Redbird Crest Trail

The Redbird Crest OHV Trail System is a 69-mile designated motorized loop in the Daniel Boone National Forest, threading through the Appalachian ridgelines of Clay and Leslie counties in southeastern Kentucky: county-seat communities of Manchester and Hyden anchor the corridor, with the trail connecting three primary trailheads across a landscape of mature second-growth hardwood forest, sandstone outcroppings, and the creek-bottom drainages that define the Red Bird River watershed. The 69-mile routing is one of the longer USFS OHV loop designations in the eastern United States, giving it a destination character beyond typical day-use trail parks: completing the full loop is a 2–3 day riding project depending on pace, and the three trailhead options at Bear Creek (off KY-66 in Clay County), Sugar Creek (Leslie County), and Peabody (Clay County) allow riders to plan route segments and shuttle logistics. The trail is designated multi-use, shared with hikers and equestrians, which sets a pace and noise-awareness expectation for OHV riders. No OHV-specific permit fee is required beyond the standard National Forest motorized trail access guidelines, which is unusual for a trail of this scale and quality. The system connects with the adjacent First Frontier trail network and is proximate to Mine Made Adventure Park, enabling combined multi-system itineraries. Contact the London Ranger District for current conditions (606-598-2192).