Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Roanoke, Virginia

FS 224 is an improved gravel road that is pretty well-maintained, winding up and down and around the mountain, and can be run in either direction. That being said, you should pay attention to washouts…
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Patterson Creek Road is a great spot to find creek-side campsites. There are a half dozen sites scattered along this 7-mile route. Some are just off of the road, and a few are further off…
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Bobblets Gap is a natural surface two-track that starts on the south side of the Blue Ridge near Montvale, Virginia, and traverses up the mountain. At the top, it goes under the Blue Ridge Parkway…
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Near the town of New Castle, VA, are the remnants of many small mining towns. This route passes by the Fenwick Mines area, which has a small recreation day-use area and hiking trails. The route…
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Oi Road offers some nice views as it climbs up the ridgeline. Unlike Patterson Creek Road to the south, there are hardly any spots to get off the road, and any camping would be tight.…
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This is a gravel FS road leading to prime trout water. It's a scenic short path off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Go to the end of the road and take a left onto Jennings Creek.…
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This is a dead-end route leading to a junction of 4 other trails. This route has only 2 dispersed sites. This is a maintained gravel forest service road and is primarily used for horseback riding…
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Overstreet Creek climbs from just over 1,300 feet in elevation to 3,250 ft, where it meets the Blue Ridge Parkway. This four-mile-long route is mostly gravel, but some of the steep sections include larger rocks.…
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Parkers Gap trail is a gravel forest service road, running from Cave Mountain Lake to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The surface is gravel and pot hole strewn. Cell service is spotty throughout the area. Numerous…
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This out-and-back starts in the valley, and after following along Hunting Creek, it tops out at a gate just past the aptly named Camping Gap. There are a couple of small campsites near the bottom,…
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Petites Gap descends the northern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the parkway. After descending a few switchbacks, it parallels a fork of Elk Creek until leaving the National Forest. There are a couple…
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Bailey Gap and Butt Mountain are two trails that are near the Mountain Lake Lodge, which was made famous by the movie "Dirty Dancing". Both trails are beginner-friendly, with Butt Mountain being the easier of…
Learn more about Bailey Gap to Butte Mountain

Rattlesnake Trail is a 0.5-mile ATV trail that provides smooth, easy access from the large Rattlesnake Trailhead parking lot off State Highway 130 to the South Pedlar loop. It features large water bars and fast,…
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South Pedlar is a 10.5-mile ATV loop trail in George Washington National Forest offering a fast and flowy ride through mossy woodlands. The wide, well-maintained trail features a smooth surface with scattered loose rocks and…
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Terrapin Trail is a short, 0.6-mile connector linking the South Pedlar Trailhead parking area off State Highway 130 to the main South Pedlar loop. This easy, smooth trail is very wide with no obstacles, consistent…
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Lone Mountain Trail is a 1.8-mile easy connector that cuts across the South Pedlar ATV loop, allowing riders to create shorter route options. The trail winds gradually through a beautiful forest dominated by eastern hardwoods,…
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Piney Trail is a 0.9-mile gradual ascent when traveling west to east, serving as a useful cutoff across the South Pedlar loop to shorten your ride. The trail is wide and smooth with well-placed waterbars,…
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Lasso Trail is a 2.6-mile spur off the north end of the South Pedlar loop, forming a lasso-shaped route that adds a scenic extension to your ride. The trail is wide and smooth throughout, with…
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Otter Trail is a 1-mile loop that branches off the South Pedlar Trail, offering riders a short detour to change up the pace or add a bit of mileage. Like the other trails in the…
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A seasonal forest route that traces along the Blue Ridge Parkway at a lower elevation. The surface is natural dirt with rocks, mud, and stream crossings. A tunnel around the mid-point passes under the BRP.…
Learn more about Enchanted Creek

This trail is a maintained gravel road that follows Irish Creek and offers multiple large camping areas with access to the water. It provides an easy and scenic drive, especially during the fall season. Gates…
Learn more about Little Irish Road - FS 311

Pedlar River is a basic trail in Virginia's George Washington National Forest. The trail is a maintained Forest Service road with a largely gravel surface and occasional small rocky areas. The trail is two-way, with…
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The northern end of Shady Mountain Road starts just east of the Blue Ridge Parkway near the town of Buena Vista. It travels mostly south towards the Lynchburg Reservoir for 7.5 miles. Along the route,…
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This trail is mostly graded gravel, with some dirt and a few rocky sections. There are multiple water features, small waterfalls along the trail, one-lane bridges, and scenic waysides. There are dispersed campsites in abundance…
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This is a rocky fire road in the George Washington National Forest, connecting Highway 60 to Wiggins Hill Road. It is typically unmaintained after rain or snow and you may encounter shallow water crossings and…
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Hog Camp Road provides access to a variety of hiking and camping opportunities in the George Washington National Forest. The south end is well traveled and easily passable, however north of the Mount Pleasant Scenic…
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This forest road goes through part of the Monongahela National Forest and is an easy drive for any truck, small SUV, 4x4, or SxS. Beginning across the street from Stillwell Park, it shares an entrance…
Learn more about Monday Lick Rd (FS1002)

Big Piney is a gravel road passing through a portion of the George Washington National Forest, offering access to hiking, camping and swimming. The trail is rocky and typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You…
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The main road through Kairos starts on Shumate Falls Road as a paved road with a really steep grade. It's a bit tight and windy in the beginning, but still manageable for RVs, you just…
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This short offshoot from Hog Camp Trail leads to the Mount Pleasant Scenic Area with opportunities for hiking and camping.
Learn more about FR51-AT