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Western Kentucky Trails

Off Highway Vehicles and All Terrain Vehicle Trails

TURKEY BAY OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE AREA

Ready to ride? Explore the trails in Turkey Bay, Land Between The Lakes' designated off-highway vehicle area. Pitch a tent in the camping area and get a good night's rest under the stars. You'll need it the next day to ride the many miles of exciting trails. Turkey Bay has approximately 100 miles of OHV trails which cover a variety of terrain, offering something for every skill level. Flat meadows, rolling hills and rocky plateaus await the adventuresome!

Click here for downloadable map

COPPERHEAD ATV PARK

Copperhead Run is a 600-acre ATV ride park located just outside of Salem, Kentucky. This is a family friendly place to come and ride your ATV, Side by Side or Motocross bike. We have several miles of trails open and will be working to open more as the weather permits. This park has lots of hills from easy to moderate and we have plenty of MUD for those who want to play in it! Please visitn our website here!

LINTON ATV RIDING AREA

The Corps of Engineers allowa ATV traffic in a thousand-acre property that adjoins Lake Barkley. Parking for this area is easily accessible from KY 164 near Linton.

Hiking

LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES

More than 200 miles of trails and abandoned roads meander through Land Between The Lakes backwoods, fields and alongside peaceful lakeshores. Catch a glimpse of native wildlife. Walk in the footsteps of General Grant. Sleep under the stars...

NORTH/SOUTH TRAIL: Take the grand tour! This trail spans the entire length of LBL and ranges from rugged, hilly terrain in the north to more smooth hiking in the south. Portions are accessible from The Trace for those wishing to hike a section of the trail. Length: 65 miles. Rating: Moderate to strenuous. 200-foot elevation change.

FORT HENRY NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL: Located in the south end of LBL, Fort Henry is a system of 10 connecting trails totaling 26 miles. The trail follows closely the route of General Grant's troop movements from Fort Henry to Fort Donelson during the Civil War. Length: 26 miles. Rating: Moderate. 100-foot elevation change.

CANAL LOOP TRAIL: In the north end, this series of connecting trails provides walks ranging from 1.5 miles to 14 miles. One of the most popular trails, because it offers spectacular lake views and the opportunity for short walks. Length: 14 miles. Rating: Easy to Moderate. 80-foot elevation change.

Click for downloadable trail maps

MORE HIKING OPPORTUNITIES

All of the state parks and most of the western Kentucky communities have walking/hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Enjoy a walk through the woods at Exit 31 off I-24 or a leisurely stroll around OAK GROVE’S WAR MEMORIAL WALKING TRAIL. The War Memorial Walking Trail pays homage to the veterans of each United States’ war from the French and Indian War through Desert Storm – a great way to stretch your legs at Exit 86 off I-24.

STATE PARK HIKING TRAILS

Kenlake State Resort Park-Kenlake has two nature trails through wooded terrain, that may be hiked singularly or combined for longer distance. The Cherokee Trail is .7-mile and the Chickasaw Trail is 1-mile.

Lake Barkley State Resort Park-Enjoy the beauty surrounding Lake Barkley on one of three self-guiding trails, providing 9 miles of nature study. Seven miles are open for mountain biking.

Mineral Mound State Park-Hiking trails through the 541 acres of Mineral Mound are being developed. Look for signage on the park.

Horseback Riding

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park Riding Stables-Located on US 62 at the south end of the park, this stable is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Enjoy the trails near Kentucky Lake. .

Wrangler's Campground and Riding Stables at LBL-Campers can spend the night or the week at the campground, while horseback riding the area's 70-plus mile trail system. Shelters are available for guests and their horses along with showers, facilities, vending, a store and much more. *Permits, fees, & regulations apply. Trail guide services and Pony rides are offered at the Riding Stables. Call for campground information and for Riding Stable information.

Click here for downloadable map

Biking

LBL has many miles of old logging roads and scenic backroads perfect for mountain biking and cycling. On the north end of LBL there are two extensive mountain bike trails suitable for various skill levels. When you visit LBL, pick up a map at any of their 3 Welcome Stations. or .

CYCLING-Numerous paved roads meander through LBL. Start at The Trace and explore! Winding roads travel across rolling hillsides and alongside meadows; many lead into quiet lakefront bays.

MOUNTAIN BIKING-Land Between the Lakes offers some excellent and virtually undiscovered opportunities for mountain biking.

HIGHWAY BICYCLE ROUTES

A portion of the TransAmerica Bike Trail runs through western Kentucky. The other designated highway routes are Midland Kentucky Tour, Ramblin’ River Tour, Southern Lakes Tour and the Mississippi River Trail. All were designated by cycling experts and are along less-traveled roads. These routes are suggested only as being more suitable than others for biking. (Note: Bicycling on interstate or parkway highways is forbidden.) Use these trails to travel throughout western Kentucky and see a scenic cross-section of the diverse land.

TRANSAMERICA BIKE TRAIL-The TransAmerica Bike Trail was designated as part of our country’s 1976 bicentennial celebration. Six hundred miles of this coast-to-coast trail go through Kentucky. A short piece in western Kentucky provides the link from Cave-In-Rock ferry on the Ohio River to the rest of Kentucky.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAIL-This 7-state bike route offers over 1,000 miles of bicycling adventure. The 65-mile Kentucky portion of the Mississippi River Trail begins at the bridge connecting Cairo, IL with Wickliffe, KY and continues south to the Tennessee state line. The first 5 miles has narrow bridges with fairly heavy traffic. The remainder is over flat to gently rolling country roads with very light traffic. Much of the route is designated a Scenic Byway.

RAMBLIN’ RIVER TOUR-This tour begins at the Mississippi River in Hickman and continues north to the Ohio River and then turns east along the Ohio River. Part of this tour runs concurrent with the Mississippi River Trail.

SOUTHERN LAKES TOUR-This tour also begins at the Mississippi River in Hickman. It travels east roughly parallel to Tennessee all through western Kentucky. Land Between The Lakes, Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley are highlights of this tour.

MIDLAND KENTUCKY TOUR-This tour begins in Land Between The Lakes and travels northeast to the Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park before continuing through the rest of midland Kentucky.

Click here for downloadable highway bike routes

Download and enjoy our 56 page travel guide to everything in Western Kentucky. You'll find all area attractions, lodging, camping, fishing and hunting information, golf and so much more. You can view online or we will be happy to mail you one.

Download the Kentucky's Western Waterland Tour Guide

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO TODAY? Go antique shopping? Golfing? Hiking? Visit a museum? Go boating or fishing? You and your family can do ALL of this and so much MORE in Western Kentucky! Click to plan your next destination adventure!