Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Pinesburg, Maryland

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 between Quincy Mountain to the south and the area on the western slope of Oak Knob to the north. It's generally...
Learn more about Oak Road

This is a short but fun side trail located off of Wirt Road. The entire trail is made up of small rocks, ruts, inclines/declines, and loose gravel. The trail is wide enough to avoid pinstripes but not wide enough to pass another vehicle. Expect downed trees any time of year on this trail. 4WD and hi...
Learn more about Biesecker Gap

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 bumps and ruts. There are a variety of activities in the watershed including hiking, mountai...
Learn more about Frederick Watershed

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 offer peaceful streamside views. The road also passes several trailheads popular with hikers, mo...
Learn more about Wirt Road

This is a scenic gravel/dirt drive along the Potomac River! This is one road you'd truly never know existed if you didn't find it on a map. The route begins paralleling the C&O Canal trail, but briefly diverts as it winds up and over some of the gnarly topography of this region. At one point, the ro...
Learn more about Pearre 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 points, making it a popular spot for all outdoor enthusiasts. There are a few inclines and declines tha...
Learn more about Staley Road

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 this trail, with Appalachian Trail access points. During the winter months, 4-wheel drive is sugg...
Learn more about Rattlesnake Run

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, where sweeping views of South Mountain and the Cumberland Valley open up. Along its 1.5-mil...
Learn more about Snowy Mountain 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 access to the well-known climbing destination Shaffer Rocks--a popul...
Learn more about Swift Run Road

Moss road or T-318 cuts through the southern Game lands. Reaching elevations of 1166 Ft traversing the forest and meadows. There is no public camping allowed on this route. Several parking locations are along the trail. If coming from the south look for a sharp turn heading up a gravel road.
Learn more about Moss Road - T-318

Broad Mountain Road runs along the ridge of Broad Mountain in the Bear Valley Tract of Buchanan State Forest. It offers several views of the valley to the west, including a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources-designated vista, a short, rocky hike up from the north end of the trail. The ...
Learn more about Broad Mountain 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 South Mountain. It's notable for having three rustic, dispersed camp sites in a forest that does not have that man...
Learn more about High Rock 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 of High Rock Road, together covering the entire eastern side of South Mountain within the forest...
Learn more about Three Springs 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 byway, you'll find direct access to the Carbaugh Reservoir, a serene spot ...
Learn more about Carbaugh Road

This route features one of the more beautiful and nicely landscaped vistas in all of the Pennsylvania state forests. It's a nice scenic drive that runs along the southern part of Sideling Hill. It's the primary a north/south unpaved route through this forest tract south of US 30. It's an easy and en...
Learn more about Bark 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 destination near the Carbaugh Run Natural Area, home to protected amph...
Learn more about District Road

A fun "drivable trail" for high clearance 4x4 vehicles in the southern part of the Sideling Hill Tract of Buchanan State Forest. Not technical unless weather is a factor, but loose rock and about 750 feet of elevation change make for an enjoyable diversion. Best enjoyed along with West Pittman Road ...
Learn more about Betsy Road

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 points, as well as the Michaux shooting range just off Burch run. The trail is wide enough to pass com...
Learn more about Milesburn Connector

This trail consists of a few overlooks as well as an observation tower. You can begin the trail at Town Hill overlook, and down the mountain until you reach the intersection of Mountain and Cat Point Road. This is an extension of the already existing trail, “MD Green Ridge to Gorge”. Four-wheel driv...
Learn more about Tower Road

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 along this trail, as well as other hiking trail options. Haunted Hollow campsite is on t...
Learn more about Ridge Road Extension

Moss road or T-318 cuts through the southern Game lands. Reaching elevations of 1166 Ft traversing the forest and meadows. There is no public camping allowed on this route. Several parking locations are along the trail. If coming from the south look for a sharp turn heading up a gravel road.
Learn more about Moss Road - T-318

Devils Hole Road, or RT 691 Gravel Road, is an adventure weaving through the heart of the George Washington National Forest. Rocky in sections, with winding forest roads, leads to breathtaking mountain overlooks. Surrounded by towering hardwoods and remote wilderness, the trail delivers a perfect mi...
Learn more about Devils Hole Road

The Parking lot road is a green trail located within the Potomac River Riding Area of Wolf Den Run State Park. This is the main trail into the primary parking area for the Potomac River Riding Area. Potomac River is the southernmost of the three riding areas at Wolf Den Run. Potomac River has a goo...
Learn more about Parking Road

The Coal Haul Road is a green trail that connects the Potomac River and North Hill Riding Areas of Wolf Den Run State Park. Wolf Den Run State Park has a good mix of green and blue, and black trails. It also has a slag pile playground. There are also a few narrow-width trails specifically just for S...
Learn more about Coal Haul Road

Moss road or T-318 cuts through the southern Game lands. Reaching elevations of 1166 Ft traversing the forest and meadows. There is no public camping allowed on this route. Several parking locations are along the trail. If coming from the south look for a sharp turn heading up a gravel road.
Learn more about Moss Road - T-318

Devils Hole Road, or RT 691 Gravel Road, is an adventure weaving through the heart of the George Washington National Forest. Rocky in sections, with winding forest roads, leads to breathtaking mountain overlooks. Surrounded by towering hardwoods and remote wilderness, the trail delivers a perfect mi...
Learn more about Devils Hole Road

The Parking lot road is a green trail located within the Potomac River Riding Area of Wolf Den Run State Park. This is the main trail into the primary parking area for the Potomac River Riding Area. Potomac River is the southernmost of the three riding areas at Wolf Den Run. Potomac River has a goo...
Learn more about Parking Road

The Coal Haul Road is a green trail that connects the Potomac River and North Hill Riding Areas of Wolf Den Run State Park. Wolf Den Run State Park has a good mix of green and blue, and black trails. It also has a slag pile playground. There are also a few narrow-width trails specifically just for S...
Learn more about Coal Haul Road