The multi-use trail, suitable for biking, walking, and horseback riding, occupies an abandoned rail corridor that was constructed in the early 20th century for the Dawkins Lumber Company.

This rail corridor was developed as means of transportation for company employees and for the extraction of timber from remote areas.

In 2006, the Kentucky General Assembly provided the initial funds necessary to convert the abandoned right-of-way into a rail trail.

The Kentucky State Parks received a multi-county coal severance grant of $500,000 to help support the development of the trail.

[2] Future work (4th QTR 2014 or later) involves restoring abandoned railbed from Royalton southwest to near the tunnel at the Magoffin and Breathitt County line.