Slade, Kentucky Short-Term Rental Market
Slade, KY, gateway to Red River Gorge, averaged $255/night at 55.6% occupancy in June 2026 with no local STR permit required.
Quick Answer: Slade, Kentucky is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Red River Gorge market area is 56%. average monthly revenue in the Red River Gorge market area is $4,051. average daily rate in the Red River Gorge market area is $255. the top operator in the Red River Gorge market area is Red River Gorge Cabin Rentals with 125 listings. market score is 90/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the Red River Gorge regional market, which includes Slade. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Slade.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Slade is a tiny (population 107) unincorporated community in Powell County marketed as the ‘Adventure Capital of Kentucky,’ the primary gateway to the Red River Gorge Geological Area and Daniel Boone National Forest. The broader Gorge region tops 1 million visitors annually and is described by local reporting as an underbuilt cabin-rental market. In June 2026, the latest month with data, short-term rentals in this market averaged $255.40 per night at 55.6% occupancy, generating $4,051 in average monthly revenue per listing. Revenue rose 1.2% year over year, occupancy 0.8%, and ADR 1.2%. By property type, entire homes averaged $4,163/month and houses $4,203/month, far ahead of apartments at $1,145/month. Across the wider Red River Gorge submarket, entire-place cabins make up roughly 96% of listing inventory, reflecting the destination’s group cabin-rental focus for climbers, hikers, and families.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 31% |
| Feb | 38% |
| Mar | 55% |
| Apr | 52% |
| May | 51% |
| Jun | 58% |
| Jul | 59% |
| Aug | 49% |
| Sep | 47% |
| Oct | 65% |
| Nov | 51% |
| Dec | 37% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Slade are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Red River Gorge market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Red River Gorge market as a whole, which includes Slade, so these counts are not Slade-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red River Gorge Cabin Rentals | 125 | 1,157 | ★ 4.76 |
| 2 | Red River Gorge Getaways | 112 | 14,691 | ★ 4.82 |
| 3 | StayOver @ Red River Gorge | 75 | 7,969 | ★ 4.66 |
| 4 | Red River Gorge Scenic Cabin Rentals | 64 | 3,956 | ★ 4.64 |
| 5 | Red River Gorgeous Wilderness Cabin Rentals | 53 | 2,921 | ★ 4.83 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Slade?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Slade are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 39.9% |
| vrbo | 5.8% |
| both | 54.3% |
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Slade — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Slade is an unincorporated community in Powell County, so there is no city government and no Slade-specific short-term rental ordinance, permit, or license requirement; the area_profile data confirms permit_required is false. Kentucky has no statewide STR licensing scheme, and Powell County has no known countywide STR permit ordinance for its rural, unincorporated areas. Operators must still collect and remit lodging taxes: a Powell County 3% overnight transient room tax (filed with Powell County Tourism, due the 20th of the following month), plus Kentucky’s statewide 1% transient room tax and 6% state sales tax on accommodations. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit many Kentucky state-level lodging taxes on hosts’ behalf, though hosts should confirm whether the 3% local county tax is captured or register directly with Powell County Tourism if not. There are no known owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirements and no cap on rental nights. Enforcement is rated minimal. Because the region is growing quickly and described as underbuilt for cabins, investors should verify current rules with Powell County directly, as new regulation could emerge as volume grows.
Market Comparison
Slade’s 55.6% occupancy in June 2026 tracks close to the roughly 55% U.S. median often cited for short-term rentals, while its $255.40 ADR runs somewhat above the roughly $220 national median, consistent with a specialized outdoor-recreation cabin destination. No property manager snapshot data is currently published for this specific market, so no top-operator ranking is available here; based on available data, ownership in the immediate Slade area still appears fragmented among independent cabin operators rather than concentrated under a large management company.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slade, Kentucky
What is the average occupancy rate for short-term rentals in Slade, KY?
Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Slade, KY?
What is the average nightly rate for a cabin rental in Slade, KY?
When is the busiest season for Red River Gorge cabin rentals in Slade?
What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Slade, KY?
How much revenue does a Slade, KY cabin rental generate?
Analyze Slade Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Slade.
Free Slade STR Calculator →
