Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Earlysville, Virginia

Browns Gap Turnpike, also known as Route 629, is a dead‑end route that terminates at Shenandoah National Park. The route begins as a maintained gravel driveway for roughly the first 10 percent of the trail, with difficulty increasing to about 2/10 due to washouts and channels approximately 6 inches ...
Learn more about Browns Gap Turnpike

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

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

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...
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The Chrisman Hollow Trail, also known as FS 274, connects US 211 at the south end and State Road 674 at the north end of the trail. It takes you to several trailheads, including the Lion's Tale Trail, which offers an ADA-accessible, half-mile trail along the Passage Creek. There are several primitiv...
Learn more about Chrisman Hollow - FS 274

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

Edinburg Gap is a minimally maintained Forest Service Road located in the George Washington National Forest. The road is one vehicle wide with plenty of space to pass and can be accessed by either end. The road passes through one shallow stream and an area of rockier terrain but is still accessible ...
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Coal Road is a 13-mile-long forest service road near Shenandoah Acres Campground and Sherando Lake. Any vehicle type should be able to travel the gravel sections, and the road is paved on either end. You will find many hiking and biking trailheads along the road, the most notable being Cellar Mounta...
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Tillman is a gravel Forest Service Road connecting several other Forest Service Roads to a State Highway. The area includes several reservoirs with fishing and kayaking opportunities. There are several well-traveled hiking trailheads along the route with parking areas. Tillman is a well-maintained g...
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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...
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St. Mary's Road is a trail leading to the parking area for the St. Mary's Wilderness area. It is a short gravel forest road with little to no cell service and a large trailhead parking lot at the end. One vehicle-accessible campsite is located just before the parking lot along the creek, and another...
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This route is one side of the old Shoe Creek Trail that is now gated in the middle at private property. The surface is gravel from the state road to the parking area for the Upper Crabtree Falls and is fairly easily passable. There are a couple of small creek crossings with loose rock before the par...
Learn more about Crabtree Meadows

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

Leading ridge track is a seasonal two way track from North River to Todd Lake Recreation Area. The track is natural dirt surface with minimal gravel maintenance in areas. Several hiking trails cross the area. Several dispersed camping opportunities along the track. A large elevated clearing near the...
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White Oak Draft, also known as State Route 466, is a short gravel road that’s generally well maintained. The surface includes several large potholes, though they’re typically less than 6 inches deep. A shallow creek crossing sits roughly halfway along the trail. Vegetation overgrowth is minimal, and...
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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

Big Mary is an easy-going 2.9-mile gravel forest service road in the George Washington National Forest, perfect for novice offroaders, scenic drivers, and outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the beautiful Appalachian backcountry. Following the scenic corridor of Big Mary Creek, this trail feature...
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This 20-plus miles of George Washington National Forest back roads stretches from Braley Pond to Briery Branch Gap. With the exception of the northern 2.5 miles of the route which is paved, the rest is of the trail is backcountry forest roads. The trail is easy. It is primarily gravel and dirt with ...
Learn more about Reddish Knob

Out-and-back trails are primarily used to access the Appalachian Trail crossing. This is a narrow 2-track that is muddy in places and has numerous short side trails. There are many nice camping spots throughout the length of the trail. Near the start, you'll have limited cell service. The trail cont...
Learn more about Greasy Springs

This route follows along a power line for the most part with lots of scenic views. The lower elevation section is mainly gravel or a natural stone base. The upper section to the intersection at Broad Run Road becomes narrow, steeper, and much rockier. There are several dispersed camping areas along ...
Learn more about Vepco 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

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

FR 1176 leads from Big Piney up to a peak where cell towers can be found. The drive up includes several rocky sections, some steep sections and rock ledges. This trail also provides access to Greasy Springs Trail.
Learn more about FR1176

This short offshoot from Hog Camp Trail leads to the Mount Pleasant Scenic Area with opportunities for hiking and camping.
Learn more about FR51-AT

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

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

FR 1176 leads from Big Piney up to a peak where cell towers can be found. The drive up includes several rocky sections, some steep sections and rock ledges. This trail also provides access to Greasy Springs Trail.
Learn more about FR1176

Big Piney is a gravel road passing through a portion of the George Washington National Forest, offering access to hiking, camping and swimming. The trail is rocky and typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter shallow water crossings and obstacles under 12" on the trail, including ...
Learn more about Big Piney