By Jon Crowley
In the spring of 2010, Kawasaki invited us to eastern Kentucky for a preview of a new off-road destination being developed in the heart of Appalachia. Mine Made Paradise Adventure Park had not yet officially opened, but its network of old mining roads, gas-well access routes and newly cut trails already showed enormous potential.
Kawasaki also brought three very different side-by-sides for us to drive: the 2010 Kawasaki MULE 4010 Trans4x4 Diesel, the new MULE 610 4×4 XC and the recreation-focused Teryx 750 FI 4×4 Sport.
Putting all three vehicles on the same Kentucky trails offered more than a day of riding. It demonstrated just how broad Kawasaki’s side-by-side lineup had become by 2010. The Teryx was built for recreational performance, the compact MULE 610 XC added trail capability to a small work vehicle, and the diesel MULE 4010 Trans4x4 proved that a machine designed primarily for job sites could be surprisingly effective in the mountains.
A New Off-Road Destination in Eastern Kentucky
Mine Made Paradise Adventure Park is located near Leburn in Knott County, Kentucky, a short drive from Hazard. We flew into Lexington and drove approximately two hours into eastern Kentucky, leaving the flatter country behind as we entered the narrow valleys and forested ridges of the Appalachian Mountains.
The park was being developed on reclaimed coal-mining property through a partnership involving Knott County and local landowners. Rather than allowing the former industrial land to sit unused, the project was turning it into an outdoor recreation destination for side-by-sides, ATVs, dirt bikes, horses and hikers.
That was especially encouraging in 2010. While many established riding areas around the country were losing trails or facing new restrictions, Knott County was actively building an off-road trail system and recognizing the potential economic value of OHV tourism.
Reclaimed Mining Land Creates Distinctive UTV Terrain
The landscape was unlike the desert and rock terrain we frequently ride in the West. Mine Made combined densely wooded hollows, long ridge roads, open reclaimed mining areas, muddy sections and steep elevation changes.
Wide roads crossed the exposed upper areas, while narrower trails dropped into the trees and followed the natural contours of the mountains. Much of the initial trail network used former gas-well and mining access roads. These routes were generally wide enough for side-by-sides, but their grades, loose surfaces and changing conditions still provided a meaningful test of traction, power delivery and engine braking.
The history of the property was visible throughout the ride. Mining had reshaped portions of the mountains, creating broad benches and open grasslands above the tighter forested valleys. Those reclaimed areas offered long views across eastern Kentucky and a dramatically different riding environment from the wooded trails below.
The mixture also created habitat for wildlife. Knott County sits within Kentucky’s elk restoration zone, and we were told that a substantial elk population lived in the surrounding area. We did not see any during our ride, but the combination of open reclaimed land and wooded hollows appeared ideally suited to them.
Plans at the time called for approximately 200 miles of trails, along with 32 miles of narrower single-track routes. There was also discussion about connecting Mine Made with trails in neighboring Breathitt County and eventually creating broader links through Appalachian coal country.
The possibility of riding between multiple trail systems—and gaining trail access to nearby towns for fuel, food and lodging—was exciting. West Virginia has since demonstrated the economic potential of that model through the growth of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System and off-road tourism.
Three Kawasaki Side-by-Sides, Three Different Missions
Kawasaki’s selection was an excellent match for the event because each machine approached the same terrain differently.
| Model | Engine | Primary Mission | What Stood Out at Mine Made |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 MULE 4010 Trans4x4 Diesel | 953cc three-cylinder diesel | Crew and cargo utility | Low-speed torque, traction and convertible seating |
| 2010 MULE 610 4×4 XC | 401cc single-cylinder | Compact utility and trail access | Small size, 26-inch tires and improved clearance |
| 2010 Teryx 750 FI 4×4 Sport | 749cc V-twin | Recreation and utility | Power, suspension and faster trail performance |
The Teryx was predictably the most entertaining machine on the open trails, but the MULE 4010 Trans4x4 Diesel delivered the biggest surprise.
Kawasaki MULE 4010 Trans4x4 Diesel: The Unexpected Trail Machine
At first glance, the MULE 4010 Trans4x4 Diesel appeared better suited to a construction site, farm or industrial facility than a recreational trail ride. It was large, heavy and governed to a top speed of approximately 25 mph.
Its defining feature was Kawasaki’s convertible Trans4x4 layout. The rear bench allowed the vehicle to carry four people with a shorter cargo bed. When the extra passenger capacity was not needed, the rear seating area could be converted to create a longer bed for hauling tools, equipment or supplies.
The convertible-cab concept first appeared on the earlier MULE 3010 Trans4x4 and eventually became one of the most important developments in the history of the Kawasaki MULE.
Power came from a liquid-cooled 953cc three-cylinder diesel engine. It was not quick, but quickness mattered far less than torque on Mine Made’s steeper access roads. The diesel delivered smooth, predictable power that made it easier to maintain traction without excessive wheelspin.
Selectable four-wheel drive, a locking rear differential and electric power steering helped the MULE work its way through uneven and loose terrain. Its deliberate speed was actually an advantage in tighter sections, where careful wheel placement mattered more than acceleration.
Put it in four-wheel drive and the big diesel MULE crawled like a billy goat.
The ride also illustrated an important distinction between trail capability and sport performance. The 4010 was never going to keep pace with the Teryx on a fast, rough road, but that did not prevent it from reaching the same destinations. It simply tackled the terrain at a slower, more controlled pace.
For more model history and specifications, see our complete Kawasaki MULE 4010 Trans4x4 guide.
