This Kentucky Mountain Town Offers A Chance To See Free-Roaming Horses Up Close
Wild horses wander the trails here, and you can drive right up to them in a side-by-side. They graze on old coal land that now holds one of the biggest off-road parks in Kentucky.
The horses aren’t the only locals with hooves, either. Elk and deer roam these mountains too.
I love that a morning trail ride can turn into a surprise wildlife show without any warning.
The whole place sits on 50,000 acres of Appalachian ridges, creeks, and overlooks. More than 250 miles of trails twist through it.
I can’t imagine running out of things to explore in a single weekend, and many riders clearly agree.
So how does a former coal company town become a playground for mud, views, and free-roaming horses? The answer is better than you might guess.
Those Famous Horses Might Walk Right Up To Your Ride
Horses, not traffic, cause the slowdowns here. At Leatherwood Off-Road Park, free-roaming horses graze across the old mountain land.
Riders often spot them along Trail 101, one of the main routes through the park. You can head out on your own and look for them during a self-guided ride.
Prefer someone else to do the hunting? The 8-hour guided tours from Leatherwood Off Rhodes Rentals make the horses a highlight of the day.
Of course, horses keep their own schedules. They don’t check the event calendar, so sightings are never a sure thing.
That uncertainty makes the moment better when it happens. A herd stepping out of the trees beats any billboard on the highway.
Keep your distance and let them stay wild. Turn off the engine, grab your camera, and enjoy the quiet for a minute.
The horses also share these hills with elk and deer. Kids especially seem to love that bonus round of wildlife watching.
Bring patience and a full camera battery. Pack snacks for yourself, not for the horses, since feeding wild animals can cause real problems for them.
Find it all at 11802 KY Highway 699 in Leatherwood, Kentucky. It sits near Slemp and Hazard.
Fifty Thousand Acres Means You Will Need Another Trip
Size matters out here, and the numbers are huge. The park covers about 50,000 acres of Appalachian Mountains in eastern Kentucky.
That land stretches across parts of four counties. Perry, Leslie, Letcher, and Harlan all claim a piece of the action.
More than 250 miles of trails run through the property. New routes keep getting added, so the map keeps growing.
It’s billed as the largest off-road destination in the state. With that much ground, a weekend feels more like a sampler platter than a full meal.
Trails range from easy and stock-friendly to tough and technical. Beginners can cruise gravel roads while experienced drivers tackle double black diamond runs.
That variety makes group trips easier. Nobody gets stuck watching while the rest of the crew has all the fun.
Vehicles of many kinds are welcome. You’ll see ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, Jeeps, and full-size 4×4 rigs sharing the mountain.
My advice is simple. Pick a few must-see spots, ride them well, and save the rest for next time.
You will almost certainly want a next time.
Old Coal Country Is Getting A Brand New Chapter
Back in 1944, Leatherwood started as a Blue Diamond coal company town. It once had housing, stores, and even a theater for its workers.
Coal shaped every corner of life here for decades. When mining faded, the town needed a new reason for people to visit.
Enter the trails. Leatherwood Off-Road Park officially opened in April 2023 on former coal mining land.
Owner Terry Roberts sees the park as a spark for the whole area. His goal is bringing people and business back to Leatherwood and nearby communities.
I like that idea a lot. Every visitor who fills a campsite or buys a snack helps a mountain town write its next chapter.
The land itself tells the story too. Old mining ground now carries riders to overlooks, creeks, and horse herds.
Community support shows up in fun ways. Some event weekends have featured live music and local food for sale.
So when you roll through the gates, you’re part of something bigger. That’s a pretty good bonus for a day of muddy tires.
The Views From Top Of The World Live Up To The Name
Some names oversell. Top of the World, a scenic stop on guided tours, does not appear to be one of them.
The park’s mountain scenery is a big draw. Expect vistas, rivers, valleys, and overlooks spread across the property.
Guided tours from Leatherwood Off Rhodes Rentals can head up to Top of the World for wide views. It’s the kind of spot where everyone suddenly gets quiet.
Then come the photo stops. Bear Rock and Jawbone Rock are popular places to pause for pictures.
Creek runs add a different flavor. Some tours splash past boulders and waterfalls tucked along the streams.
Fall color would be a treat up high, though timing depends on the season. Summer greens look pretty impressive too.
The Whispering Pines area also earns fans among riders. Its name alone makes me want to see it.
Bring a jacket for the higher spots, since mountain weather can shift quickly. Pack water and a phone or camera with plenty of storage.
Trust me, nobody wants to choose between one more photo and an empty battery at a perfect overlook.
