Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Explore All Beginner Trails Near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

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…
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Total Miles
5.9
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

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…
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Total Miles
9.6
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

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…
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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…
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Total Miles
6.6
Tech Rating
1 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…
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Total Miles
2.7
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…
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Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Elk Hill Road

Elk Hill Road is a rugged gravel road cutting through the remote stretches of Tuscarora State Forest, offering travelers sweeping ridge views, dense forest scenery, and access to several secluded hiking trails. This backcountry route…
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Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Laurel Run Road

Laurel Run Road is a scenic gravel route that winds through the quiet beauty of the historic Henry Valley in Tuscarora State Forest. Following the path of its namesake stream, the road passes several notable…
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Total Miles
13
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi / Su

Meadows Road

Meadows Road offers a peaceful gravel drive through the heart of Tuscarora State Forest, connecting to Laurel Run Road at both its eastern and western ends. Along the way, you'll find several designated roadside campsites…
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Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp / Wi

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…
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Total Miles
4.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

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…
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Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Blain Vista Trail

The Little Valley Road runs east to west through Tuscarora State Forest in Pennsylvania. This road makes for an easy and relaxing drive. Little Valley Road offers beautiful views from the top of Conococheague Mountain…
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Total Miles
7.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

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…
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Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Fa

Cowpens Road

Cowpens Road is a short, quiet gravel trail connecting 3 Square Hollow Road to Laurel Run Road, winding through the heart of Tuscarora State Forest. This scenic route passes by more of the forest's hiking…
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Total Miles
2.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su / Wi

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…
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Total Miles
2.7
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…
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Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

3 Square Hollow Road

3 Square Hollow Road is a scenic gravel route winding through Tuscarora State Forest, offering access to a variety of hiking trails and landmarks. Along the way, you'll pass the historic 1956 crash site of…
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Total Miles
7.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Wi / Sp

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…
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Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
Best Time
Su / Wi / Fa / 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…
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Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

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…
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Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Little Knob

The Little Knob Road runs East to West through Tuscarora State Forest in Pennsylvania. This road makes for an easy and relaxing drive. The road offers beautiful views from the top of Little Knob. Two…
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Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Second Narrows Road

Second Narrows Road winds through the Tuscarora State Forest, offering scenic access to numerous hiking trails--including the renowned 250-mile Tuscarora Trail. This quiet forest road is popular with hikers, overlanders, and campers alike, with several…
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Total Miles
4.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Wi / 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…
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Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Hemlock Road

The Hemlock Road runs East to West through Tuscarora State Forest in Pennsylvania. This road makes for an easy and relaxing drive. Hemlock Road offers beautiful views of the Hickory Ridge & Fowler Hollow Overlooks.…
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Total Miles
8.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Germantown Road

The Germantown Road runs North to South through Tuscarora State Forest in Pennsylvania. This road makes for an easy and relaxing drive. Germantown Road offers beautiful views of Conococheague Mountain, as well as Blue Mountain…
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Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
2 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…
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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…
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Total Miles
1.7
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…
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Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
2 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.…
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Total Miles
0.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tower City 22

This dead-end trail branches off of the corner of the parking lot. It is a skidder path left from the logging with some small obstacles and shallow puddles. The trail is just a short slow…
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Total Miles
0.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

ATV Trails Near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

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 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 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 22

This dead-end trail branches off of the corner of the parking lot. It is a skidder path left from the logging with some small obstacles and shallow puddles. The trail is just a short slow…
Learn more about Tower City 22
Total Miles
0.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

UTV/Side-by-Side Near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

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 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 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 22

This dead-end trail branches off of the corner of the parking lot. It is a skidder path left from the logging with some small obstacles and shallow puddles. The trail is just a short slow…
Learn more about Tower City 22
Total Miles
0.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi