Trail Overview

Locally known as The Scales, Pine Mountain Road is a gravel and dirt road that connects to the Scales Group Camp. The camping area is on the border of Grayson Highlands State Park and the Mt. Rogers Recreation Area. The route includes a few steep switchbacks, some rock areas, and a few muddy potholes, but nothing a stock vehicle with decent clearance can't handle. The group camp at the top can be rather popular on the weekends, but it's large enough you can usually find a spot to park your rig. On the way up, there is one trailside camping spot (pictured), but it would be tight getting a vehicle off the trail there. For the majority of the route, it's one vehicle wide, but a few spots provide opportunities to pass. Cell service is spotty or nonexistent along the route.

Photos of Pine Mountain

Want to see more?
View All Photos

Difficulty

As long as you navigate around a few of the larger rocks, a stock vehicle will be fine. A couple of the switchbacks are steep and sharp turns, so at a minimum AWD would be nice.

Technical Rating

Trey brewer

Jun 22, 2026

Open

This trail is rough and rocky throughout, making airing down highly recommended for a more comfortable ride. While the trail is not particularly technical, the uneven terrain and exposed rocks favor high-clearance vehicles. Most high-clearance 4WD vehicles should have no trouble reaching the summit and may not need to engage 4WD in dry conditions. Low-clearance crossovers and smaller AWD vehicles will likely struggle with ground clearance and rough sections. The summit features a beautiful camping area shared with Appalachian Trail hikers. Amenities include a vault toilet, multiple rock fire rings, and reliable Verizon cell service. The area offers excellent views and makes a great destination for camping or a scenic day trip.

Jesse Stutts

May 25, 2026

Open

Slightly wet but no deep mud.

Michael Lilly

Mar 29, 2026

Open

A bit rocky. Air down for comfort but 4x4 not needed. Any decent clearance 4x4 can handle this one and beautiful views throughout. Worth the drive.

Mark Henry

Mar 01, 2026

Open

Rocky and Fun. No 4 wheel drive needed.

Michael Byrd

Dec 17, 2025

Open

Easy trail even in the snow

Stephen V

Nov 05, 2025

Open

Dave Helton

Nov 01, 2025

Open

Nova Check

Sep 14, 2025

Open

Starts off a little narrow but opens up after a couple hundred feet. Handful of turn around points and rest areas on the way up. Trail surface is almost entirely rocks the size of footballs. Couple of small creek crossings. (2 inches deep tops)

Ben Mitchell

Jul 17, 2025

Open

It was raining while we were there. Saw 2 different groups of people riding horses. There are pit toilets at the top of the road and hiking/horse trails throughout. One spring next to the road. It is a bumpy road with puddles but overall I enjoyed the road for a quick trip. I wasn’t expecting to have to come back down the way we came in but that was probably me not reading about the road properly.

Patrick Hettle

Jun 04, 2025

Open

Trail is very rocky with lots of little softball size boulders. Slow going or its bouncy and rough. Didn't see any horses but there were a few campers and AT hikers once we got to the top.

Ben Giles

May 09, 2025

Open

Daniel Hobbs

Apr 13, 2025

Open

We didn’t see any horses today.

Ryan Kennedy

Mar 21, 2025

Open

Trail was rocky. Airing down helped a lot with bumpiness. There were a few mud puddles. I saw a stock Subaru and an old stock Hyundai Sonata make it up to the campground, so most vehicles should be fine.

Ty Humphries

Apr 20, 2024

Open

rain early in the morning followed by sun. recommend to air down as the trail is quite bumpy. nothing too technical but a great trail for exploring. My bronco did fine and saw a stock height full size tacoma complete with no wheel spin on a muddy day.

Stephanie burns

Feb 26, 2024

Open

Padlocked gate at 3/4 way through trail