Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Apison, Tennessee

Trail 181-D is a lot like Trail C. It connects off of 181-C, circles around, and connects to the end of 181-A. This is a smooth and fun ATV loop that makes a great start to any ride in the Houston Valley ORV Area. The trail surface is mostly packed dirt, with gravel and small rocks pushed off to the...
Learn more about 181-D

This is a tight, winding loop through the forest that can be ridden in either direction with a similar level of ease. It's a narrow ATV trail that snakes through the trees, featuring sharp turns but plenty of flow. The loop includes both gradual and steeper climbs as it traverses across the hillside...
Learn more about 181-E

This is Trail 181-C that goes off to the right at the top of the hill of water bars if you're going counterclockwise. A great, easy warm-up from the staging area, the 181-C follows a wide ATV trail winding tightly through the trees. Expect lots of sharp curves and a few short, steep pitches. The sur...
Learn more about 181-C

This is 181-A and begins off the west side of the paved parking lot. This is a 2-track and an easy trail. It will take you past trails 181-B, 181-C, 181-D, and all the way out to trail 181-E. If you can't do this one, you're going to have a hard time elsewhere.
Learn more about 181-A

This is Trail 181-B and connects Trail 181-A back down to the main road, 181, and to an unlabeled at this time trail that connects to 181-F. This trail is as easy as Trail 181-A. Keep this trail in mind as it can be a shortcut back to 181.
Learn more about 181-B

Trail 181-O comes off the east side of the parking lot. Be sure to watch where you're going, as there are some old, decommissioned trails that are off-limits. This one seems to accumulate a lot of water when it rains and tends to hold it for a while. There is a wide creek crossing that is no problem...
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This is a short connector that goes off the upper section of 181-O and intersects 181, proceeds over and connects with 181-B, and another yet to be marked trail that can connect to 181-F. There are no hazards to speak of on this piece of trail. Just a quick short cup if needed.
Learn more about 181-B-O connector Unlabeled

This is a fun, more dynamic trail in the Houston Valley ORV Area. The trail is dug out and well used in sections, sitting a foot below the forest floor. The trail surface has a shallow texture with some loose rocks and shallow ruts, but nothing too rough. There's a tiny stream crossing and a few mud...
Learn more about 181-F

This little trail is a connector that runs from 181 over to the end/beginning of 181-O. This is another one that has lost its marker and will be replaced in the winter of 2026. There is no difficulty on this one, as it's just a quick and smooth pop over to make a shortcut.
Learn more about 181-N-O Unlabeled

Trail 181-N is a scenic and beginner-friendly lollipop loop winding through a lush, green forest. The trail is smooth and well-maintained, but also dug out from the forest floor, resulting in foot-tall dirt walls on either side of the trail. It has fun dips and rollers from waterbars, and clear sign...
Learn more about 181-N

This is a short connector trail that can save a lot of time if needed to cut across or avoid certain obstacles. It has some nice steep uphills/downhills that are sure to please. This one is like 181-I and is easily forgotten about or missed as you're screaming past, especially in the "green months"....
Learn more about 181-K

This short but scenic connector is rated "more difficult," though it rides much easier than the label suggests. The trail is a narrow ATV path that gently traverses across a hillside, winding through the woods with a mellow grade. Big rollers from all the waterbars keep things fun and flowing, and w...
Learn more about Gordon Springs Connector

This short road is an easy drive that is primarily dirt with some paved areas. The road is passable by most vehicles with minimal obstacles to encounter. The end of the road connects with the Georgia Traverse and has several areas to stop along the way for day camping and some time to play in the wa...
Learn more about Ladd Springs Road (221)

Trail 181-I Spur is a spur coming off 181-I. It is another hidden jewel, a lot like 181-I, but at this time, it is missing its marker. It runs from 181-I to 181-H and has some small hills, tight turns, and a little bit of mud to be enjoyed.
Learn more about 181-I Spur

