Black Mountain Off-Road

Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure Area occupies 7,000 acres, 11 square miles, of former surface-mining and logging terrain in Harlan County, Kentucky, on the Virginia border, rising from 1,180 feet at the valley floor to 3,321 feet at the summit of Black Mountain itself, the highest point in Kentucky. The elevation range creates a riding experience unlike any other in the state: the lower trail sections at valley grade move through reclaimed bench road corridors with the industrial-archaeological character of Harlan County's coal heritage, while the upper routes climb through mature hardwood and mixed-conifer forest to ridgeline terrain with panoramic views across the Virginia and Tennessee mountains. The 150+ miles of trail cover the full difficulty spectrum from easy access routes to extreme sections where a winch, high-clearance suspension, and significant technical skill are prerequisites, a range justified by the scale of terrain the 7,000 acres contains. The park is operated by the Harlan County Outdoor Recreation Board Authority with a mandatory permit system. ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, registered Jeeps and SUVs, and unregistered 4x4s are all permitted on appropriate routes. Two trailheads serve the park: Evarts Trailhead on the south and Putney Trailhead on the north. Camping runs $20/night for tents and $30/night for RVs. An 11-line zipline canopy tour operates as a complementary attraction. Store hours Sunday through Thursday 8am–4:30pm, Friday–Saturday 8am–8pm (606-837-3205).