Riding the Wild Side: Upcoming Off‑Road Adventures in Harlan/Evarts

Oct 14
6 min read

Two people on a red ATV ride through a lush, muddy forest trail. They wear colorful helmets and gear, exuding excitement and adventure. — Two daring riders traverse a muddy path on an ATV, enveloped by a vibrant green forest, highlighting the excitement of off-road adventure.

Harlan County, Kentucky isn’t just coal mines and old union ballads – it’s also home to Black Mountain Off‑Road Adventure Area, one of the highest-elevation ATV/4×4 parks in the eastern United States. If you need an excuse to get outdoors and sling some mud, this year’s event calendar is stacked. Below is a down‑to‑earth (and occasionally cheeky) guide to the park and its upcoming rides. Mark your calendars, because these trails aren’t going to conquer themselves.

Black Mountain Off‑Road Adventure Area: our Appalachian playground

forested mountain terrain with trails rated from easy to

extremekentuckytourism.com. The park’s trail system covers more than 150 milesharlanenterprise.net and reaches elevations near 3,300 feetharlanenterprise.net, giving riders everything from gentle green routes to gnarly red rock bouncer climbs. Trails are color‑coded – green is easiest, blue is intermediate and red will separate the pros from the pretenders harlanenterprise.net. There are two trailheads (Evarts via KY‑38 and Putney off US‑119)kentuckytourism.com, plus primitive campsites, RV hookups and cabin rentals nearby. Off‑road manager Trevor Pryor notes that permits are required; you can buy monthly or annual passes at either trailhead harlanenterprise.net.

Since opening to the public in 2005harlanenterprise.net, Black Mountain has become a pilgrimage for riders across the U.S. It’s run by the Harlan County Outdoor Recreation Board and supported by local tourism groups, so you’ll often find community vendors, live music and small‑town hospitality at big events. With that backdrop, here’s what’s coming up.

2025 event calendar

April Fools Ride – March 28 – 30

Winter’s over, the rigs are tuned up and everyone’s itching to hit the mountain. The April Fools Ride is the park’s traditional spring kickoff. Manager Trevor Pryor told the Harlan Enterprise that the ride usually draws a “pretty good crowd” because riders have been cooped up all winter and are ready to get back on the trails harlanenterprise.net. The park spends the off‑season repairing and creating trails, so riders show up looking for new challenges harlanenterprise.net. Expect everything from dirt bikes to high‑dollar rock bouncers harlanenterprise.net, and remember that difficulty levels are marked with green, blue and red signs harlanenterprise.net. According to the event calendar, the ride runs March 28–30harlancountytrails.com.

Ramp Festival – April 18 – 20

If you don’t know what “ramps” are, you’re in for a pungent Appalachian treat. Ramps are wild spring onions, and this festival combines off‑roading with a ramp‑centric dinner. The Harlan County events calendar notes that riders can spend a weekend on the park’s 7,000‑acre trail system and then “sample a mountain delicacy” at a traditional ramp dinnerharlancountytrails.com. A 2019 article adds that the ride leaves the North Evarts RV Park around 9:30 – 10 a.m. and dinner (ramp and Polish‑sausage feast) is served later in the afternoon; donations are welcome but the meal itself doesn’t carry a price tag harlanenterprise.net. Basically, you ride all day and then refuel on ramps like a true mountaineer.

Two people on a muddy red ATV in a lush green forest, wearing orange helmets and blue shirts, laughing and enjoying the ride. — Adventure seekers enjoy a thrilling ride on a muddy ATV trail, surrounded by lush greenery and excitement in the air.

Southern Shine Crawl – May 23 – 25 (Memorial Day weekend)

Originally a competition, the Southern Shine Crawl has become a purely recreational long‑weekend ride. Off‑roaders converge from all over, with people usually arriving by the Wednesday or Thursday before Memorial Day harlanenterprise.net. According to park board member Ken Crider, the event began back in 2006 and still draws a solid turnout harlanenterprise.net. Riders must purchase a permit at either trailhead harlanenterprise.net, but after that it’s all about exploring 7,000 acres of varied terrain harlanenterprise.net. In the evenings, organizers sometimes host live music harlanenterprise.net. It’s a great weekend to test your rig’s capabilities or just cruise with friends.

Great American Crawl – April 12 – 14

Details on the Great American Crawl are scarce online (most of the chatter happens on social media), but the local event calendar lists it right after the April Fools Ride jasonandsylviafamilyrentals.com. Traditionally, this crawl attracts heavily built rigs and highlights some of the park’s toughest obstacles. If you’re into technical crawling, watch for announcements from the park’s Facebook page.

Big Rig Rodeo – June 7 – 9

Got a four‑wheel‑steer buggy the size of a small house? The Big Rig Rodeo is fo

r you. The schedule on the Jason & Sylvia Family Rentals site (a local lodging provider) lists this event in early June jasonandsylviafamilyrentals.com. Expect giant tires, steep climbs and maybe a few mechanical carnage videos. Even if you’re not piloting a monster, it’s fun to watch.

Fourth of July Ride – July 4 – 7

Independence Day weekend means fireworks on and off the trails. Riders celebrate America’s birthday by tearing up the mountain for four days jasonandsylviafamilyrentals.com. Pack sparklers and a flag (and maybe earplugs). With summer foliage at its peak and streams running clear, this is one of the most picturesque times to ride.

