Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Lake Shore, Maryland

Explore All Beginner Trails Near Lake Shore, Maryland

Fishing Creek to Hawk Point

This is generally an easy gravel trail that winds along and through Fishing Creek. It's about 1.5 vehicles wide, but there are numerous pull-outs to allow opposing traffic to pass. Remote and scenic. There are…
Learn more about Fishing Creek to Hawk Point
Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Frederick Watershed

This is an easy cruise through the Frederick Watershed which is an unmaintained mostly gravel road. It can be done in just about any vehicle however I recommend an off-road oriented vehicle due to persistent…
Learn more about Frederick Watershed
Total Miles
9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Rattlesnake Run

This is one of the first trails you'll hit if you enter Michaux from the south end. It is an unmaintained gravel road with multiple inclines and declines. There are many hiking trail options surrounding…
Learn more about Rattlesnake Run
Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

High Rock Road

A good way into the southern part of Michaux State Forest if coming from the east. This is a largely gravel/shale state forest road that meanders along the west side of the ridge of the…
Learn more about High Rock Road
Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Three Springs Road

Three Springs Road is a short but scenic gravel route winding through the eastern edge of Michaux State Forest along the South Mountain ridge. While not long on its own, it's best considered an extension…
Learn more about Three Springs Road
Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
Best Time
Su / Wi / Fa / Sp

Swift Run Road

Traveling between Old Forge Road and Snowy Mountain Road, Swift Run Road offers a scenic backwoods route through Michaux's rugged heart. This gravel forest road passes key trailheads, including the Climbing Rock Trail, and provides…
Learn more about Swift Run Road
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Staley Road

This is an unmaintained forest road running through Michaux State Forest, and can be accessed from Route 233 as well as Old Forge Road. There is a plethora of hiking and mountain bike trail access…
Learn more about Staley Road
Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

District Road

Meandering between Route 233 and Newman Road, District Road is a serene gravel forest byway through Michaux State Forest. Along the way, it provides prime access to the Carbaugh Reservoir, a tranquil fishing and wildlife-watching…
Learn more about District Road
Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Wirt Road

Wirt Road is a scenic gravel route running from Staley Road to Old Forge Road, cutting through the quiet woodlands of Michaux State Forest. Along the way, it crosses Biesecker Run and Vineyard Run, which…
Learn more about Wirt Road
Total Miles
4.4
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Ridge Road (North)

Ridge Road runs through much of Michaux State Forest. The northern end is known for its access to Hammond's Rocks and for being more challenging than most of the other forest roads here. Accessing Hammond's…
Learn more about Ridge Road (North)
Total Miles
5.9
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Carbaugh Road

Carbaugh Road is a short but significant connector between District Road and Newman Road, winding through a mix of public forest and private land--please be respectful of residents and any posted boundaries. Along this gravel…
Learn more about Carbaugh Road
Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Michaux Ridge Road

Ridge Road is located in Michaux State Forest, Southeast of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. This is a pleasant and peaceful road that tours the northern half of the forest and includes views of the south and the…
Learn more about Michaux Ridge Road
Total Miles
9.6
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Snowy Mountain Road

A short but scenic gravel byway, Snowy Mountain Road connects Swamp Road to Swift Run Road, winding through dense hardwoods to a network of multi-use trails. It offers easy access to the Snowy Mountain Vista,…
Learn more about Snowy Mountain Road
Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Dead Woman Hollow

This road is located in Michaux State Forest, Southeast of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. The road's northern end contains the high point near Big Hill, then decreases in elevation until Dead Woman Hollow is reached. The famous…
Learn more about Dead Woman Hollow
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Oak Road

This forest road in the southwest corner of Michaux State Forest is notable for the Valley View Vista that offers a good view towards the town of Mont Alto to the west. It runs north/south…
Learn more about Oak Road
Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Milesburn Connector

This trail is a section of Milesburn Road connecting Stillhouse Hollow Road to Route 233. It passes along the Long Pine reservoir, as well as the Burch run trail. There are many hiking trail access…
Learn more about Milesburn Connector
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Birch Run

Birch Run Road is located in Michaux State Forest, Southeast of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. The road passes by beautiful scenery, such as Rocky Knob, East Big Flat Ridge, Ram, Strausbaugh, and Sierra Hills. This road connects…
Learn more about Birch Run
Total Miles
4.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Hogshead Road

This forest road is probably best known for Buzzard Rocks Vista near its midpoint, which offers a nice view from the Sliding Rock Mountain across Hairy Springs Hollow to the west. The north end has…
Learn more about Hogshead Road
Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Stillhouse Hollow Road

This forest road features perhaps the best vista in Michaux State Forest. The Dark Hollow Vista is near the western end of this road. It is surprisingly quiet here, and on a recent visit, only…
Learn more about Stillhouse Hollow Road
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Milesburn Road

