Kentucky Trails

When looking for prime offroad trails in the Red River Gorge Area, look no further than Spaas Creek. It is one of the best offroad trails within the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway for a good reason - it is satisfying! To satisfy your sense of adventure, it is just tough enough with moderate obstacles to challenge and excite new drivers and provide interest for seasoned drivers. Overlanders love it because it is one of the few trails on the Byway that has dispersed and rustic camping. The wooded wet scenery, which presents new inspiring details around every corner, will captivate even the most cynical in your group. You can't help feeling satisfied after driving Spaas Creek.

It starts with the name - Punkin Hollow in one county and Pumpkin Hollow in another. Either way you spell it, the Hollow is the quintessential offroad experience of the Red River Gorge region and the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway. It combines the best features of wheeling in the area without being too stressful and intense. The experience isn't a "gimme" either. You are going to have to earn your hero shots. Slick rocky climbs through a thick dark green forest will give way to the crossing of the Right Fork Cane Creek. Of all the creek crossings on the Byway, this one is special. You will certainly want your camera crew to get the hero shot of you driving the crossing. Get your wheeling buddies and make it an epic trip by combining Pumpkin Hollow with Spaas Creek.

Clifton Road is a favorite for both locals and those who drive hours from afar to tackle the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway. You are immediately captivated by the trail's essence the moment you lay your eyes on Clifton Creek and start driving upstream. As you continue, white pines project their peaceful presence as you weave up and over mounds and through rocky creek beds. With the echoes of water trickling down at the cave, you will want to line your wheeling mates up for the photos you can share with your family and friends. It is no wonder that so many people mention Clifton Road when talking about offroading in the Red River Gorge area.

New Virginia Ridge is an alternate road following the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway. It is one of the more calm and subdued backcountry drives in the entire network. Tall hardwoods line the gentle dirt road while you wind down, around, and past flowing tributaries and Hawk Branch. If you roll the windows down or take the top off, you can hear the crystal clear water flowing as you drive by. Towards the end, the trail runs along the edge of Big Sinking Creek, where structures remain from oil and gas booms that went bust before it reaches Bald Rock Fork. It is a perfect addition when driving the Byway.

Fixer-Leeco Road is a perfect beginner trail along the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway. Long water crossings through beaver areas are a memory-making experience and get your proverbial tires wet when learning how to drive offroad. Additionally, Fixer-Leeco marks the beginning of a long stretch of dirt road when you combine it with Fixer Road and either Cave Fork Road or New Virginia Road.

Many roads and offroad trails along the Daniel Boone Backcountry Byway are named after landscape features, such as ridges, creeks, or forks. Others are named based on what towns they connect, such as Fixer-Leeco. Then you have the roads named after the town or settlement itself. That is the case with Fixer Road. Let's be clear. Fixer is not named in adoration an attorney who works for corrupt politicians, but rather for a man who was irritated with the U.S. Post Office. Folklore has it that a post office was established in the community in 1917. After submitting several rejected entries to postal authorities, an irritated customer declared that he was done suggesting place names. If the post office didn't like it, they could "fix 'er" themselves. If you are driving the DBBB, Fixer Road takes you through historical oil and gas activity and old homesteads while providing views of the Big Sinking Creek.