Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Belmont Estates, Virginia

This Forest Service road has beautiful views of the Appalachian Mountains and 4WD is not required to see them. You will see several campsites right off the road, but there's one with a spectacular view of the mountains at 38.58666, -79.05788. This campsite is large enough for several rigs to set up ...
Learn more about FSR 72 Long Run Road

Hone Quarry recreation area is a dead end trail passing by a reservoir. The trail starts paved from the state highway passing by day use picnic areas and a pay campground with amenities. The trail continues to the reservoir with fishing and kayaking opportunities. After passing the reservoir the tra...
Learn more about Hone Quarry

This is an offshoot of Slate Lick Run, primarily used for hunting access. The terrain is mainly gravel with a few mud holes, washouts, and a small creek crossing. There are a few dispersed campsites along this route, with fishing options as well. Generally, any high-clearance vehicle can traverse th...
Learn more about Hog Pen Run - FS 1279

This is a scenic route through George Washington National Forest. You will find great views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, as well as many dispersed camp sites along this route. There are also hunting and fishing options throughout as well. Terrain is gravel, with a few shallow mud holes....
Learn more about Slate Lick Run - FS 230

Maintained gravel forest service road. This route includes numerous hiking trailheads. The southern portion of the route has very spotty cell service, which improves in the northern portion. The northern portion includes many dispersed camping areas located along a small creek. The route is well-tra...
Learn more about Cub Run

This out-and-back trail is a turn off of Briery Branch Road (paved) and is a rocky and often muddy drive along Briery Branch Creek. The majority of the trail is in a flood plain, so it is prone to possible high water, flood damage, and muddy conditions. There is a creek crossing which will be 5 to 8...
Learn more about Briery Branch Trail - FS 924

This trail offers scenic views of the mountains as you travel along the ridge. There are several dispersed campsites large enough to fit multiple vehicles with existing fire rings and great views. The trail is relatively smooth and can be driven in fair weather by most vehicles. The connection to Ve...
Learn more about Gauley Ridge Forest Road

Tillman is an easy, scenic 5.5-mile forest road in George Washington National Forest, perfect for beginners, passenger vehicles, and those seeking quick access to prime Appalachian outdoor recreation. This well-maintained gravel route, also known as Forest Road 101, winds through a lush mountain lan...
Learn more about Tillman

This out-and-back trail leads to a quiet spot near a rocky stream, offering a peaceful place to relax or camp. A campsite is located partway up Feedstone Mountain, though the surrounding grass can be tall. The route is not especially difficult and is suitable for most four-wheel drive vehicles, but ...
Learn more about Feedstone Mountain

Flagpole Knob is located in the George Washington National Forest, along the border of Virginia and West Virginia. Open year-round, access to Flagpole Knob can be from Switzer Lake Road, Union Springs, or Briery Branch Gap. The route shown begins on Switzer Lake Road off Hwy 33, 20 miles west of Har...
Learn more about Flagpole Knob

Vepco Road is an ideal route for intermediate offroaders looking for a scenic mountain traverse that combines easy cruising with moderately challenging climbs along a power line corridor. Spanning approximately 12.1 miles through the George Washington National Forest, this trail climbs from a minimu...
Learn more about Vepco Road

Great views along the ridge off to the west. Rating 2 out of 10 is easily manageable with a high clearance 4x4 (examples: Colorado ATX, Trailboss, Rubicon). Some rough terrain, but nothing you can’t manage with a lifted 4x4 jeep or truck. This is a narrow trail that would require coordination to pas...
Learn more about Bother Flagpole Knob Trail

Leading Ridge is an approachable and scenic 3.5-mile seasonal route perfect for beginners, overland enthusiasts, and families looking to explore the George Washington National Forest. Connecting North River to the Todd Lake Recreation Area, this point-to-point dirt road offers a peaceful drive throu...
Learn more about Leading Ridge

Dead end route to a mountain pond. This route gradually climbs the mountain and ends at multiple locked gates. The route has some exposed base stone and muddy sections but generally maintained gravel forest service route. The route follows a creek with several dispersed camping areas along the creek...
Learn more about Emerald Pond

