Trail Overview
Tucked within the picturesque Dave's Hollow trail system, FS 31174 is a highly accessible, single-lane dirt road winding through a majestic, towering pine forest. Unlike other transit routes in the immediate area that strictly ban overnight stays, this specific 1.4-mile corridor serves as a dedicated, managed dispersed camping zone. However, explorers must adhere to a strict local regulation: camping is explicitly limited to officially designated, numbered sites only. These clearings are easy to spot, marked clearly by brown wooden Forest Service posts (such as Site 13). During the spring and fall shoulder seasons, drivers will navigate past incredibly scenic, lingering snow patches clinging to the soft forest soil along the track's shoulders. The drive offers tranquil woodland views with small, serene clearings, providing excellent tree canopy shade and a peaceful atmosphere just minutes away from the nearby national park boundaries.
Difficulty
FS 31174 strictly earns a Level 1 Very Easy rating. The terrain is exceptionally flat, well-maintained, and consists of a straightforward dirt mix without any intimidating ruts, severe washouts, or technical rock obstacles. Because of its remarkably smooth and welcoming nature, this designated camping corridor is easily passable by virtually any vehicle on the market, making it an excellent choice for 2WD passenger cars, standard AWD crossovers, and large RVs or low-clearance trailers looking for a quiet campsite. The only minor consideration is navigating slushy snow patches or mild mud on the shoulders if visiting immediately after a spring thaw or late fall snowstorm.
