Hazard and Perry County Named Kentucky Trail Towns, Boost Tourism

Perry County and its county seat, Hazard, have received Kentucky Trail Town status, joining a state program that recognizes communities offering services and access for trail users such as hikers and paddlers. The designation calls attention to the county’s natural and recreational assets, including Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, public access points on the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Kentucky River, and ongoing nearby trail development that connects regional routes to downtown services.

The Trail Town label matters locally because it formalizes connections between long-distance and regional trail networks and the county’s commercial core. By signaling that Hazard is tourism-ready, the designation aims to channel trail users into local businesses, lodging and cultural attractions. For small merchants and service providers, that can mean more foot traffic, longer visitor stays and a broader customer base for restaurants, outfitters and guest accommodations.

Local officials and tourism planners will be expected to translate the designation into on-the-ground improvements: clearer trailhead signage, maintained parking and access points, consistent visitor information, and collaboration between park managers and downtown businesses. The Trail Town program also emphasizes paddler access and multiuse recreation, reinforcing the value of river and creek access on the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Kentucky River as assets that extend the season for outdoor visitation beyond hiking alone.

From a policy perspective, the designation provides a framework for targeted investment and marketing. It creates opportunities to leverage state-level recognition when pursuing grants, infrastructure funds or public-private partnerships aimed at improving trail connections, restroom and parking facilities, and wayfinding. Tracking the economic impact will depend on measurable indicators such as visitor counts at parks and trailheads, lodging occupancy rates, and local sales and lodging tax receipts that reflect increased tourist spending.

Longer term, Trail Town status positions Perry County to participate in broader trends linking outdoor recreation to rural economic development. Success will hinge on balancing increased visitation with stewardship of natural resources and coordinated support for small businesses that provide the services visitors need. For Perry County residents, the designation signals a concrete step toward turning the county’s rivers, parks and trails into more reliable drivers of local commerce and community amenities.