Ken Crider Crawl – August 9 – 11

Named for longtime park supporter Ken Crider, this August event honors one of the region’s off‑road champions. The calendar slots it for early August jasonandsylviafamilyrentals.com. Expect a community feel and trails selected to challenge experienced drivers while still accommodating newer riders.

Labor Day Ride – August 30 – September 1

Close out summer at the Labor Day Ridejasonandsylviafamilyrentals.com. With cooler mornings and less dust than mid‑summer, it’s an ideal time to tackle long loops across the 150‑mile network. Labor Day also tends to coincide with local festivals and markets in nearby towns, so there’s plenty to do when you climb off your ATV.

Red Clay Rally – September 13 – 15

Red Clay Rally is another niche event listed on the calendar jasonandsylviafamilyrentals.com. It typically features a point‑to‑point endurance challenge that mixes navigation and driving skill. This one’s for die‑hard off‑roaders who don’t mind getting lost in the woods.

Fall Crawl – October 17 – 19

The Fall Crawl is the crown jewel of the park’s calendar. The Harlan Enterprise reports that riders from across the country descend on Black Mountain each October, turning the area into an off‑road metropolis harlanenterprise.net. Trevor Pryor says that besides the usual trail riding, the park partners with the Evarts Tourism Committee and Harlan Tourism to host a festival at Bailey’s Creek Park, featuring live music, inflatables, train rides, vendors and foodharlanenterprise.net. The park covers more than 7,000 acres and 150 miles of marked trails, with difficulty levels for everyone harlanenterprise.net. Safety is a priority – expect large crowds and remember to ride responsibly harlanenterprise.net.

Fall Jeep Fest & Mountain Market – October 24 – 25

Jeep people have their own thing, and it’s awesome. The 2025 Fall Jeep Fest takes over downtown Harlan and the Harlan Center grounds. According to the Harlan Enterprise, the event will include a haunted jeep show and haunted house, live music, cornhole tournament, off‑road ride, show‑and‑shine contest with $500 in prizes, a stock‑friendly ride, bounce houses, a duck race benefiting the Angel Tree program, and a 50/50 drawing for the Shop with a Cop programharlanenterprise.net. Food vendors will be on‑siteharlanenterprise.net. Running concurrently is the Mountain Market, a craft and artisan market inside the Harlan Center, so you can pick up local honey or handmade knives between trail rides harlanenterprise.net. As Visit Harlan County puts it, “Whether you’re cruising in your jeep, hunting for fall finds, or just soaking in the autumn vibes—there’s something for everyone!”harlanenterprise.net.

Jingle Bell Ride – November 27 – 30

The holiday season’s answer to off‑roading, the Jingle Bell Ride invites folks to ride the park’s 7,000‑acre network while supporting local toy drives. The events page summarizes it simply: “Ride Kentucky’s highest elevated off‑road park with over 7,000 acres of adventure”harlancountytrails.com. Historically, the park has encouraged riders without annual passes to bring new toys for donation; check the park’s social channels for 2025 specifics.

New Year’s Ride – December 30 – January 1, 2026

Why watch a ball drop when you can watch mud fly? Cap off the year and ring in 2026 with the New Year’s Ride. Riders will be exploring the same vast trail system during the quiet winter season. The Harlan County listing invites riders to “Ride Kentucky’s highest elevated off‑road park with over 7,000 acres of adventure”harlancountytrails.com. Bundle up and bring hot cocoa – the mountain air gets crisp at 3,000 feet.

Other notable events & tips

Poke Sallet Festival (May 30 – June 1) – a downtown Harlan street festival celebrating the famous edible pokeweed, often paired with off‑road rides. It’s listed on the local calendar as something fun to combine with Southern Shine jasonandsylviafamilyrentals.com.
Labor Day Side‑events & Mountain Markets – during big weekend rides, downtown Harlan and Evarts often host markets and live music. Check out the Harlan Center, local breweries and food trucks between trail sessions.
Permits & preparation – Everyone riding Black Mountain must have a permit harlanenterprise.net. Monthly and annual passes are available; call 606‑837‑3205 for details. Helmets are required for ATV riders, and four‑wheel‑drive is a must on intermediate and advanced trails. Bring recovery gear (winch, tow straps) and ride with a buddy.
Trail etiquette – Yield to uphill traffic, stick to marked routes, pack out all trash and respect private property boundaries. Locals are friendly but they don’t tolerate disrespectful riders.

Final thoughts

Harlan County’s off‑road calendar offers something for everyone – from spring shenanigans at the April Fools Ride to spooky fun at Jeep Fest and holiday cheer at the Jingle Bell Ride. Between the events you can always explore the park’s 150 miles of trails, test your limits on steep Appalachian climbs and soak in sweeping mountain views harlanenterprise.net. And remember: your purchase of a permit and participation in local festivals help support small businesses, tourism boards and volunteer organizations that keep these trails open and thriving.

So tune your suspension, charge your batteries and book those days off work. We’ll see you on the mountain – mud‑splattered, grinning and probably smelling like ramps.

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