This is an unmaintained forest road connecting Baltimore Road with Ridge Road in Michaux State Forest. There are many opportunities for hiking, cycling, and sightseeing along this trail. This trail is mainly gravel, with a…
Learn more about Milesburn Road
Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Ridge Road Extension

This is a small section of Ridge Road running through Michaux State Forest. Foliage views are excellent on this trail, so it is best traveled during peak foliage season. There are Appalachian Trail access points…
Learn more about Ridge Road Extension
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Fa

White Oak Ramble

This is a beautiful drive through Weiser State Forest. This route is all gravel, with some steep winding ascents/descents, possible washouts and ruts, and a beautiful streamside picnic area. There are numerous hiking trails, as…
Learn more about White Oak Ramble
Total Miles
7.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Haldeman Tract Air & Space

I recommend entering from Lykens and driving through their nice borough park to get to the eastern end of this track. Expect graded gravel forest service roads that should be passable by any vehicle. At…
Learn more about Haldeman Tract Air & Space
Total Miles
6.6
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 13

Tower City 13 is a long railroad bed left over from the old coal mining days. It goes from Gold Mine Road out to Trail 6. There are plenty of puddles but it is a…
Learn more about Tower City 13
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 6

Tower City 6 is probably the longest trail in this trail network. It goes from Gold Mine Road all the way out to Trail 3. This trail is a railroad bed so it is very…
Learn more about Tower City 6
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 14

This is a dead-end trail that goes up the mountain to what was a coal mining area. You will see the coal mine remnants in the form of pits and piles off to the sides.…
Learn more about Tower City 14
Total Miles
0.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 15

This is a dead-end trail that goes up the mountain to what was a coal mining area. You will see the coal mine remnants in the form of pits and piles off to the sides.…
Learn more about Tower City 15
Total Miles
0.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 7

Tower City 7 is an old railroad bed from Gold Mine Road to Trail 6. There is plenty of forest debris on this trail including logs, branches, and small rocks. Stay off the road as…
Learn more about Tower City 7
Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 8

Tower City 8 is a series of small trails that all connect into one longer trail. Most of this trail is an old bulldozed trail that is dirt with few rocks or obstacles. It can…
Learn more about Tower City 8
Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 11

Trail 11 is a short but challenging green trail. The reason for the rating is that there are a few decent-sized rocks on the sides of the trail. They can be avoided but can be…
Learn more about Tower City 11
Total Miles
0.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

ATV Trails Near Lake Shore, Maryland

Tower City 13

Tower City 13 is a long railroad bed left over from the old coal mining days. It goes from Gold Mine Road out to Trail 6. There are plenty of puddles but it is a…
Learn more about Tower City 13
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 6

Tower City 6 is probably the longest trail in this trail network. It goes from Gold Mine Road all the way out to Trail 3. This trail is a railroad bed so it is very…
Learn more about Tower City 6
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 14

This is a dead-end trail that goes up the mountain to what was a coal mining area. You will see the coal mine remnants in the form of pits and piles off to the sides.…
Learn more about Tower City 14
Total Miles
0.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 15

This is a dead-end trail that goes up the mountain to what was a coal mining area. You will see the coal mine remnants in the form of pits and piles off to the sides.…
Learn more about Tower City 15
Total Miles
0.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 7

Tower City 7 is an old railroad bed from Gold Mine Road to Trail 6. There is plenty of forest debris on this trail including logs, branches, and small rocks. Stay off the road as…
Learn more about Tower City 7
Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 8

Tower City 8 is a series of small trails that all connect into one longer trail. Most of this trail is an old bulldozed trail that is dirt with few rocks or obstacles. It can…
Learn more about Tower City 8
Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

UTV/Side-by-Side Near Lake Shore, Maryland

Tower City 13

Tower City 13 is a long railroad bed left over from the old coal mining days. It goes from Gold Mine Road out to Trail 6. There are plenty of puddles but it is a…
Learn more about Tower City 13
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 6

Tower City 6 is probably the longest trail in this trail network. It goes from Gold Mine Road all the way out to Trail 3. This trail is a railroad bed so it is very…
Learn more about Tower City 6
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 14

This is a dead-end trail that goes up the mountain to what was a coal mining area. You will see the coal mine remnants in the form of pits and piles off to the sides.…
Learn more about Tower City 14
Total Miles
0.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 15

This is a dead-end trail that goes up the mountain to what was a coal mining area. You will see the coal mine remnants in the form of pits and piles off to the sides.…
Learn more about Tower City 15
Total Miles
0.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 7

Tower City 7 is an old railroad bed from Gold Mine Road to Trail 6. There is plenty of forest debris on this trail including logs, branches, and small rocks. Stay off the road as…
Learn more about Tower City 7
Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 8

Tower City 8 is a series of small trails that all connect into one longer trail. Most of this trail is an old bulldozed trail that is dirt with few rocks or obstacles. It can…
Learn more about Tower City 8
Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi