Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, is known for automobile manufacturing and bluegrass music. It’s also a top destination for off-road riding with steep hills, diverse forests, and scenic mountains.
Some of the best off-roading trails can be found in Kentucky. Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area offers 150 miles of trail to explore. There’s also Rush Off-Road, which is excellent for off-road experts and beginners.
Our top 12 off road trails in Kentucky are as follows:
- Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area
- Rush Off-Road
- Turkey Bay OHV Area
- Daniel Boone ATV Trails
- Wilderness Trail-Off Road Park
- Dirty Turtle Offroad Park
- Earlington Loch Mary Lake ATV Park
- Redbird Crest Trails
- Blue Holler Offroad Park
- Mine Made Paradise Adventure Park
- Greasy Creek ATV Park
- Royal ATV Trails
12 Best Off Road Trails in Kentucky
1. Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area
With 7,000 acres of OHV trail system, the Black Mountain off-road adventure area has some excellent trails to explore. This 150-mile trail system is open to 4×4, ATV, and dirt bike riders all year round.
The trails in this adventure area are rated difficult. They have a few steep hills, and the elevation is 1200 to 3000 feet. There are also easy and moderate trails for beginners. If you are up for a different thrill, you can take the zipline canopy tour.
2. Rush Off-Road
With 7000 acres of land, Rush Off-Road features more than 100 miles of trails designed for off-roading. These trails provide an excellent place for both experts and beginners. This off-road and ATV park in KY also offers an opportunity for off-road drivers to hone their skills. Off-road fans flock to this area to watch the event as the pros take on the wheel.
3. Turkey Bay OHV Area
This area is host to over 100 miles of trails designed for all-road vehicles. The site is centrally located between the Lakes National Recreational Area and covers over 170,000 acres of land.
Turkey Bay OHV area comprises primary, secondary, and tertiary trails, which are rated as moderate. They feature rocky gravel terrain and muddy areas. The loop trail has an elevation of 214m.
Besides off-road driving, the 12.9 km trail can also be used for bird watching and nature trips as it features beautiful wildflowers.
4. Daniel Boone ATV Trails
If you’re looking for some Kentucky ATV trails, the Daniel Boone ATV trail system offers some beautiful areas to explore. The trail system opens year-round and features a hundred miles of trails. It is also surrounded by stunning forest scenery and provides opportunities to see wildlife.
If you are riding from Hyden, Ky, the easiest way to get there is by taking SR-421/80 west, which is about 4 miles. The terrain has some hard pack and loose dirt with little dust. Riders should expect some steep hills, intersections, few crossings, and small jumps. The hazards are marked, but it is best to observe with caution. The elevation is 900 to 1500 feet.
5. Wilderness Trail-Off Road Park
Located in southeast Kentucky, the Wilderness Trail is another off road park in Kentucky that is open to ATVs, jeeps, trucks, and dirt bikes. With 9,000 acres of land, the trail features 120 miles of rocky terrain suitable for novices.
The park is open 24 hours and offers drivers breathtaking views of the Pine and Cumberland Mountain ranges.
6. Dirty Turtle Offroad Park
Outdoor fanatics will love this 270-acre park in Bedford, Kentucky. This trail system offers many trails that accommodate all types of off-road vehicles, including ATVs, SXS, Buggys, and more. Besides, these off roading trails are great for all kinds of drivers regardless of their skill level.
To ride on this trail, you need a DOT approved helmet. Cabin rentals are also available to rent.
7. Earlington ATV Park
Both novices and experts can hone their skills in this 600 acres ATV Kentucky park with 10 miles of motorized trails. The park is home to the Loch Mary Lake, making it a great place to explore the outdoors as you take the adventure with your dirt bike or ATV.
Earlington ATV park opened in 2010 and sits between Hwy 112 and Hwy 1337 in Earlington, Kentucky. The location is convenient and family-friendly, so just get out your ATVs and dirt bikes and have some fun outdoors.
8. Redbird Crest Trails
This moderate loop trail is part of the Daniel Boone National Forest. It measures 34 miles and accommodates off-highway vehicle riders, mountain bikers, and horseback riders all year round. A large portion of the terrain is narrow, rough, and rugged and has an elevation gain of 2,451m.