This route will take you along the side of the mountain with beautiful views of Appalachia. This trail feels like an East Coast shelf road since it is mainly single track with only a few places to pass oncoming vehicles. This road follows the WV-VA border and is only accessible 10/01-01/15.
Learn more about FSR #85-2 Hall Spring Road

This is a short route connecting Fort Seybert Trail to Long Run Road, or vise versa. It consists mostly of gravel, small golf ball-sized rocks, and minor ruts. Any vehicle with decent ground clearance will have no problems. There are many campgrounds on the surrounding trails, with a few being on th...
Learn more about Seybert Connector

This is a gravel access route leading to the Staunton Dam, with access to North River Campground as well. The terrain is maintained gravel, but the road is subject to flooding during wet seasons. There are bathrooms with vault toilets along this route, as well as numerous dispersed campsites aside f...
Learn more about North River Road

This is a short but rough and muddy track through George Washington National Forest. You will encounter steep inclines and declines as well as a few unavoidable mud holes. This is an out-and-back trail ending on private property. There are a few campsites along the way, and cell service is spotty th...
Learn more about Cowger Ridge - FS 1701

This is a short gravel access route to beautiful Elkhorn Lake. The lake offers options for recreational activities such as boating, kayaking, and fishing. Although there are no campsites on this specific route, you can find many in the surrounding area. There is no cell service in the area.
Learn more about Elkhorn Lake

This is a short but fun offshoot of Stoney Run in the George Washington National Forest. There are multiple deep mud holes, washouts, and a shallow creek crossing as well. 4WD and high clearance are definitely recommended for this trail. There is no cell service on this trail, nor in the surrounding...
Learn more about Waggy Run

Great views along the ridge off to the west. Rating 2 out of 10 is easily manageable with a high clearance 4x4 (examples: Colorado ATX, Trailboss, Rubicon). Some rough terrain, but nothing you can’t manage with a lifted 4x4 jeep or truck. This is a narrow trail that would require coordination to pas...
Learn more about Bother Flagpole Knob Trail

Tuckaho Road is a short, 0.9-mile gravel road managed by the U.S. Forest Service within George Washington National Forest. The surface is smooth and well-maintained, suitable for full-width 4×4 vehicles, high-clearance rigs, SxS, ATVs, dirt bikes, and even non-4x4 vehicles. There are no major obstac...
Learn more about Tuckaho

Devils Hole Road, or RT 691 Gravel Road, is an adventure weaving through the heart of the George Washington National Forest. Rocky in sections, with winding forest roads, leads to breathtaking mountain overlooks. Surrounded by towering hardwoods and remote wilderness, the trail delivers a perfect mi...
Learn more about Devils Hole Road

A dirt road with many beautiful views of the mountains, grassy fields, and wildlife while you climb the mountain on such a beautiful road. This road leads you to the Spruce Knob. On the way up this trail, you will come across many side trails that look like something that could be fun to explore. Th...
Learn more about Spruce Mountain Trail

Great views along the ridge off to the west. Rating 2 out of 10 is easily manageable with a high clearance 4x4 (examples: Colorado ATX, Trailboss, Rubicon). Some rough terrain, but nothing you can’t manage with a lifted 4x4 jeep or truck. This is a narrow trail that would require coordination to pas...
Learn more about Bother Flagpole Knob Trail

This route will take you along the side of the mountain with beautiful views of Appalachia. This trail feels like an East Coast shelf road since it is mainly single track with only a few places to pass oncoming vehicles. This road follows the WV-VA border and is only accessible 10/01-01/15.
Learn more about FSR #85-2 Hall Spring Road

Tuckaho Road is a short, 0.9-mile gravel road managed by the U.S. Forest Service within George Washington National Forest. The surface is smooth and well-maintained, suitable for full-width 4×4 vehicles, high-clearance rigs, SxS, ATVs, dirt bikes, and even non-4x4 vehicles. There are no major obstac...
Learn more about Tuckaho

Devils Hole Road, or RT 691 Gravel Road, is an adventure weaving through the heart of the George Washington National Forest. Rocky in sections, with winding forest roads, leads to breathtaking mountain overlooks. Surrounded by towering hardwoods and remote wilderness, the trail delivers a perfect mi...
Learn more about Devils Hole Road