No Rig? No Problem, Grab A Rental And Go
Plenty of people show up without a trailer full of toys. Leatherwood Off Rhodes Rentals solves that problem right on site.
The company rents UTVs for both self-guided and guided adventures. That means you can explore solo or let a guide handle the route.
Guided tours come in 4-hour or 8-hour options. The longer tour includes lunch, which is great news for hungry riders.
Helmets and goggles come with every rental. You won’t need to scramble for safety gear before heading out.
The 8-hour tour packs in a lot. Highlights can include the wild horses, Top of the World, creek runs, and rock photo stops.
Guides know where to go, which matters on a property this large. Getting lost is less fun when daylight starts fading.
Self-guided rentals suit confident drivers who like freedom. Just plan your route before leaving, since cell service can be spotty in these mountains.
First-timers may enjoy the guided route most. You get the greatest hits without the map stress, and someone else answers the classic question of whether this is the right turn.
Your Phone Becomes The Best Trail Guide In The Mountains
Two hundred fifty miles of trails sounds amazing until you miss a turn. Thankfully, Leatherwood Off-Road Park teamed up with onX Offroad.
The park’s trails are mapped inside the onX Offroad app. Each route is color-coded by difficulty, which makes planning much easier.
Green-light days and challenge days can both start with a quick map check. Pick trails that match your vehicle and your nerves.
Here’s a smart move. Download your maps before you arrive, because phone signal can be weak or missing in these hollows.
Staff at check-in can also help point you toward must-see spots. Asking a few questions up front can save a lot of backtracking later.
Trails are marked at their starting points. Still, it’s wise to keep the app open so you know where you are.
Groups should agree on a meeting place too. Radios can help when phones can’t connect.
Good planning keeps the fun rolling. Nobody brags about the two hours spent circling the same ridge, unless the wild horses happened to show up during the detour.
Cabins With Full Kitchens Make Staying Overnight Easy
After a long ride, a real bed sounds wonderful. The park offers several house rentals and cabins for exactly that moment.
Choices include Mill’s House, Creekside 1 and 2, and the Wildcat Cabins. Each one comes with a full kitchen.
That means a refrigerator, stove and oven, dishwasher, and microwave. You also get a toaster, coffee pot, cookware, and dishes.
Comfort extras are covered too. Wi-Fi, TV, heat, air conditioning, and linens all come included.
Some spots add covered patios or porches. Gas grills and fire rings turn evenings into easy cookouts.
Parking is a big perk for off-road crews. There’s room for multiple rigs, plus quick access to the trails.
Campers have options as well. Primitive and self-contained sites, premium tent sites with electric, and full hookup RV sites are available near the Wildcat Cabins.
A bathhouse sits behind the general store with a four-stall bathroom and shower trailer. Water for tank fill-ups is there too.
Free wireless internet is available on site. So yes, you can post your horse photos the same night.
Forgot Ice? The General Store Has Your Back
Every trip has that one forgotten item. At the on-site general store, the odds of rescue are pretty good.
Shelves hold apparel, gifts, cold drinks, and snacks. You’ll also find gear, firewood, and ice for the cooler.
The store keeps things family-friendly. No alcohol or tobacco products are sold there.
Souvenir shoppers should take a peek. A park shirt makes a fine trophy after conquering a tough trail.
Fuel is a different story. Gas stations sit a bit of a drive away, so fill your tanks before heading in.
Stock up on bigger supplies before you arrive too. Groceries for cabin meals are easier to grab in town on the way.
Permits are required for entry, so plan that step early. Check-in is also a handy time to ask about trail conditions.
The main entrance features a tunnel that’s 14 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Larger rigs can use an alternate route.
The Event Calendar Stays Busier Than A Muddy Wash Bay
Spring Kickoff Ride gets the season rolling. After that, the schedule at Leatherwood Off-Road Park rarely sits still.
Trailfest brings big crowds of off-road fans. Ultra4 racing, including Ultra4 Nationals, adds serious speed and rock-crawling drama.
Holidays get their own celebrations. Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day all appear on the calendar.
Jeep owners can circle the Jeep Summer Showdown. It’s a natural fit for a park built for climbing rocks and splashing creeks.
Fall brings something spooky. The Haunted Trail Ride turns familiar paths into a little more of an adventure after dark.
Then winter sparkles. The Christmas Light Ride gives riders a festive reason to bundle up.
Events can fill lodging quickly, so book early if you have a date in mind. Quieter weekends may suit horse watchers who want calmer trails.
Either way, Kentucky has found a fun way to celebrate its mountains. Pick an event, gather your crew, and see what the old coal hills have planned next.
