Hundreds of miles of ATV trails being developed in Eastern Kentucky

PRESTONSBURG, KY (WCHS) — The ATV trail industry is coming to Eastern Kentucky. More than 600 miles of trails are being developed to take riders throughout the region, giving the area an economic boost.

Crews are currently in the process of mapping the trails. More than 150 miles of trails are ready for riders now.

Officials hope the trails will soon be full of ATV's, pumping money into the local economy similar to West Virginia's Hatfield-McCoy Trail System.

"They have laid the groundwork. They have done a great job making the local economy millions and millions of dollars because people are coming in and spending money. That is what our group is after," Deputy Floyd County Judge-Executive Terry Spurlock said.

Spurlock also serves a board member of the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, the group overseeing the trail system's development.

"We are expecting a big turnout, especially from out-of-town visitors," he said. "I'm going to say from Floyd County to Martin County into Lawrence County, probably 600 miles of riding."

Spurlock said the county is already preparing for an influx of ATV trail riders.

Campsites have been added to the German Ridge Campground,complete with water, electric and soon Wi-Fi.

Spurlock said the agency is working with landowners to lease land in order to complete the trail system.

"I think it is going to make a big impact, maybe not this year but maybe next year," Spurlock added. " It took Hatfield-McCoy nine years to get their trail system going to be able to sell permits. We are in year four, and we are ready to sell permits."

The goal is to have the trail system ready for riders sometime this fall.