Trail Overview

This trail begins in the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest and ends at Bear Swamp Hill Loop. The trail runs northeast, turns south, and transitions southwest. The beginning is located on Route 72, turning into the forest, and ends at the Atsion Ranger Station. It provides a 26-mile ride through the dense forests. The trail is mostly easy, composed of dirt and gravel roads that include water crossings. Along the route, there are also hiking trails, campsite locations, and several smaller trails and connections to other sections. This route can be completed in either direction; be courteous to those traveling in the opposite direction or joining from other parts of the forest. For many parts of the year, this area has water crossings. Stay to the sides or utilize bypasses.

Photos of Brendan T. Byrne to Bear Swamp Hill

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Difficulty

This trail is intermediate; there's uneven or rutted dirt trail in some places with potential for sandy washes. Water crossings can get as high as 18 inches. There's potential for mud holes and trail obstacles up to 12 inches, including short, steep grades. Roads are typically one vehicle wide with places to pass.

Technical Rating

Freddy Conde

May 07, 2026

Open

Nice trail which did have some tight sections where there were potential for pin stripes. Some mud wholes were dry and some were muddy with the option to avoid them. Connects to other trails which was nice.

Dante B

Jan 19, 2026

Open

Easy to traverse. Plenty of ways to avoid large mud holes. Most large puddles were 2 1/2ft deep.

Daniel Riccardi

Nov 28, 2025

Open

Ron Karper

Oct 26, 2025

Open

Was very dry, although I could see a lot of spots that hold water but most have bypasses. The narrow sections aren’t bad because the sand is compacted but it’s very fine and loose whenever it opens up. I ran 18 PSI and popped a bead going too fast.

frank Tony

Oct 12, 2025

Open

During a rainy day its a lot of fun, you can go around the water if you choose to. I have a stock 25 Tacoma and was able to go thru the water with minor issues, with a jeep and mud tires it was no problem.

Jackson Raimondi

Sep 20, 2025

Open

Super quiet trail before hunting season kicks off in full swing. Did go after a day of rain. With rain this trail has quite a few washout areas that can get pretty deep. I run 35s with a 2.5" lift and the water level was up to my doors through some of them. Just make sure to bring a probe to measure them before running through as they can get a little sketchy. But a great easy trail overall especially during the dry times.

Nikita Chernetskii

Jul 27, 2025

Open

Great trail. Mostly easy with some harder areas due to mud/standing water. If you run the trail notrh to south, after mostly easy driving, you will encounter standing water. Most of the puddles have solid bottom so traction is not a problem, but there are a few that got rutted out and are very sketchy. I highly recommend to get out and stick probe or walk the puddles if you have waders. There are some go arounds but they are extremely tight for most of the vehicles.

Octavio Agron

Jun 01, 2025

Open

Pretty easy flat sandy roads for most of the trail… occasional “puddles” that are definitely a bit more challenging, managed to bend my front plate which has got to be 18-24” off the ground in one of the muds pits. So would definitely recommend good XT/MT tires if you plan on going in the deep spots (also worth mentioning it had rained about a 1” or so the day prior

Ryan Dewson

May 23, 2025

Open

decent size tree down that also fell across the go around for that mud puddle. seems to be a outer cut go around the tree now. otherwise if puddles, you must go through. but passable.

Evan H

Mar 08, 2025

Open

Pretty deep and muddy puddles and alot of soft sand. It was a bit of an adventure given my vehicle. Very scenic trail punctuated with some poorly maintained pavement.

Kyle Minissale

Feb 12, 2025

Open

Simple and wide trail that can be accomplished by anything with decent ground clearance and AWD. After recent snow and rain the trail was a bit wet and muddy in spots but I never had to leave 2WD. Enjoyable spot to cruise around for a quick trip after work.

Jenna Cooper

Jan 18, 2025

Open

Ice buildup in many of the water crossing areas, otherwise typical conditions.

Santiago Grajales

Jan 05, 2025

Open

Great trail, a few puddles (some frozen) and part of the trail is very narrow with branches that could potentially scratch the car but overall all good

Adam Lachacz

Dec 01, 2024

Open

Pretty easy trail overall. Couple water crossings but nothing a high clearance 4x4 can’t handle

Alex Gall

Nov 23, 2024

Open

Quiet day not a lot of people out here, most hiking and parked on the sides. Some water holes a few feet in length and no more than a foot deep with most being only a few inches.