Kentucky is known for its rolling hills, beautiful mountains, and some pretty awesome off-road trails. There are plenty of well-known places to ride, but one of the newer parks deserves a little extra attention—Leatherwood Off Road Park in Perry County, Kentucky.
It opened in 2023 and with around 250 miles of trails spread across 50,000 acres, so this place has a little bit of everything. We’re talking rocky climbs, muddy trails, wooded paths, and some seriously stunning mountain views. You can even come across waterfalls and other beautiful scenery.
Here’s something pretty crazy: they’ve only mapped out around 30% of the trails so far. They’re continuing to map out and create more trails, which means there’s even more to look forward to as the park grows.
Of course when we heard about this park we had to check it out for ourselves. We loaded up our machines, packed our gear, and headed to Leatherwood to see what all the excitement was about. Now, we’re giving you the rundown on what makes this park worth visiting, plus a few SuperATV upgrades you’ll want before hitting the trails.
Let’s just start by saying the size of this place is pretty ridiculous. Fifty thousand acres is a lot of ground to explore, and with roughly 250 miles of trails, you won’t have to worry about running out of places to ride anytime soon. It’s the perfect place for a long weekend trip.
That being said—it’s not just the size that makes Leatherwood worth checking out. One of the coolest things about this park is the variety of terrain. You don’t have to show up with an extremely modified machine to have a good time.
Something that really stood out to us was how well Leatherwood maintains its main trails. We’ve been to plenty of parks where the trails are so torn up that even getting to the good stuff can be a challenge. Surprisingly, that wasn’t the case here. As Braden said during our tour, “One thing that you don’t see at a lot of parks is how well the trails are groomed.”
We even had a stock RZR XP 1000 riding with us, and it was handling the main trails just fine. That’s a pretty big deal if you’re bringing along riders who aren’t running super modified machines. And of course there are also more technical areas for riders who want to put their skills to the test.
You’ll find everything from wooded paths and mountain climbs to rocky sections and muddy terrain. Plus, you’re riding through some insanely beautiful Appalachian scenery. It’s the kind of place where you can spend part of your day taking in the views and the rest seeing what your machine can handle.
If you’ve got a mixed group of riders with different experience levels, that’s another reason to put Leatherwood on your list. They have something for everyone.
With 250 miles of trails, it can be pretty overwhelming to figure out where to start. Luckily, there’s something for just about everyone. Whether you’re looking for an easy cruise through the mountains or a rocky climb that’ll really test your machine—they’ve got it all.
Thanks to Terry from Leatherwood and Jacob from Off Rhodes Rental, we got a pretty good tour of the park to give you some insight. Here are some trails worth checking out. This includes a couple that gave our team a run for our money.
If you’re looking for something that’ll put your driving skills to the test, Bleepin’ Jeep’s is a good place to start. We tackled this trail on our second day at Leatherwood, and it didn’t take long for things to get spicy.
We pushed our machines hard when we were navigating through this rocky terrain. Hard enough to blow a transmission. So, be aware that this definitely isn’t a beginners trail. You want to make sure your rig is properly prepared.
For a technical, rocky climb like Bleepin’ Jeep’s, we’d recommend upgrading to GDP Portals. They give you extra ground clearance at the hubs to help you get over large rocks without getting hung up. Plus, the gear reduction gives you more torque to your wheels so you get better control when tackling steep, technical climbs.
Rattler Ridge was another trail that kept us on our toes. It’s packed full of large rocks and steep climbs, so it’s perfect for riders who want to test their skills. We definitely don’t recommend this trail for beginners.
We started tackling one of the first obstacles, but after backing off, we noticed a clicking noise coming from our machine. At first we thought it might be an axle, but once we got moving again, we realized the carrier bearing was completely shot.
When you’re pushing your machine to the limit, you want to make sure you have parts that can withstand the abuse. Upgraded driveline parts are always a smart enhancement to make so that you don’t end up stranded. Whether it’s a new prop shaft or carrier bearing, you’ll want to beef up what you have.
We didn’t have the time to experience the Who’s Your Daddy trail, but it’s very well known in the area. It’s rated a black diamond by onX Offroad and has areas with steep climbs, large rocks, and a challenging rock ledge. It’s a double black diamond trail that is made for experienced riders with properly beefed up machines. While it’s a relatively short trail, it’ll definitely put your driving skills and your machine to the test.
The trail kicks off with a rock garden that winds through the trees before sending you up a seriously steep climb. About halfway through, you’ll encounter a rocky ledge where maintaining momentum is important. You’ll also need to watch out for a washed out section. You’re in for a serious challenge with this trail.
If you’re not sure where to start with a beefier build to handle this kind of technical terrain, a long travel kit is the way to go. You’ll get better articulation, more traction, better stability, and more control. You can also try a lift kit, but that just gives you more ground clearance to move over obstacles.
