Southfork Elk View Station, located in southern Breathitt County, is a developed ATV and horse trail park managed by the county. Southfork is a well-known waypoint for those spending time at Knott County’s Mine Made Adventure Park located across the nearby county line, but is a destination all its own.
Quick Info:
Official Website: http://elkviewky.com/
Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SouthforkElkView
Elkview Station is accessible by car. Trailhead parking is located on either side of Route 1098.
No fees to ride. Camping is all primitive. *Update: A campground is currently in development, stay tuned to the park’s website and social media pages for news.*
There are no gas stations, stores, or restaurants once you leave the towns of Jackson (traveling from the west) or Hindman (if leaving Knott County’s Mine Made Park). It’s a half hour drive in either direction for supplies.
AT&T only has service at the very top of the mountains and doesn’t have service after leaving Jackson or the top of the mountain at Mine Made Park.
Please scroll down for the Trail Map and a longer version of relevant information.
Southfork Elk View Recreation Area is currently undergoing new developments in trails and amenities. Parking is located on either side of Route 1098 at the top of the mountain. The actual Elkview Station is located on the south side of 1098 (on your right if coming from Jackson) and can be accessed by car.
*Update: Since posting the maps below, the new Southfork Official Webpage has the latest map available on their website, http://elkviewky.com/map.html.* I’ve posted the best trail map I’ve come across below. This map was posted on the Southfork Elk View Facebook page a few years ago. Another map, hanging at YPK Motorsports in Jackson, is also posted below.
Posted at YPK Motorsports in Jackson
The trails are Side-by-Side friendly. There is only one trail labeled Most Difficult on the map, black Trail 90. Trail 90’s difficulty is one of the climbs out of the holler; if traveling clockwise, you’re descending the difficult hill and it isn’t as difficult overall. All of the rest of the trails are pretty standard for eastern Kentucky - a rocky base with standing water if visiting outside of the dead of Summer. I have not found any motorcycle singletrack at Southfork. If anyone knows of some, please shoot me a message at the contact page or Facebook message.
Though the actual trails are not open to full size vehicles, Southfork is still a great waypoint for Overlanders looking to explore more of Eastern Kentucky. Large coal haul roads run through both sides of the park, leaving a lot of opportunity to get creative or find seclusion for your camp. Open fields and wide roads make for good camping access or room to roam. The Kentucky Adventure Tour runs through the north side of Southfork, which makes for another good waypoint/camp.
Dealerships and Parts:
YPK Motorsports - 1501 Highway 15 N, Jackson, KY 41339 - Yamaha, Polaris, and Kawasaki Service and Sales
RideCenter USA - 3904 KY-15, Bonnyman, KY 41719 - Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Yamaha Service and Sales
Restaurants:
Thatcher’s Downtown, Jackson - BBQ, Soups, Sandwiches, Coffee, Daily Specials, Live Music
Showtime Pizza, Jackson - Pizza, Subs, Hand-Dipped Ice Cream
Kelsey’s On Main, Jackson - Specials, Sunday Buffet
Jiffy Mart, Jackson - Meats, Groceries, Grab-and-Go Chicken, Soft-Serve Ice Cream, Gas
Wal-Mart, IGA, Save-A-Lot, Auto Parts stores also found in Jackson.