Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Barbourville, 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…
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…
Learn more about Mary's Wild Horse Trail

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…
Learn more about Wolf Knob

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…
Learn more about Sandlick 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…
Learn more about Dog Slaughter (FSR 195)

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…
Learn more about Curd Garden (FSR 193)

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…
Learn more about Dog Branch to Rooks Road

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…
Learn more about DBNF 4005

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…
Learn more about Ryans Mountain Road

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…
Learn more about Jellico Creek Road

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…
Learn more about Stephens Knob

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…
Learn more about Elk Viewing Tower Road - Trail 25

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".…
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.…
Learn more about Little Rock Road

Wood Creek Lake - FS 4094 trail is off of Cromer Ridge Road or Rockcastle River Forestry Road is a gravel, rock, and dirt trail road that is somewhat maintained by the forest service. This…
Learn more about Wood Creek Lake - FS 4094

This wooded, mountain road is an easy gravel bypass. The road takes you by the Wildcat Mountain Civil War monuments and battlefield. It's a very beautiful drive and full of history.
Learn more about Rockcastle Exploring River Bypass

This trail is on the very southern edge of the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway. It features a paved road surrounded by many open rural fields and a nice roadside waterfall. There is a muddy descent…
Learn more about Black Lick Rd - DBBB

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…
Learn more about Bear Creek Falls (5138)

Cromer Ridge Road or Rockcastle River Forestry Road is a gravel, rock, and dirt trail road that is somewhat maintained by the forest service. This road runs along some ridge lines with good views as…
Learn more about Cromer Ridge - 909

Main Forest Road runs from the entrance to Chuck Swan State Forest until it meets Forks of River Road, which will take you to the very end of this route. It's relatively smooth in comparison…
Learn more about Main Forest Road

This trail is a maintained gravel road that connects several other popular trails. At one end it connects to Trail 19, and at the other end, it connects to Trail 25. Trail 37 is also…
Learn more about McCormick Cemetery Road - Trail 24

This starts on either side as a gravel-maintained route and then transitions to a more rough and technical area, as parts of the route are unmaintained. Some spots become tight between small trees. There is…
Learn more about Pine Flat - Laurel Fork Road

This route traverses from the southern portions of Chuck Swan WMA to one of the more remote areas on the northern border. Along this route you'll find some easy but fun roads, a natural freshwater…
Learn more about Mossy Springs

This is a very well-maintained gravel road that includes a portion of the Kentucky Adventure Trail Main 1 Trail. This road is mostly gravel with a portion closer to Bear Gap Road being a little…
Learn more about Tussey Hill Road

The trail starts as a gravel route and turns into rock, dirt, and mud. It is not very technical, but when wet, the slick mud and small ruts may cause hazards in some areas. Crossing…
Learn more about White Oak Branch Road - Horse Lick Creek

This trail is another in the southern loop of the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway (DBBB). It is a very easy graveled forest service road that connects Highway 290 back north to McKee, Kentucky. It is…
Learn more about Mill Creek Road - DBBB

This route provides a bit more challenge and adrenaline than the majority of the roads in Chuck Swan WMA, but still keeps it well within the capabilities of most stock and slightly modified 4x4s. Along…
Learn more about Lost Creek & Clear Creek

This is an easy gravel road with some small mud holes, a rocky creek crossing, and some small rocky hills. It's a very good beginner trail that connects some of the trails to the main…
Learn more about JC Trail 3

This loop gives you a bit of everything there is to see in Chuck Swan WMA. This route is slightly rougher than Main Forest Rd, but still passable by capable 2WD vehicles except during the…
Learn more about Big Loop & Big Springs

This is a well-maintained gravel Forest Service road leading from S-tree Campground and connecting Tussey Hill Road. This trail leads along the top of the ridge and leads to a gated dead end. It is…
Learn more about Bear Gap Road (FSR 431)