Not every trail at Leatherwood has to be an intense rock crawling adventure. If you’re looking for something a little more laid back, Trail 206 is a great option. It’s another trail we didn’t get to explore, but is noteworthy because it has old oil and active oil and gas infrastructures.
With this trail, you get a different look than most. It’s generally well maintained and easy to navigate, but you might come across a few washed out sections and ruts along the way. It’s perfect for beginners or riders who just want to take things easy.
When you’re riding on dirt trails, windshields are an upgrade you’ll want before you go. They help keep out dust, wind, and other debris. For ultimate versatility to enjoy an open-air feel, a light breeze, or to shut everything out, a flip windshield is the way to go. Don’t forget a rear windshield when you’re ordering a front so you can avoid that annoying suction that will pull in all of the dust and dirt into your cab.
If you’re looking to cover some ground without getting into anything too crazy, Trail 107 is worth checking out. This route takes you through dirt and gravel roads with a few shallow mud holes for some extra fun.
You’ll also get some pretty awesome views along the way. Just watch out for the narrower sections where the trees and brush get a little close. Parts of the trail are only wide enough for one machine, although there are places to pull over and let other riders pass, so just be aware of other machines coming and going.
Regardless of how rowdy you do or don’t get in your rig, extra protection is always a good thing to have—especially when you’re navigating through tight spots. That’s where nerf bars come in. They help protect your vehicle’s sides from rocks, trees, and other obstacles that might get a little too close for comfort. Plus, they give your ride a cooler look.
Don’t let the short distances fool you. Trails 105A and 105B can give you two very different riding experiences. Trail 105A takes you into a steep, rocky climb where traction is everything. You’ll want to be comfortable navigating loose rocks and steeper inclines before giving this one a shot.
Trail 105B is rated easier, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely flat. You’ll still encounter steep sections as you climb or descend, depending on which direction you’re traveling. Luckily, neither are so difficult that you need a heavily modified rig to tackle them.
If you’re planning to take on rocky climbs, we recommend upgrading your A-arms. Beefed up A-arms are always good to have because you never know how rough the ride will get when you’re dealing with rocky areas, so you need suspension that can take a beating.
With a name like Pick Your Poison, you can assume this isn’t a trail you’d want to tackle without knowing what you’re getting into. If you’re looking to push your machine and your driving skills, this is one to ask about when you arrive at Leatherwood.
This trail is one for the books. It scores a 10/10 on difficulty and for good reason. This trail doesn’t waste any time throwing obstacles your way. Right from the start, you’ll face a challenging gatekeeper obstacle that gives you a pretty good idea of what you’re getting yourself into.
It honestly doesn’t get much easier from there. The climb is incredibly steep, and once you get started, turning around is nearly impossible, so it’s best to power through. You’ll want large tires, front and rear lockers, recovery gear, and an experienced spotter before attempting this one. We recommend checking with the park about conditions of the trail before taking it on.
As stated above, a winch is something you cannot go without when you’re hitting Pick Your Poison. Luckily, there are plenty of trees along the trail for recovery anchor points. When you’re facing a climb this steep, having a reliable winch could be the difference between making it through and getting really stuck. You’ll also want to invest in some really good tires for serious traction.
We weren’t about to show up to Leatherwood unprepared. Before hitting the road, we got our machines squared up and loaded on the trailer with everything we’d need for the trip. We brought along a Polaris Xpedition with a long-travel kit and 4″ GDP Portals, a RZR XP with a long-travel kit, and a RZR Turbo S 4. To top it all off, of course we had to throw on some Cliffhanger Tires.
After a four and a half hour drive from Madison, Indiana and a quick stop to rearrange the trailer, we finally made it to Slemp, Kentucky. We settled into our cabin and got ready for a full weekend of riding.
We met up with Terry from Leatherwood Off Road Park, Jacob Roads from Off Rhodes Rental, and the Off-Road Odyssey crew for a tour of the trails. As Braden said, “We’ve done some higher speed trails. We’ve done some rock crawling. There’s some low spots where we can get into some water. And of course, it’s just beautiful scenery—especially this time of year.”
Here’s something else we love about Leatherwood. You don’t even need to own a machine to enjoy it. Thanks to Off Rhodes Rental, you don’t have to bring your own. You can rent one for as long as you need it.
If we’ve convinced you to add Leatherwood to your riding list, there are a few things you’ll want to know before heading out.
First, give yourself plenty of time to explore. With so many trails to choose from, this isn’t the kind of park you’ll want to rush through in a couple of hours. Leatherwood also offers riding permits, and you’ll want to check the park’s current prices, rules, and operating information before your visit.
And don’t forget to pack the essentials. Bring plenty of water, snacks, spare parts, recovery gear, and anything else you might need out on the trails.
If you’re still not completely sold or you have more questions, you can find more information about the park, permits, and upcoming events on the Leatherwood Off Road Park website. And if you don’t think your machine is ready, or you just want to make some enhancements, check out SuperATV for all your parts and accessories to get you ready to go.