Trail 181-I is a treat that is often overlooked. It's easy to just zip right by this one since it's just off the smooth section of 181-H on both ends. There is an intersection that branches off mid-way that also connects to 181-H, but as of now, there is no number on it.
Learn more about 181-I

This is a fire service road that was somewhat rougher when we visited and there were areas that looked like they were washing out. It doesn't require a 4x4 to traverse. While on this trail, you won't have cell service if you're using Verizon. The fall season is likely to offer some great views, and ...
Learn more about Blue Ridge Trail - Big Frog

Cohutta Wilderness is a recreation area in the Chattahoochie-Occonee national forest. This trail is part gravel and part dirt. It has many challenging spurs to the main route. The main path is maintained by forest service. The nearby Lake Connasauga offers camping, fishing and other family oriented ...
Learn more about Cohutta Wilderness

This is a perfect trail to glimpse broad mountain views in the GA forest or camp out to see the stars. Many trees have been downed from fires and clearing in the past few years, opening up views of the vast rolling hills with mountains in the distance. This in-and-back-out trail is a mix of mostly d...
Learn more about Pleasant Gap FS 17A

Trail FS 630D, also known as Rocky Flats, offers a peaceful ride through vast Georgia Pine and hardwood forests. The majority of the trail is a mix of dirt and embedded stones. Expect some standing water in low-lying areas and ruts following rain. There are several streams that pass under the trail ...
Learn more about Rocky Flats - FS 630D

Forrest Service Road 17B to Murrays Lake is a nice rolling gravel road with a few washouts. This road takes you out to Murrays Lake a nice lake to go put a kayak out on and go fishing in this small mountain lake. There is no cell service in this area.
Learn more about Murray's Lake

Trail 181-D is a lot like Trail C. It connects off of 181-C, circles around, and connects to the end of 181-A. This is a smooth and fun ATV loop that makes a great start to any ride in the Houston Valley ORV Area. The trail surface is mostly packed dirt, with gravel and small rocks pushed off to the...
Learn more about 181-D

This is a tight, winding loop through the forest that can be ridden in either direction with a similar level of ease. It's a narrow ATV trail that snakes through the trees, featuring sharp turns but plenty of flow. The loop includes both gradual and steeper climbs as it traverses across the hillside...
Learn more about 181-E

This is Trail 181-C that goes off to the right at the top of the hill of water bars if you're going counterclockwise. A great, easy warm-up from the staging area, the 181-C follows a wide ATV trail winding tightly through the trees. Expect lots of sharp curves and a few short, steep pitches. The sur...
Learn more about 181-C

This is 181-A and begins off the west side of the paved parking lot. This is a 2-track and an easy trail. It will take you past trails 181-B, 181-C, 181-D, and all the way out to trail 181-E. If you can't do this one, you're going to have a hard time elsewhere.
Learn more about 181-A

This is a fire service road that was somewhat rougher when we visited and there were areas that looked like they were washing out. It doesn't require a 4x4 to traverse. While on this trail, you won't have cell service if you're using Verizon. The fall season is likely to offer some great views, and ...
Learn more about Blue Ridge Trail - Big Frog

This is a perfect trail to glimpse broad mountain views in the GA forest or camp out to see the stars. Many trees have been downed from fires and clearing in the past few years, opening up views of the vast rolling hills with mountains in the distance. This in-and-back-out trail is a mix of mostly d...
Learn more about Pleasant Gap FS 17A

This is a fire service road that was somewhat rougher when we visited and there were areas that looked like they were washing out. It doesn't require a 4x4 to traverse. While on this trail, you won't have cell service if you're using Verizon. The fall season is likely to offer some great views, and ...
Learn more about Sina Branch Road - Big Frog

East Brow Road is an easy single-lane gravel trail that is roughly two miles and takes about half an hour to complete. The road is well-maintained and winds through the forest, with one spot along the trail that could be difficult without higher ground clearance. The trail has a spot where you can s...
Learn more about East Brow Road