Riding

We have miles and miles of trails, roads, and paths for riders of all persuasions. Bring your horse or your hawg and come get muddy with us!

McCreary County is home to plenty of trails for biking. 

Rock Creek Loop – John Muir – Chestnut Ridge Trails

Segments of the Rock Creek Loop Trail, the John Muir Trail, and the Chestnut Ridge Trail in the northwest corner of the Big South Fork form a network of rides of varying length and skill levels Combine trail segments for an out-and-back 18-mile ride to the scenic John Muir Overlook of shorter combination of loop and out-and-back rides. To access the area, take Highway 154 north from the junction with Highway 297 between the western park boundary and Jamestown. In 1.8 miles turn right onto Divide Road.

To ride the Rock Creek Loop Trail, follow Divide Road for 4.4 miles and turn left on the road to Hattie Blevins Cemetery. See the map below. The road ends after 2.9 miles at the cemetery. Park there and start riding to the north on the Rock Creek Loop Trail. The first mile of the trail is flat and follows an old road bed. After a sharp right turn, the trail narrows and descends into a ravine to cross Massey Branch. Portions of this descent and the ascent after crossing the creek are steep with sharp turns and switchbacks. Be prepared to walk your bike. The Rock Creek Loop Trail intersects the John Muir Trail at Massey Branch. Dismount and walk your bike across the narrow bridge to the right. The left fork at the bridge is the continuation of the Rock Creek Loop Trail. This section, closed to bicycles, follows the former route of the Stearns Logging Railroad along Massey Branch. It is very scenic and well worth hiking.

After crossing Massey Branch, the John Muir Trail climbs out of the gorge and in half a mile crosses Divide Road. This trail crossing is well marked. The small parking area at this well-marked trail crossing, which can be used as a trailhead for riders planning a shorter, flatter ride.

The 7.4-mile segment of the John Muir Trail from Divide Road to John Muir Overlook is open to mountain bikes. It is mostly flat to rolling, passes several small rockhouses, and crosses several small creeks. Be prepared to dismount and walk your bike across the low, narrow wooden footbridges which are extremely slippery when wet. Practice your cyclocross bike carry on the wooded latter about 2 miles from Divide Road. The trail crosses a variety of maturing hardwood forests, hemlock groves along the creeks, and extensive areas of younger mixed forest recovering after extensive tornado damage in the 1970s and more recent fire and pine beetle damage. A few short stretches of the trail cross lichen-covered sandstone.

After about 6 miles, the John Muir Trail intersects with the Chestnut Ridge Trail. In another mile, the trail starts climbing a narrow knife ridge that ends at John Muir Overlook. At the first of the wooded steps, leave you bike by the trailside and walk to the overlook. Use caution, as the sandstone is slippery when wet. The overlook provides a panoramic view of the valley of No Business Creek. Note the cleared fields in the valley to the west; this is the former Boyette homeplace. It is periodically mowed by the park staff as part of its historic landscape maintenance program.

The John Muir Trail is closed to bikes past the overlook, so ride back towards the west. For a shorter return trip, turn right onto the Chestnut Ridge Trail about a mile west of the overlook. The Chestnut Ridge Trail is a relatively flat former logging road about 2 miles long that ends at Divide Road 0.7 miles north of the Tennessee-Kentucky state line and 1.7 miles north of where the John Muir Trail crosses Divide Road. Go left on Divide Road and after 1.7 miles go right (west) on the John Muir Trail. Descend to Massey Branch (be careful on the hairpin turns), walk your bike across the bridge, and then follow the Rock Creek Loop Trail to the left (west) to the Hattie Blevins Cemetery parking lot.

For a shorter, more direct route to John Muir Overlook, park at the Divide Road – Chestnut Ridge Trail intersection 0.7 miles north of the state line. This trailhead is poorly marked so check your distance and watch for the old road branching off to the right.

Do you travel with your soft-top down or on the hard tail of a Harley?

Tour part of Kentucky’s Cumberland Cultural Heritage Trail with a detour off Interstate 75 at Exit 11 in Williamsburg, along Ky. 92 to Pine Knot near the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area through historic downtown Stearns to Monticello, Kentucky and back along Ky. Hwy 90 toward Parkers Lake. Your detour nears its end along the Ky. Hwy 90 Scenic Byway and a stopover at Dupont Lodge in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Return to I-75 at exit 25 in Corbin, Ky. Call (606) 376-3008 for more information.

McCreary County offers more than 60 miles of dispersed ATV and OHV trails leading those riding Kentucky’s other horse into the 425-square mile wilderness along the Cumberland Plateau. No permit is necessary, but riders are encouraged to stay on trails, respect the trails and private landowners. Click here for trail listing or call (606) 376-2413 for a detailed list.

McCreary County offers more than 100 miles of marked horse trails for the backcountry equestrian with opportunities for day, weekend, or week-long riding enjoyment through pristine wilderness.