Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Springfield, West Virginia

This is a scenic route through Green Ridge State Forest. It features steep inclines and declines as well as mild ruts. At the top of this trail, you can find Banner Overlook with beautiful views, as well as group campsite seven. Four-wheel drive is recommended during the winter months as the incline...
Learn more about Mertens Mainline

Named for the Merten family who owned orchards in this region during the late 19th and early 20th century, the majority of Mertens Avenue is a rough but generally well-maintained gravel road. The road surface is primarily rough rock in almost a cobblestone orientation, which can give a washboard-lik...
Learn more about Mertens Avenue

This is an unmaintained forest road running along the Potomac River in a loop, with access to numerous camp sites. It passes through Bonds Landing, which is an access road to the C&O Canal bike trail, as well as the Potomac River. The trail itself is a mix of small rocks and dirt, and 4WD is recomme...
Learn more about Kasecamp Loop

This gravel and dirt trail connects Wallitzer Road to Mertens Avenue and features tight switchbacks along with overgrown vegetation during the spring and summer months. Wider vehicles may experience pinstriping. Four-wheel drive is recommended due to the inclines and declines, which can become slick...
Learn more about Gordon Road

This is an awesome dirt road in Green Ridge State Forest. There are several deep rutted mud holes (smelly mud!) and a historic cemetery along the way. It's rated a 3 just because of the unavoidable mud holes. This is fun in either direction and one you don't want to miss on your trip to Green Ridge!
Learn more about Poly Neil

This is a short but fun out-and-back trail off of Dug Hill Road, ending at a gated off field. The trail is all dirt, with numerous ruts and washouts. There are a few very secluded campsites along this trail. During the wet season, there are many mud holes and deep ruts. 4WD is recommended for this t...
Learn more about Howards Trail

This is a fun rutted dirt climb with lots of puddles (none very mucky). This beautiful trail can be enjoyed by any vehicle with good tires and ground clearance, though the climb at the beginning could be very slick after a recent rain or snow! There are no real obstacles to speak of, other than pote...
Learn more about Have a Piclic

This gravel and dirt road connects Frank Davis Road with Carpenter Road on the northern side of Green Ridge State Forest. Dispersed camping sites are located along the route, and a swimming hole can be found at the intersection of Carpenter Road and 15 Mile Creek Road. Four-wheel drive is not needed...
Learn more about Frankie Carpenter

This is a wide, freshly graded gravel road with massive incline changes. Portions of the trail can be steep at times. As you follow the gorge, you will pass the camp spots along the river. There are beautiful overlooks and multiple creekside camp spots. It is not recommended doing this trail in wint...
Learn more about MD Green Ridge to Gorge Trail

This dirt and gravel trail runs through Green Ridge State Forest and includes a few small washouts along with several steep climbs and descents. Multiple dispersed campsites can be found along the route, and the area is popular for hunting. Four-wheel drive is only recommended during the winter mont...
Learn more about Treasure Road

This trail is an unmaintained forest road consisting mainly of gravel and dirt. It is the connecting road from Old Cumberland Road to 15 Mile Creek Road. There are multiple dispersed camping sites along this road, as well as hunting options. 4WD is not required for this trail.
Learn more about Double Pine

This trail is a mainly dirt/gravel forest road. There are a few offshoots with dispersed camping sites and hiking options. During the winter months, 4WD is recommended due to the inclines and declines, which can be slick with snow or ice on the ground. During Spring, Summer, and Fall, this can be dr...
Learn more about Perrin Road

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

Hornet descends out the back forest of George Washington National Forest to Hawk Campground. Many dispersed campsites can also be found past the Hawk Recreation and Picnic area. The road down is mostly gravel with many washouts of clay and mud exposing ruts and rocks. This is a scenic and secluded a...
Learn more about Hornet

This trail is a short scenic route through Buchanan State Forest with options for hiking, camping, and sightseeing. On this trail, you can find beautiful views the entire time. The trail is mostly packed dirt, rocks, and gravel. 4WD is recommended throughout the winter months, as there are a few inc...
Learn more about Mount Zion

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

Dry Gap is a short step, out and back trail climbing along a ridge leading to a cell tower. The beginning climb is the most challenging part due to its steep nature; 4WD is recommended. The sweeping views from the ridge are incredible when no leaves are on the trees following the border of Virginia ...
Learn more about Dry Gap Ridge

This is a gravel road with many primitive camping spots and beautiful views of the mountains around you. It's not technical, but it's a great trail to be out in nature and even find time to camp along the trail. There is a small creek that you'll see in the beginning.
Learn more about Squirrel Gap Road

Hawk Run is a meandering forest road that crosses through some private property as it climbs Spring Mountain along the border of Virginia and West Virginia. The road is mostly gravel with some dirt and clay in good condition with a few potholes and washouts. It crests at an elevation of over 2,000ft...
Learn more about Hawk

Vances Cove trail is a meandering gravel road starting at Cold Spring Gap. Descending into the valley along cold spring creek. The road can become washed out in some areas after heavy rain, as the trail so closely follows it. Tight and narrow, the trail winds down to an intersection at Vances Cove, ...
Learn more about Vances Cove

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

This short connector trail is a green trail located within the North Hills Riding Area of Wolf Den Run State Park. It connects blue trails 1102 and 1101. North Hill is the northernmost of the three riding areas at Wolf Den Run. North Hill has a good mix of green and blue trails. It has one black tra...
Learn more about Connector

Trail 1107 is a green trail located within the North Hills Riding Area of Wolf Den Run State Park. North Hill is the northernmost of the three riding areas at Wolf Den Run. North Hill has a good mix of green and blue trails. It has one black trail as well. There are also a few narrow-width trails sp...
Learn more about 1107 Green

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

This short connector trail is a green trail located within the North Hills Riding Area of Wolf Den Run State Park. It connects blue trails 1102 and 1101. North Hill is the northernmost of the three riding areas at Wolf Den Run. North Hill has a good mix of green and blue trails. It has one black tra...
Learn more about Connector

Trail 1107 is a green trail located within the North Hills Riding Area of Wolf Den Run State Park. North Hill is the northernmost of the three riding areas at Wolf Den Run. North Hill has a good mix of green and blue trails. It has one black trail as well. There are also a few narrow-width trails sp...
Learn more about 1107 Green