This trail system provides riders with over 100 miles of motorized trails and three staging areas, each with a vault toilet. Most of the trail is a pure single track, which is 3 miles east after the Peabody Staging area. The trail makes a loop that starts and ends close to the Redbird District Office.
It also has two inner loops and a trail that connects it to a private vehicle campground. Each trailhead has a sign showing the type of use permitted.
This trail offers excellent adventure opportunities for campers. Additionally, it provides several activities like bird watching, mountain biking, nature trips, wildflowers, and walking dogs on leash. To ride here, you need a trail pass.
9. Blue Holler Offroad Park
Blue Holler Offroad Park is a large area with multiple trails to explore. If you’re looking for some ATV trails in Kentucky, this park is excellent for all skill levels. The park is located at Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, and it offers fantastic opportunities to see the sand dune cave and ride through it.
It sits on 1000 acres of land, featuring steep and chunky hills and narrow ATV trails. Jeep drivers can also show off their skills in the hard-packed jeep roads. The park allows primitive camping and has a restroom, shower facility, and food truck.
Although the 35 miles of trails are marked, they are lightly maintained. The terrain has a few large jumps and water crossings. You can also expect a few rocks, berms, and mud.
10. Mine Made Paradise Adventure Park
If you are looking for marked, rated, and looped ATV trails in KY, then you need to head out to Mine Made Paradise Adventure Park located on Highway 1098 Hindman, KY. This park opened in 2010 and has about 100 miles of trails for UTVs and ATVs. The property also has about 32 miles of trails for dirt bikes and features over 100 miles of trails for horseback riding.
The trails in this park accommodate riders of all skill levels. Trails marked green are for easy riders, blue trails for intermediate riders, and black trails for expert riders who are not afraid to take on a challenge.
Primitive or modern camping is permitted with trailheads offering a shower house, water, and electrical hookups. If you are up for some outdoor splendor, bring your camping gear and be treated to what this park has to offer.
11. Greasy Creek ATV Park
Greasy Creek ATV park sits on 400 acres of open land and offers various landscapes, including hills, mud bogs, and ponds. The terrain is best suited for ATV, UTV, and motocross bike riders. The motorized trails are mostly designed for riders of all skill levels, whether easy, intermediate, experienced or expert.
These off road trails in Kentucky are great for off road enthusiasts that love riding on hills and mud. Other than riding, this family-friendly park allows primitive camping and fishing. It also offers night riding for those who want more adventure.
The trails go through a scenic forest and offer opportunities to view elk along the Elk View Drive or the ATV Training Center & Campground. You can find Elk at sunrise and dusk.
12. Royal ATV Trails
The Royal ATV trails are among the best off road parks in KY that comprise miles of wooded trails, mud bogs, and two grassy drag strips. There’s also a motocross track and a small water crossing. This trail system is near Clarkson, KY, and sits on a privately owned/commercial land.
The 20 miles of trail is great for outdoor enthusiasts who are not afraid to ride on a few steep hills and rocks. The elevation is 700 to 850 feet. No permit is required to ride here, and riders can enjoy taking on the adventure from dawn to dusk. Plus, the park offers ATV rentals to riders.
Conclusion – Off Road Trails in Kentucky
So, what are the 12 best off road trails in Kentucky? To summarize, here they are again:
- Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area
- Rush Off-Road
- Turkey Bay OHV Area
- Daniel Boone ATV Trails
- Wilderness Trail-Off Road Park
- Dirty Turtle Offroad Park
- Earlington Loch Mary Lake ATV Park
- Redbird Crest Trails
- Blue Holler Offroad Park
- Mine Made Paradise Adventure Park
- Greasy Creek ATV Park
- Royal ATV Trails
Kentucky is, without doubt, an off-road fanatic paradise thanks to its adventurous terrain and trails. If you are looking to explore this state and have fun at the same time, head out to one of the above off road parks in Kentucky and make some memorable moments.
Kris is an avid off-roader and outdoor enthusiast who loves to brave the elements and take on challenging terrain. He also enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge with others so that they, too, can appreciate the ride.
About Kris