusive |
| Accommodation Options | Barrel House cabin, luxury glamping yurt tents, and other unique units — stays can be combined with spa visits |
| Events | Intimate weddings, retreats, and event space also available on property |
| Nearest Region | Red River Gorge, Daniel Boone National Forest — Powell County, Kentucky |
The idea of switching between hot and cool temperatures to allow the body to react to temperature differences is not new. The idea that switching between hot and cold water causes physiological benefits that a typical massage or steam room just cannot mimic as effectively is the foundation upon which European spa operators have created significant businesses. Scandinavian bathing culture has been doing this for generations.
What The Temple is doing is a version of that in an American outdoor setting, situated next to a hiking and climbing destination where people arrive physically exhausted and frequently in true need of recuperation, rather than in a luxury resort where the clientele comes explicitly for wellbeing. That placement is either deliberate or coincidental, and it might be both. It’s easy to describe the allure of soaking in a claw foot tub on a hillside as the sound of falling water surrounds you after a strenuous day on the Rough Trail or a morning on the climbing walls at Miguel’s Pizza.
Depending on how The Temple promotes the experience, reservations fall into three general categories. Those who desire a specific recuperation window and are staying at the Gorge for a longer period of time often find the solitary option—one person, two hours, complete privacy—to be appealing. The property’s most obvious date-night option is the couples version, which is in high demand, especially on fall weekends when the Daniel Boone National Forest’s foliage is doing what Kentucky’s foliage does.
The three-person option is reserved for groups of friends who are coming for a celebration, such as milestone weekends, bachelorette getaways, or birthdays, and who want to plan the day around something more than just eating and hiking. Each of the three versions receives the same two hours—enough time to actually cycle through the hot-cool-rest process without hurrying it—as well as the identical private access and included things.
If you choose to stay on the property, The Hive itself provides lodging in distinctive units, such as the Barrel House cabin, opulent glamping tents that resemble yurts, and other alternatives that feel more upscale than the typical campground. In an area where making such a statement is not usually the norm, the resort as a whole runs with an LGBTQ-inclusive and eco-friendly positioning that feels real rather than fake. The facility also accepts reservations for weddings and retreats, so on certain weekends a single party occupies the entire space, changing the ambience.
The Temple’s TikTok videos, which have received hundreds of thousands of likes, give the impression that the place’s renown is growing more quickly than it can handle. Private, seasonal, two hours for three people—the number of reservations is rapidly limited. It is advisable to make reservations in advance, especially during the October window when the trees are turning and the combination of cool air and warm soaking water makes the most sense of the year.