Kawasaki MULE 610 4×4 XC: A Compact MULE With More Attitude
The MULE 610 4×4 XC was new for the 2010 model year. Kawasaki took the compact, work-focused MULE 610 and gave it larger tires, additional ground clearance, wider suspension arms, skid protection and more aggressive styling.
The most noticeable change was its set of 26-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 radial tires mounted on 12-inch wheels. Compared with the standard MULE 610, the larger tires helped increase ground clearance to approximately 8.1 inches. Longer front and rear suspension arms accommodated the wider stance, while skid plates helped protect the front differential, engine and rear differential.
Those upgrades made a real difference on the uneven mining roads and wooded trails. The compact dimensions made the XC easy to place on narrow routes, and the Bighorns delivered considerably more traction and obstacle clearance than the smaller utility tires commonly found on compact work UTVs of the period.
The XC retained the MULE 610’s 401cc fan-cooled single-cylinder engine and automatic CVT with High and Low ranges. Selectable four-wheel drive and a locking rear differential gave it useful traction in mud and on loose climbs.
It remained a work vehicle at heart, however. Its modest engine, short suspension travel and governed 25-mph top speed prevented it from becoming a smaller Teryx. On the open trails, the lack of power was obvious. In the tighter sections, its manageable size and low-speed drivetrain made it an enjoyable machine for relaxed exploration.
Our updated Kawasaki MULE 610 4×4 XC guide covers the model’s specifications, trail-oriented upgrades and place in MULE history.
Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI 4×4 Sport: The Natural Choice for the Trail
I had already owned and driven several Kawasaki Teryx models, so there were fewer surprises when I climbed into the Teryx 750 FI 4×4 Sport. Of the three machines, it was clearly the one designed to cover rough trails at a quicker pace.
Its liquid-cooled 749cc, fuel-injected 90-degree V-twin delivered substantially more power than either MULE. The engine produced strong low- and midrange response, while its distinctive V-twin exhaust note added to the experience.
The automatic CVT included High and Low ranges, and the driver could select two- or four-wheel drive from the dashboard. Kawasaki’s variable front differential control allowed the driver to progressively increase front differential lock when additional traction was needed.
The Sport model added fully adjustable gas-charged suspension and lightweight aluminum wheels. It provided 7.5 inches of suspension travel at all four corners and 11.6 inches of ground clearance, giving it considerably more speed and control across Mine Made’s rougher access roads.
For 2010, Kawasaki also gave the Teryx an updated front end with a forward-tilting hood, improved cooling capacity and a reinforced tilting cargo bed. With a 500-pound bed rating and 1,300-pound towing capacity, it retained meaningful utility even though it was the performance model of the group.
The Teryx was the natural choice when the trail opened up. It carried more speed comfortably, absorbed rough terrain better and had the power to climb without feeling strained. At the same time, its relatively compact 58.5-inch width worked well on the narrower Appalachian routes.
For a closer look at the machine, see our 2010 Kawasaki Teryx 750 FI 4×4 Sport review.
What the Ride Revealed About Kawasaki’s 2010 Lineup
Driving the three vehicles back-to-back showed that choosing a side-by-side was already about more than simply selecting an engine size.
The MULE 4010 Trans4x4 Diesel prioritized passengers, cargo capacity and low-speed pulling power. The MULE 610 XC offered a compact footprint for owners who needed a practical work vehicle but wanted better clearance and traction on trails. The Teryx combined useful cargo capacity with substantially more recreational performance.
All three made it through the day, but each one changed the character of the ride:
- Teryx 750 FI Sport: Encouraged you to look for the next fast or rough section.
- MULE 610 XC: Encouraged slower exploration of the tighter trails.
- MULE 4010 Diesel: Demonstrated how far torque, traction and patience could carry a work-focused side-by-side.
The MULE 4010 was the most impressive relative to expectations. Nothing about its size or industrial personality suggested a recreational trail machine, yet it handled the Appalachian terrain without drama.
Mine Made Adventure Park Today
Mine Made opened to the public after our preview and has grown into an established campground and riding destination. The current Knott County trail system describes more than 60,000 acres available for ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes and other OHVs.
The campground now offers RV sites, cabins and primitive tent camping, giving riders the overnight options that were still being discussed during our 2010 visit. The broader trail network also connects riding areas across portions of Knott, Breathitt, Floyd, Magoffin and Perry counties.
Trail access, rates, special closures and riding conditions can change. Mine Made is also closed to ATVs during designated spring and fall horse-trail weekends, so visitors should confirm current information before traveling.
Trip-planning resources include:
- Mine Made Adventure Park and Campground
- Knott County interactive OHV trail map
- Address: 750 Sutton Memorial Drive, Leburn, Kentucky 41831
- Phone: 606-634-5012
Final Thoughts
Our 2010 visit captured Mine Made at an exciting point in its development. Knott County was transforming reclaimed mining property into a major off-road recreation area, and Kawasaki supplied three machines that represented very different interpretations of the side-by-side.
The Teryx 750 FI Sport was the obvious choice for recreational performance. The MULE 610 XC showed how larger tires and more clearance could broaden the usefulness of a compact utility vehicle. Most memorable of all, the MULE 4010 Trans4x4 Diesel demonstrated that a slow, heavy work UTV could still be remarkably capable in steep Appalachian terrain.
Mine Made was full of promise when we first rode it. More than 15 years later, its continued operation demonstrates how reclaimed coal country can provide outstanding UTV terrain while supporting outdoor tourism in eastern Kentucky.
