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Pike County seeing more tourism dollars for outdoor activities

Stock photo of four wheeler
pixabay.com
Stock photo of four wheeler

A far eastern Kentucky county is seeing a great deal of out of state visitors making their way through its rural landscape. It’s creating a great deal of tourism-related dollars.

Phase one of Pike County’s Hillbilly Trails officially opened the end of September. Over 100 miles of rock trails for motorized four-wheelers and side by side vehicles include four designations of difficulty. Hillbilly Trails Director Jerry Adkins said permits have been sold to riders from 28 other states.

“And that’s bringing tourism dollars right here to Pike County because any time they come, they’re looking for lodging, they’re looking for places to eat. They’ve got to buy gasoline. They buy groceries. They buy snacks to take out on the trail.”

Adkins says trail enthusiasts have come from states like Maine, Pennsylvania, and even California. Plans call for opening phase two of the trail system near Matewan West Virginia by the end of this year.

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Stu has been reporting for WEKU for more than 35 years. His primary beat is Lexington/Fayette government.
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