Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near McAlisterville, Pennsylvania

Shade Mountain Road is unique for its length and the access it offers for motorcycles. The road itself is a fairly smooth gravel surface that runs along the ridge of the Shade Mountain from west to east. The steeper climb is from the west up to the ridge and the descent to the east is much more grad...
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Knob Ridge Road is a dead-end road covering roughly 8.5 miles while crossing through state and private property. It is a hard-packed, smooth, dirt road that will turn muddy when wet. It offers a beautiful, scenic, relaxing drive across the mountain ridge with occasional views of New Lancaster Valley...
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This section of Knob Ridge Road is designated as a drivable trail and compared to others in Bald Eagle State Forest not as technical. It is also wider than most, offering views of the stream below, the mountains across the valley, and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities. 4x4 is recommended as p...
Learn more about Knob Ridge Road Drivable Trail

This trail is an in-and-out trail. It is a graded gravel trail. One hiking trail Thick Mountain trail, and a picnic area called Snyder Middleswarth Picnic area. The trail has easy access and drivability in the warm months, difficulty driving in the winter due to snow and ice, with no winter maintena...
Learn more about Swift Run Road

This is an in-and-out trail off of Swift Run Road and can be accessed from the main pavement road. There is a beautiful Vista and hiking trail, called the Kreb Gap trail, that is a dual sport trail. This trail is a graded gravel road that is easy to access and drivability during the warm months, and...
Learn more about Locust Ridge road

Pine Ridge Trail is primarily a graded dirt road. It is an out-and-back road with ample room to turn around. It is an easy ride in the summer months; however, there is no winter maintenance. During times of rain, snow, and ice, the road can become rutted and harder to travel on. Pine Ridge Trail is ...
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High Top Trail Green is primarily a graded gravel road. It is an out-and-back road. There is ample room to turn around. It is an easy ride in the summer months; however, there is no winter maintenance. During times of rain, snow, and ice, the road can become rutted and harder to travel on. High Top ...
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This trail is an in-and-out and comes off of Breininger Gap Road. The road parallels a running stream and has no hiking trails off of this road. It is a graded gravel road within the Bald Eagle State Forest. Easy access and drivability during the warm months, but it may be more difficult during wint...
Learn more about Timber Road

This trail is an in-and-out trail off of Hunter Road. It is a graded gravel road within the Bald Eagle State Forest. There is a picnic area called Rock Spring picnic area. Two hiking trails are off this route: Cold Spring Trail and Little Mountain Trail. Easy access and drivability during the warm m...
Learn more about Short Mountain Road

Hunter Road is a pretty well-maintained gravel road through Bald Eagle State Forest. There are plenty of places to pull off and enjoy the scenery. All along the trail, there are hunting cabins so it could get more traffic during hunting season. Towards the end of the trail, there is a vista with a r...
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This trail is a fun little single track. This is on the easy side of intermediate riding skill. There are no major obstacles, mostly level, no big descents or ascents, and minimal rocks. Start from Hunter Road and side-traverse around the big yellow gate, after which you'll find an easily followed t...
Learn more about Countyline Single Track

The Strongs Improvement Trail runs North to South through Bald Eagle State Forest in Pennsylvania. This trail makes for a fun and scenic drive that follows the contour lines of Strong Mountain. Strongs Improvement offers two spur trails accessed from the north half. This trail doesn't offer any moto...
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This trail is a longer trail and is graded gravel; it is an in-and-out type of trail. The second half of this trail, coming in from the mountain top, has some tighter shelf road that is easily drivable in Summer, Spring, and fall. There is one hiking trail called the white mountain ridge trail. Ther...
Learn more about Weikert Run Road

