Public Land in Kentucky Where You Can Spend the Summer Off-Roading

Some of my fondest memories from childhood happened in four-wheel-drive vehicles in southern New Mexico and not on any public road or highway.

It was nothing for my cousins or uncles to just drive right off the road and drive across rugged terrain and through shallow creeks. That was the only time I ever got to do anything like that when I was young, and it was a blast. However, my most recent visits out West (in 2015 and 2016) revealed that much of that public land we used to enjoy is no longer public.

Public Land for Off-Roading in Kentucky

But you know what? That does not mean you can't find terrain where you can relive your youth or create new memories. We have a lot of ATV lovers in Kentucky, and it's fortunate they have opportunities to do what we used to do back in the day. And here are some spots where they can just take off and enjoy the day.

Rush Off-Road

Considering getting a "rush" is probably 90% of why people go off-roading, it's appropriate that this 7,000-acre off-road park is in Rush, Kentucky. They couldn't have planned it any better.

Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway

I feel certain Daniel Boone would have a four-wheel drive vehicle, ATV, or some reasonable facsimile, if he was alive today. He just seemed like the type. His namesake Backcountry Byway is for the Jeep Wranglers, Ford Broncos, and Chevy Trailblazers of the world. You'll want to have them in perfect working condition once you see these trails that will take you through the beautiful Daniel Boone National Forest.

Turkey Bay OHV Area - Land Between the Lakes

How much time do you have? Hopefully, plenty. There are so many ways to have fun at LBL that don't include off-roading. Now, add Turkey Bay to the itinerary and suddenly you'll need to hang out at the lake even longer than you had planned. What a shame, right? (There are permit fees and a liability waiver form, but that's to be expected.)

Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area

Visiting the highest point in Kentucky would be exciting enough, but throw in exciting trails for your off-road vehicle, and you have a weekend or week you'll never forget. By the way, Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area comes in three levels of difficulty...easy, moderate, and extreme.

Have a great summer, stay safe, enjoy the wilderness, and, by all mean, stay "off the road."