Four-wheeling in Kentucky

By Chris Erwin

Over the last 20 years, a love for ATVs has been growing at a steady pace in Kentucky. With it, a host of public and private trails have sprung up all over the state. If you are into riding your ATV, you may be pleased to know they are a lot of places where you can enjoy the sport.

The term ATV covers a large group of machines from single passenger to multi-passenger vehicles. Both public and private locations have their own rules and you should be aware of each set of rules for each location.

I will list some of the locations that are open year-round and a little about them. You should check ahead to make sure they are open and where you need to buy your pass or pay for the park entry.

For the last 20 years, I have been a fan of All-Terrain Vehicles. It started when I discovered the advantage of using them while deer hunting. However, it wasn’t long that riding became a sport all of its own, and I have been hooked ever since.

ATVs come in as many variations as a box of crayons. I personally like the utility models. While the 250cc engine size is large enough to get you around, the 300 to 700cc group enjoys the largest fan base. They come in both standard and automatic transmission with two wheel or four-wheel drive. You can equip them with a laundry list of accessories including GPS, winches and just about anything else you can think of. Many of the GPS units are equipped with detailed maps to help you navigate even the most remote locations.

I like to ride year-round but my favorite time to ride is fall and early winter. During this time of the year, the leaves are off the trees and the view from hill to hill is easy to see. Coupled with my camera, it’s the perfect time to get great pictures of both game and the landscape.

This time of the year you need to dress for the temperature and make sure you have a warm pair of gloves. Nothing is worse than freezing hands. Even on moderate days, your hands can get cold quick since most ATV’s require you to use your hands for the gas feed.

Here is a short list of places you can ride year-round:

‰Daniel Boone ATV Trails in Hyden, Ky.

There are hundreds of miles of trails to ride here. Some of the trails are for motocross and unsuitable for ATVs. However, there are single trails that are over a hundred miles long. Camping is available. A day pass is $7, while a three day pass is $15.  An annual pass is available for $40. The park also has areas for Elk viewing and much more.

‰ Gulf Ridge OHV Route in Somerset, Ky.

This is also in a national forest, and the same rules apply. Camping is free, and the riding trails are open year-round. This area is located in the London Ranger District. Call (606) 864-4163 for more information.

‰ Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area in Harlan County, Ky.

This area requires a permit but is open year-round. Call 606-837-3205 for more information. Camping and an RV Park are also available.

‰ Turkey Bay in Cadiz, Ky.

This area is located near Kentucky Lake and is a public area. Call (270) 924-2000 for more information and to get access requirements. RV and cabins are available.

They are many other off-road and ATV parks around. Some are private, commercial parks that you can visit. A quick check online will help find the park or trail of your choice. A fun family sport open year-round is waiting for you to explore!