Leatherwood Off Road Park Drives Tourism, Boosts Perry County Economy

Leatherwood Off Road Park occupies a growing role in Perry County s economic landscape. Located at 11802 KY 699 near Cornettsville and Leatherwood, the complex markets itself as having over 250 miles of trails across tens of thousands of acres and offers campsites and staging areas that accommodate multi day stays. The park attracts all terrain vehicle riders, utility terrain vehicle users and off road motorcyclists from across the region, and tourism materials note a local contact number and amenities including trail access and nearby camping.

Local officials and tourism partners identify Leatherwood as a practical driver of visitor demand that supplements traditional outdoor draws such as Buckhorn Lake. Because Leatherwood often anchors multi day itineraries, it spreads spending beyond single day trips and supports lodging inventories that include hotels, motels and short term rentals. Business owners in nearby communities report increased traffic on both weekdays and weekends as riders schedule longer stays to use the trail network.

From a market perspective, Leatherwood s large trail network creates steady demand for related services. Outfitters sell gear and fuel, restaurants and convenience stores register higher receipts during peak seasons, and short term rental operators gain nights of occupancy that would otherwise be hard to capture in this rural market. Those revenue flows translate into local employment in hospitality, retail and outdoor services, and they affect the size and composition of lodging inventories that local government tracks for planning.

Policy implications for Perry County include infrastructure, safety and workforce considerations. Maintaining access roads, signage and emergency response capacity is important as visitor volumes rise. Zoning and permitting for short term rentals may need ongoing review to balance community impacts with tourism benefits. Investment in coordinated marketing with nearby attractions could lengthen stays further and raise per visitor spending.

Leatherwood s scale and regional draw position it as a durable asset for Perry County s effort to diversify its economy through outdoor recreation. The park s address and listed amenities make it an accessible entry point for visitor planning, and its influence on weekday and weekend spending reinforces its role as a local economic engine.