The Red Ridge Trail runs East to West through Bald Eagle State Forest in Pennsylvania. The trail begins down low in the Treaster Valley and heads Northeast until the Bear Gap Picnic Area. After the picnic area, the Red Ridge Trail bears right and goes up and over Buck Mountain. There are a couple of...
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This trail is an in-and-out trail located in the Bald Eagle State Forest. It is a graded gravel road. There is one hiking trail Horseshoe Bend Trail. Enter this trail from Hunter Road. Easy Access and drivability during the warm months. There is no Winter Maintenance, so it may be more difficult dur...
Learn more about Breininger Gap Road

Horseshoe Bend trail is another short but fun single-track trail. Starting from Hunter Road. It is very easy and relatively flat terrain, about halfway there's a section of rocky descent, which gets a little more difficult as you continue to descend out onto the main road. Try your skill by turning ...
Learn more about Horseshoe Bend Trail

Strongs Mountain Trail is a fun and easy mountain road in Bald Eagle State Forest. It is a very scenic drive throughout and takes you to some beautiful Pennsylvania vistas. After a heavy rain, there will be many large puddles to drive through with a mud-less bottom. It is an unmaintained road but ve...
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Longwell Draft Road is a very straight but pleasant drivable trail in Bald Eagle State Forest. From end to end, there is approximately 850 feet of elevation change and it is gradual along the entire length. The road is comprised of mostly dirt with the occasional rocks and frequent mud puddles. Long...
Learn more about Longwell Draft Road

This is the mid-section for Strongs Mountain Jeep Trail. The Trail starts at the northern terminus with Havice Valley Road. At the junction with Flat Hollow Trail, you will turn left and move uphill through this portion. It's a rocky ascent with plenty of lines to take. The key is to take it slow, a...
Learn more about Strongs Mountain Trail (Mid Portion)

This trail is an in-and-out graded Gravel Road within Bald Eagle State Forest. There are a few areas to camp and picnic. Two Hiking trails off this trail are Boney Hollow Trail and Penns Creek Valley Trail. There is a drivable trail called Longwell draft Road that is interesting, with more dirt and ...
Learn more about Hoofnagle Road

This ATV trail is a narrow path with dense, small pine trees. The sturdy pine branches may hit your machine, as they are not easily breakable. Your machine and body will push through the branches. Following the pine section, you'll encounter two exit options. There's a level exit heading north, and ...
Learn more about ATV Trail 43

150 is also known as the Heart Lake area and the trails that lead to the lake. Part of this is an open field area, but closer to the lake area, it becomes more of a dense pine tree area. There are puddles and washouts along the way.
Learn more about 150A

This is a brief ATV trail connecting between sections. The terrain in these areas is constantly changing, so it's essential to look ahead and ensure the trail is still accessible. Due to ongoing mining activities, spoil piles may be moved, occasionally blocking a trail. Stay attentive to potential c...
Learn more about ATV Trail 44

138 is also known as the sands. In the middle of this loop is a beautiful lake with sandy hill climbs off to the side. There is a lot to do in this area, from hills to mud and water. It is one of the most popular areas but is the furthest from the office.
Learn more about 138

This ATV trail is a narrow path with dense, small pine trees. The sturdy pine branches may hit your machine, as they are not easily breakable. Your machine and body will push through the branches. Following the pine section, you'll encounter two exit options. There's a level exit heading north, and ...
Learn more about ATV Trail 43

150 is also known as the Heart Lake area and the trails that lead to the lake. Part of this is an open field area, but closer to the lake area, it becomes more of a dense pine tree area. There are puddles and washouts along the way.
Learn more about 150A

This is a brief ATV trail connecting between sections. The terrain in these areas is constantly changing, so it's essential to look ahead and ensure the trail is still accessible. Due to ongoing mining activities, spoil piles may be moved, occasionally blocking a trail. Stay attentive to potential c...
Learn more about ATV Trail 44

138 is also known as the sands. In the middle of this loop is a beautiful lake with sandy hill climbs off to the side. There is a lot to do in this area, from hills to mud and water. It is one of the most popular areas but is the furthest from the office.
Learn more about 138