Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Artemus, Kentucky

This trail intersects with 16 Creeks trail and runs out a long stretch of high ridges with some excellent views of the surrounding area. The east side of the trail goes to several cell/radio towers that allow you to look over the town of Middlesboro and even see the tunnels at Cumberland Gap into Te...
Learn more about High Ridge Towers

This is a gravel/dirt road uphill to a large open field with roads. The property includes open range horses and cattle, and there are lots of side trails to adventure onto. The trail can be reached off Highway 221 in Pineville, Kentucky. There's a railroad crossing as well as old gas wells on the pr...
Learn more about Mary's Wild Horse Trail

One of the best waterfall hikes in Kentucky lies along this well-maintained gravel forest road. Dog Slaughter Tail connects to Cumberland Falls Trail, with a great view coming along the bottom of the falls towards the State Park. There is a very heavy vehicle presence all along this road for hiking...
Learn more about Dog Slaughter (FSR 195)

The Sandlick Trail is an easy trail ride that navigates through thick Tennessee mountain laurel, crosses several small streams along the way, and has a beautiful waterfall called No Business. This trail is one of the biggest feeder trails in the Tackett Creek area, with several trails branching off ...
Learn more about Sandlick Trail

This is a scenic and well-maintained Forest Service road that is also a part of the Kentucky Adventure Trail Main 2 Route. This road leads south of the Laurel Lake area and into some of the great waterfall hikes around the Cumberland Falls area. It's an absolutely gorgeous area any time of the year.
Learn more about Curd Garden (FSR 193)

Wolf Knob is an 8.2 mile out and back trail that ends at a closed forest service gate with a grassy road extending a ways beyond it. There is one nice campsite close to the eastern terminus in the shadow of a large rock overhang. This site has room for several trucks and/or tents. At this campsite, ...
Learn more about Wolf Knob

4005 is a mostly well-maintained Forest Service road, with large gravel for around three quarters of the road. Past that is a less-maintained but in good condition dirt trail. Access to 4005A is at the end of this trail. It would appear that some small cabins are being built towards the end of the r...
Learn more about DBNF 4005

Jellico Creek Road, aka Rock Creek Road, connects to Angel Mountain Road and Little Rock Road to the west and then transitions to pavement to the east. Along the 2.75 mile route, you'll find several creekside campsites. During holiday weekends they can be very popular so be prepared for the possibil...
Learn more about Jellico Creek Road

This road starts as a gravel road and leads to Rooks Road, which is slightly tighter. Part of the Scenic Kentucky Adventure Trail Main Section 2, this road has a beautiful waterfall to see, a pair of natural arches, and a shallow creek crossing. This portion of the KAT really offers a lot of beautif...
Learn more about Dog Branch to Rooks Road

Angel Mountain Road is a short out and back that intersects with Jellico Creek Road and Little Rock Road. Along the route, you'll find several small rock overhangs and outcroppings, locally known as "rock houses". At the top of the road, a short steep embankment leads to a small dirt road that conti...
Learn more about Angel Mountain

Little Rock Road connects Stephens Knob Road with Jellico Creek and Angel Mountain. The northern portion is mostly gravel and better maintained the southern portion where you'll find a few water crossings and rocky sections. Along this road, there are a few waterfalls accessible by either walking al...
Learn more about Little Rock Road

Stone Gap Road is a graveled county road that runs through the Daniel Boone National Forest. There isn't anything on this route as far as obstacles. You will find shallow ruts and mud holes less than six inches deep. It follows along a dried-up creek bed that is fed when it rains.
Learn more about Stone Gap Road

Ryans Mountain Road is a well-maintained gravel route that's two vehicles wide for the majority of its nearly six-mile length. It climbs from Kentucky State Highway 1470 before dropping back down from the ridgeline in the last mile or so. Unfortunately, there are only a few small pull-offs along the...
Learn more about Ryans Mountain Road

Little Shepherd is an unpaved route from Harlan KY to Cumberland KY. This route rides across a mountain ridge giving you wonderful views of the surrounding areas. There are multiple pull-offs that function as overlooks to take in the scenery. This trail is stock 4x4 capable, but keep an eye out for ...
Learn more about Little Shepherd

