The weather is finally warmer! Summer means returning to outdoor fun with friends and family! Despite the humidity, Kentuckians work hard and play harder. They enjoy having a truck, like the Ram TRX, for both work and pleasure. Summer is the best time to check out Ram TRX dealers in Kentucky to purchase a new toy… er… truck. It’s easy to figure out how to use a Ram TRX for work, but where can you take it to play in the Bluegrass State?
Kentucky Should Be Known For Off-Roading
Kentucky might be known for bourbon, basketball, and horses, but it’s also a paradise for off-roading fans. The Appalachian Mountains in eastern Kentucky have the majority of off-roading areas for trucks, ATVs, dirt bikes, and other vehicles. Eastern Kentucky’s biggest industry is coal, but as the demand dwindles, former coal mining operations are being transformed into off-road parks.
While mountainous eastern Kentucky has a variety of off-road parks, western Kentucky, with its flatter terrain, is covered with a wide range of lakes and has its off-roading parks.
Kentucky’s variety of terrains makes the state an off-roading paradise for all vehicle types, especially the Ram TRX. More off-roading parks are built each year, so there is always a new place to explore while getting down in the mud. Most of Kentucky’s off-road parks are located in state parks or nature preserves. These parks also double as camping grounds for traditional campers or RV enthusiasts while offering activities such as hiking, hunting, and more. Due to the variety of off-roading areas, Kentucky is considered to be one of the best states for the sport.
Mountains Have Great Off-Roading Parks
One of the most popular places for Kentucky off-roading is Black Mountain Offroad Adventure Area. The 7,000-acre adventure park is an off-roader’s paradise in Evarts, KY. Black Mountain’s trails cover 150 miles, built on old mining and logging roads, making it the perfect place for beginners and experienced off-roaders alike. The park welcomes all vehicle types, however, certain trails are only for ATVs and dirt bikes.
Off-roaders love the mountains because driving a truck through the rocky terrain is like riding a roller coaster. Rush Off-Road in Rush, KY, uses the mountainous terrain to please off-roading fans. The facility has 7,000 acres and 100 miles of trails for drivers of all experience levels. Rush Off-Road is a great place to practice, but the best drivers show off their skills at events held at the park.
Mountains Don’t Have All the Off-Road Fun
If you want to get away from Kentucky’s mountains, then head southwest to the Land Between Lakes Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle Area. Located in Golden Pond, KY, Turkey Bay has 100 miles of off-roading trails. There are primary, secondary, and tertiary trails and a special Turkey Trot Youth Trail for beginner off-roaders. Other off-roading vehicles use the Turkey Bay OHV, as do hunters for archery, small game, and turkeys.
You wouldn’t love off-roading if you didn’t mind getting down and dirty. One of the best places in southeast Kentucky for off-roading is the Dirty Turtle Offroad Park in Bedford, KY. Dirty Turtle welcomes all off-roading vehicles to explore their 286 acres of trails. They let new and experienced drivers not only drive and camp out at Dirty Turtle, and they also hold a variety of events throughout the year.
National Parks Love Off-Roaders
The Daniel Boone National Forest is one of the most beautiful parks in the country. A great way to enjoy the scenery is by visiting the Redbird Crest Trails located in the forest. The Redbird Crest Trails are open all year to off-roading vehicles, dirt bikes, ATVs, mountain bikes, and horseback riding. Most of the trails consist of rough and narrow terrain with an elevation topping at 2,451 meters. There are over 100 miles of trails that are mostly single track. Drivers need a recreation pass available for purchase from the park’s district office or licensed vendors. The Redbird Crest Trails are also popular with campers.
Blue Holler Offroad Park is the perfect location if you love getting dirty on trails and underground. Located near Mammoth Cave, the world’s largest cave system, Blue Holler Offroad Park offers 1,000 acres for exploring the Mammoth Cave region. The entire park is family-friendly, with children under 12 entering for free.
Near Stanton, KY is Hollerwood Park, an off-road park managed by four Kentucky counties. Hollerwood Park was specifically built for recreational vehicles. It’s located close to Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge State Park. The 2,500-acre park takes advantage of the rocky terrain with valleys and ridges, making an awesome off-road obstacle course. Hollerwood Park offers off-road tours as well as Wildcat 700 and RZR 570 vehicle rentals. The park is also open twenty-four hours and allows night driving. Visitors can camp at Hollerwood Park or find accommodations at neighboring camping grounds. All drivers are required to buy a pass, sign a waiver, and visit the office before off-roading. Hunting is prohibited, but there is a pond for kayaking and fishing.
The Ram TRX Is Built for Off-Roading
Everyone has their own favorite off-roading vehicle, but if you’re in the market for something new to enjoy this summer check out the Ram TRX. Ram TRX trucks are perfect for off-roading because they have different drive modes. Off-roading fans love testing their vehicles in a variety of terrains, and the Ram TRX had a mode for every one.
The 2021 Ram 1500 TRX has modes for Mud/Sand, Snow, Rock, Baja, Sport (for paved surfaces), and even a Custom mode. The custom mode can be tailored for a driver’s individual preferences in steering, suspension, torque split, and more performance features.
Kentucky off-roaders will want to test every drive mode the Ram TRX has, but it’s wise to remember that these modes are designed for specific terrains. The Rock mode is great for Eastern Kentucky with its mountainous environment, and in flatter areas, the Mud/Sand mode will come in handy. The custom mode on the Ram TRX will work everywhere in the state because the driver can program it with their favorite drive settings.
All Kentucky off-roading parks require that drivers follow safety rules. A good off-roader knows that safety is the most important thing after vehicle maintenance and performance. Having the proper vehicle safety features and equipment, especially a helmet, ensures that off-road drivers will survive any mishaps and live to adventure another day. Safety is another reason to consider upgrading your off-road adventures with a Ram 1500 TRX because it was engineered with fun and safety in mind.
The truck was designed with standard safety features like 14.9-inch brakes, the largest in its class, for the ultimate stopping performance. The truck is built on a frame made from 98% high-strength steel for durability and stiffness, while six airbags are built into the cab’s interior frame to lessen driver and passenger injury during an impact. That way, you can get as dirty in the mud as you want but don’t need to worry about injuring yourself. Laundry and the car wash will be your biggest problems.
If you purchase a Ram TRX for the upcoming summer, it’s important to remember to inspect your vehicle and safety equipment before you hit the trails. Regular inspections keep your off-road vehicle operating at top performance and ensure your safety as well as that of other off-roaders. Once you’re sure that your vehicle is ready for summer riding, especially the mud, check out the many off-road adventure trails in Kentucky.
