Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Marion, Virginia

Locally known as The Scales, Pine Mountain Road is a gravel and dirt road that connects to the Scales Group Camp. The camping area is on the border of Grayson Highlands State Park and the…
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This road is fairly easy and should not require 4WD unless it is very wet. Wildlife is abundant including deer, grouse, and turkey. The side route to Comer's Rock provides a scenic overlook after a…
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This access road to Pond Mountain Game Land is managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. The road is a well-maintained gravel road but it does have multiple sections that are a 12% grade. There…
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This mostly gravel road is fairly easy and does not require 4WD or significant ground clearance. This road appears to be used primarily for accessing horse camp sites, which are numerous. The largest horse camping…
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J1 serves as the main access route into the Jawbone trail system, beginning at the ATV trailhead and running over 16 miles to State Route 635. The trail starts as a wide, gravel two-lane road…
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J7 is an easy, wide gravel and dirt route that curves south to north through the Jawbone trail system. It travels under the powerlines with open skies above, offering gradual elevation changes as it rolls…
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J36 begins on the west end as a very easy, loose-rock path along a power line route before entering the woods, where the terrain becomes more rugged. The trail transitions to an uneven, shelf-like path…
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This is the only unpaved route across South Holston Mountain. There are many off shoot trails that are open seasonally, but the main route isn't ever closed. You can access the Appalachian Trail from the…
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J16 is an easy trail winding through scenic, lush forest with moderate overgrowth in the center of the track and loose rocks scattered throughout. The terrain is slightly uneven, with the south end featuring a…
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J72 is a short quarter-mile connector between J1 and J35, passing through a lush forest of hickories and oaks. The trail follows a narrow shelf path cut into the hillside with gradual corners and a…
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J15 is a 0.7-mile easy trail connecting two segments of J1. It runs as a wide, flat gravelly dirt path with loose rock and shallow ruts beneath powerlines, following the shelfy edge of a scenic…
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J40 is a narrower trail that climbs from J1 into the woods with a tight switchback at the bottom. The ascent includes shallow ruts and a few sections of loose rock. The trail transitions onto…
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J32 is a narrow, overgrown shelf path cut into the hillside, with a scenic ridge section along the spine of a hilltop. The surface is mostly smooth with shallow ruts, occasional stick debris, and gradual…
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J34 is an easy, gradual trail that begins as a wide, smooth path running alongside oil and gas infrastructure and under powerlines, with occasional mud puddles. The middle section narrows slightly as it enters dense,…
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J33 climbs into the woods off of J34 with semi-steep grades and a series of tighter switchbacks. The surface is mostly smooth, with occasional stick debris, small roots, and infrequent loose rock. As it reaches…
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OP 16 is a 1.7-mile trail in the western section of the system, offering a slightly more difficult ride due to occasional steeper grades, embedded rock layers, and loose rock. It sometimes parallels a ravine…
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J70 starts as a wide, smooth, gravelly route running under the powerlines before entering the forest along the spine of a hilltop, and narrowing up. The surface transitions to loamy soil with some loose sticks…
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J43 branches off from J34 and climbs into the forest on a semi-steep grade. The trail features loose rocks, shallow ruts, and gradual curves, providing a mostly easy ride. However, the incline makes it a…
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Trail W22 is a 3.7-mile, wide and smooth route that runs alongside a ravine and stream, with scenic mossy rock walls adding visual interest. The trail features long, straight sections with excellent visibility and some…
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This is a combination of gravel and dirt. It starts in the Jacobs Creek area and travels through the Cherokee National Forest from Tennessee into Virginia. There are a few camping locations along the way,…
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From the east end, Trail 11 follows a powerline corridor and features a series of steep hill climbs, often presenting split lines where one side offers a more gradual ascent. The surface includes shallow ruts…
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J38 runs through dense woods on a decently wide shelf path cut into a hillside, paralleling a ravine with moisture often present on the trail. The surface includes loose rock and overgrown grass down the…
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J76 follows a ridgeline under dense forest and is primarily an easy trail with a smooth surface and no significant obstacles. It begins with a steep climb from J34 at the southern end but quickly…
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Trail W17 is a wide, smooth route that winds between leafy trees with minimal embedded rock, offering an easy and scenic ride. The trail passes alongside striking rock walls and cliffs, adding visual interest. Visibility…
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OP 15 is a 0.6-mile loop branching off OP 16. It follows a wide, easy path through scenic forest with gradual grades and smooth terrain, crossing Tank Hill Road about halfway through. The trail has…
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OP 34 is a 0.6-mile trail connecting OP 67 to OP 15. It follows a narrow, one-lane shelf path cut into a hillside. The trail runs through lush Appalachian forest, with dense vegetation and thickets…
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Original Pocahontas 40 is a very short, easy connector trail linking OP 67 to OP 92. The trail follows a smooth, one-lane-wide path through dense Appalachian forest with hardly any rocks. Shaded by a thick…
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J4 is a major, wide gravel access road running for 0.9 miles beneath powerlines, primarily serving utility and natural gas infrastructure. It provides easy access to several connecting trails, including the intersection with J31 on…
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OP 32 is a 0.6-mile easy trail that winds through scenic forest with tall ash and maple trees, offering a high canopy and consistent shade. The path is smooth with gradual curves and scattered mud…
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OP 46 is a quarter-mile connector between OP 11 and OP 49. The trail is slightly bumpier with more embedded and loose rock, but remains easy overall. It features a steep descent from south to…
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