Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Smithfield, West Virginia

River Road

A county dirt track running primarily along the Shavers Fork River in Randolph and Tucker counties. The majority of the track lies in Monongahela NF. Careful attention should be paid to private property boundaries along…
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Total Miles
24.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Parsons to Stone Lake Run

This beautiful twisting winding country gravel road leads from Parsons to Stone Lake Run and eventually down to Bear Haven Campgrounds in Otter Creek Recreational Area. Many gorgeous rock overhangs narrow shelf roadways entire route…
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Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Canyon Rim Road

This route travels from just outside Thomas, WV connecting back to WV 48. The route is not well maintained and has varying terrain. Mud and natural rock make up the base with some small washes…
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Total Miles
8.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Canaan Loop

Canaan Loop is a 2 way trail passing through the Monongahela National Forest entering or exiting from either WV 32 or Black Water Falls State Park. A mix of dense rhododendron, evergreen, and hardwood foliage…
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Total Miles
13.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp

Old Mine

Maintained gravel forest service route that travels from the Cheat Bridge area to US 250. This section was once a large strip. The route passes along the Cheat River and then up in elevation with…
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Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Mower East

This a seasonal route that runs from the outskirts of Cass, WV across the mountain to Cheat Bridge. The higher elevation is dominated by dense spruce forest, moss, and ferns. The route is a maintained…
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Total Miles
17.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Osceola Spruce Knob

The route travels primarily through Monongahela NF on maintained FS gravel roads. A section of the route passes through private land and rolling farmland on gravel road. The accent from the Forest Service Road to…
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Total Miles
26.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Trans American Trail WV

Some of the West Virginia TAT. Started in Marlington WV and went to Williams River, Planned on going all the way to Sutton WV but due to flood damage part of this trail is expected…
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Total Miles
19.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Nile Road to Gauley River

Short but fun little trail leading from Nile Road in Persinger WV, to the Gauley River. During the downhill journey you will see some of the finest of colors during prime season that West Virginia…
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Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Highland Scenic Highway

The Highland Scenic Highway is a beautiful corridor through Monongahela National Forest. This designated National Scenic Byway extends 43 miles from Richwood to US Route 219, north of Marlinton, WV. It has four developed scenic…
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Total Miles
27.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi / Su

The Road Across The Sky

The Road Across The Sky, FR75, is in Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. The road runs North-South through the Dolly Sods Wilderness. The Bear Rocks is on the summit of the plateau, and completely necessary…
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Total Miles
14.6
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Nettie to Richwood

If you like dirt roads this place is for you, miles upon miles of dirt/gravel roads. Took this route in about 3.5 hours almost 40 miles through some of the pretties country Nicholas Co WV…
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Total Miles
35.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Panther Mountains

This is a gravel road along The Gauley River National Rec Area. It has access to Gauley river, and multiple hiking trails including the stairway to heaven, multiple water crossings and beautiful waterfalls. This is…
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Total Miles
9.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Meadow & Gauley Rivers Access Trail

This trail was developed from old railroad tracks, making it perfect for various activities. Plenty of primitive camping sites along the river. There are two old railroad tunnels and multiple railroad bridges that you can…
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Total Miles
17.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Sludge Ponds to Witcher

Mild dirt terrain, gravel mix with some mud, but the holes are small. It may become slick if wet, partial clay. You will find county road access, with most of the route being public county…
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Total Miles
14.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su

Snake Island to Cavendish

The trail is easy and can be made by any stock 4x4 vehicle with adequate ground clearance. What makes this trail significant and worthy of a ride is it runs along the Meadow River which…
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Total Miles
6.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Westside Road

Westside Road travels along the western slope of Shenandoah mountain in WV. Be respectful while travelling through private property, from WV Co Route 34 to the National Forest boundary. The route is generally dirt with…
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Total Miles
12.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Brandywine Recreation Area

Brandywine Recreation Area is a national forest fee area located just off Route 33 in West Virginia. The area has a reservoir with a sandy swimming area and is accessible for kayaking and fishing. All…
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Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Reddish Knob

This 20-plus miles of George Washington National Forest back roads stretches from Braley Pond to Briery Branch Gap. With the exception of the northern 2.5 miles of the route which is paved, the rest is…
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Total Miles
18.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Flagpole Knob

Flagpole Knob is located in the George Washington National Forest, along the border of Virginia and West Virginia. Open year round, access to Flagpole Knob can be from Switzer Lake Road, Union Springs or Briery…
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Total Miles
12.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Vinton County Tunnel Tour Part 3

This trail is Wikesville to Cone/Appalachia Highway Vinton County Tunnel Loop East. This starts at Wikesville Ohio, this section runs counterclockwise north through Vinton County stopping at Moonville Tunnel and Kings Hollow Tunnel which was…
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Total Miles
21.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Hone Quarry

Hone Quarry recreation area is a dead end trail passing by a reservoir. The trail starts paved from the state highway passing by day use picnic areas and a pay campground with amenities. The trail…
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Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Amish Lumber Mills

These are some great winding country back roads going through Amish Country seeing several Amish lumber mills and roadside markets to purchase Amish produce and craft. With beautiful changes in elevation, some of these roads…
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Total Miles
16.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Leading Ridge

Leading ridge track is a seasonal two way track from North River to Todd Lake Recreation Area. The track is natural dirt surface with minimal gravel maintenance in areas. Several hiking trails cross the area.…
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Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Vepco Road

This route follows along a power line for the most part with lots of scenic views. The lower elevation section is mainly gravel or a natural stone base. The upper section to the intersection at…
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Total Miles
11.6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Tillman

Tillman is a gravel Forest Service Road connecting several other Forest Service Roads to a State Highway. The area includes several reservoirs with fishing and kayaking opportunities. There are several well-traveled hiking trailheads along the…
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Total Miles
5.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi