Trail Overview

Michaux Ridge Road is a scenic, well-maintained gravel route stretching 10 miles along the ridge of South Mountain in Michaux State Forest. Suitable for standard two-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles, this easy drive runs between Big Flat Tower and Buck Ridge Tower, crossing Pennsylvania Route 233. The route offers sweeping views of the surrounding valleys and provides access to popular points of interest, including Chimney Rocks, Sunset Rocks, and Hammonds Rocks. Because the road is smooth and graded, high clearance or specialized off-road equipment is not required. Cell service is unreliable along the ridge, so downloading offline maps is recommended before departure. While open year-round, winter weather can bring snow and ice.

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Difficulty

Ridge Road is an easy drive and very well maintained all year.

Technical Rating

Scott Watkins

Nov 28, 2025

2003 Lexus LX

Open

Normal

Trail is open and very easy. I’d say any vehicle aside from like a lowered sports car can do this trail. Be very careful if you’re on thin street tires though (punctures). The most off-road worthy thing you’ll do on this trail is move over for oncoming traffic a few times. The trail is extremely well maintained as of 11/28/2025. Maybe that’ll change after winter though.

Elmer Flores

Sep 18, 2025

2015 Toyota Tacoma

Open

Dusty

Colin McPheeters

Jul 20, 2025

2004 Lexus GX

Open

Normal

Gravel road with some good views and hiking trails. If you get to the end and continue on ridge rd to mt holly springs it gets rutted in a few places with some shallow water holes and muddy spots.

Elad Ben-Harosh

Jun 08, 2025

Open

Normal

more of a off-road- road used to gain access to camp ground spots, people also live up here so not uncommon to see a little bit of traffic, but this trail can be complete in 2wd for the most parts aside from the switch backs which tend to bank sharply and high angle. good trail and nice view at the top.

Brayden Walker

Apr 21, 2025

Open

DustyWashboard

Max R

Apr 05, 2025

Open

NormalMuddy/Wet

Skyler Russell

Feb 22, 2025

Open

Snow/Ice

icy and really slippery as it warmed up

John W.

Oct 27, 2024

2023 Ford Ranger

Open

Emily Gannon

Oct 22, 2024

Open

Dusty

Gorgeous drive along the ridge

Ron Karper

Oct 20, 2024

Open

Dusty

Lot of people this time of year out to look at the Fall leaves, and small game hunting season has started. Hasn’t rained in 4 weeks, lot of dust.

D'Andre Bynum

Sep 01, 2024

Open

NormalMuddy/Wet

James Hope

Jun 15, 2024

Open

DustyWashboard

Mitch B

Mar 03, 2024

Open

The marked trail on here isn't bad at all. some puddles here and there. If you keep going past the Cold Springs intersection it gets pretty gnarly in spots. Deep washouts, large puddles that aren't avoidable and it is very rocky.

Jon B

Jan 20, 2024

Open

Snow/Ice

Beautiful trail for off roading or an easy trail ride. Encountered about 6-12 inches of snow on the trail. The entire route was previously driven on so the snow was packed but slightly slippery. It was 20 degrees Fahrenheit outside. 4x4 recommended on this trail for poor weather conditions like snow or heavy rain. Many other roads and 4x4 trails run off of Ridge Road if desired. Started at Ridge Rd off of Shippensburg Rd and ended at Hammond’s Rocks with a small detour down Woodrow Rd. Exited the State Forest via Cold Springs Rd to Pine Grove Rd. Did not see any wildlife. Michaux State Forest is beautiful and well maintained. Would so this trail again.

Steve Gray

Jan 06, 2024

Open

Snow/Ice

Very easy road, marking as tech 2 since the snow can make it tricky without 4wd.

Michaux Ridge Road Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

High Clearance
Full Width

Access Description

Michaux Ridge Road is located within Michaux State Forest and is managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). No fees or permits are required to drive this public forest road. It is generally open year-round, though winter weather may make conditions slick, and seasonal maintenance closures can occur.