This is a semi-maintained county road that takes you along a nice creek ride. In some areas, you may encounter natural and loose terrain. There is plenty of space to pass along this route as well. There are a couple of washouts that may require some extra caution when crossing. Very pretty ride
Learn more about Wagoners Branch Road

This is a well-maintained gravel road that goes from Highway 25W to the elk viewing tower at Hatfield Knob. There are several viewing areas and lookouts on the way up as well, so keep an eye out for elk and deer. September is the best time to view elk, as they tend to gather into large herds during ...
Learn more about Elk Viewing Tower Road - Trail 25

Stephens Knob is relatively unassuming for the majority of its 7.7-mile length. It's a very well-maintained gravel road. During the winter, nice views are available off of the north side. There's a split at the end of the gravel, and both options lead back to a small grassy campsite. Cell service is...
Learn more about Stephens Knob

Newfound Road is a nine-mile country gravel road that runs along the south fork of the Kentucky River. Most of the trail, you can find room for passing; however, there are some stretches that are very narrow, and passing is impossible. You won't find much more than shallow mud puddles along this tra...
Learn more about Newfound Road

Access to a beautiful waterfall into the Rockcastle River. Characteristics of an old Forest Service Road. Large gravel, dirt, and shallow water crossings. Some washouts around one foot deep. Beautiful drive through a less-trafficked area of Daniel Boone National Forest. There is a possibility of dow...
Learn more about Bear Creek Falls (5138)

The majority of this trail is flat (the flattest in the park) with some shallow water/mud holes with solid bottoms. The terrain is small gravel-like rock mixed with softball-sized rocks. This drive is very picturesque, especially at the top, with a nice view from 2800 feet of elevation. You will fin...
Learn more about 36

This trail intersects with 16 Creeks trail and runs out a long stretch of high ridges with some excellent views of the surrounding area. The east side of the trail goes to several cell/radio towers that allow you to look over the town of Middlesboro and even see the tunnels at Cumberland Gap into Te...
Learn more about High Ridge Towers

This is a gravel/dirt road uphill to a large open field with roads. The property includes open range horses and cattle, and there are lots of side trails to adventure onto. The trail can be reached off Highway 221 in Pineville, Kentucky. There's a railroad crossing as well as old gas wells on the pr...
Learn more about Mary's Wild Horse Trail

The Sandlick Trail is an easy trail ride that navigates through thick Tennessee mountain laurel, crosses several small streams along the way, and has a beautiful waterfall called No Business. This trail is one of the biggest feeder trails in the Tackett Creek area, with several trails branching off ...
Learn more about Sandlick Trail

Stone Gap Road is a graveled county road that runs through the Daniel Boone National Forest. There isn't anything on this route as far as obstacles. You will find shallow ruts and mud holes less than six inches deep. It follows along a dried-up creek bed that is fed when it rains.
Learn more about Stone Gap Road

This trail intersects with 16 Creeks trail and runs out a long stretch of high ridges with some excellent views of the surrounding area. The east side of the trail goes to several cell/radio towers that allow you to look over the town of Middlesboro and even see the tunnels at Cumberland Gap into Te...
Learn more about High Ridge Towers

This is a gravel/dirt road uphill to a large open field with roads. The property includes open range horses and cattle, and there are lots of side trails to adventure onto. The trail can be reached off Highway 221 in Pineville, Kentucky. There's a railroad crossing as well as old gas wells on the pr...
Learn more about Mary's Wild Horse Trail

The Sandlick Trail is an easy trail ride that navigates through thick Tennessee mountain laurel, crosses several small streams along the way, and has a beautiful waterfall called No Business. This trail is one of the biggest feeder trails in the Tackett Creek area, with several trails branching off ...
Learn more about Sandlick Trail

This road starts as a gravel road and leads to Rooks Road, which is slightly tighter. Part of the Scenic Kentucky Adventure Trail Main Section 2, this road has a beautiful waterfall to see, a pair of natural arches, and a shallow creek crossing. This portion of the KAT really offers a lot of beautif...
Learn more about Dog Branch to Rooks Road