Off road trails in Virginia

MattAlpha

MattAlpha

Caught the Bug
I'm looking to do a few day trips while I'm in Norfolk for the next couple of months. So I've been searching for trails that are "close" to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Unfortunately everything seems to be near the western, or north western side of the state. So I started to search for any trails that are in North Carolina that may be closer.

Here is the list of what I've found:
VA ORV Parks and Public Areas
- Chaos Offroad Park (http://chaosoffroad.com/park/ - northwest of Winchester, VA)
- The Cove (Big Doggs - OHV http://www.bigdogsoffroad.com/index.html ; West of Winchester, VA)
- Rocky Run ORV Park (http://www.4x4trails.net/trail.php?...0T3JkZXIiO3M6ODoic29ydE5hbWUiO30=&source=list ; northwest of Harrisonburg, VA)
-- Second Mountain trail
-- Dictum Ridge trail
- Gauley Ridge / Old long run intersection (Northwest of Harrisburg, VA; http://core4x4.org/second-mountain-and-dictum-ridge-run/ talks about a group’s run through these trails)
-- Rocky Run (Dictum/Second Mtn) South trail
-- Gauley Ridge to the North trail
-- Old Long Run to the West trail
-- Long Run to the East trail
- Flag Pole Knob (west of Harrisonburg, VA inside of George Washington National Forest; http://www.summitpost.org/flagpole-knob/151590 )
- Reddish Knob Spur/ Meadow Knob (west of Harrisonburg, VA; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reddish_Knob )
-- FR 95 Trail
-- FR 85 Trail
-- Flag Pole Top Trail
*Note: From 33 - Passes by the Lake and there are spots to camp at the bottom of the gorge. Avoid the off shoots as they are just camping sites. About 1.5 hours to the "T" at the top. Right takes you by flagpole and on to Reddish knob. Left takes you to Meadow knob (15 min) and then out onto Union springs road (1.5 hrs).
-- Flag Pole / Union Spring Trail
*Note: Union Springs Rd Entrance - Gravel road for about 20 minutes and there is a giant dirt hill that’s posted illegal on your left (Yellow sign in trees). There are a few off shoots along the way, but they are all camp sites. There is one point the trail hooks 90 to the right and going straight dumps you in the woods. There is a mud pit with multiple trails near the top, then the "staircase" with a bypass, and then you arrive at meadow knob. Continue on about 15 minutes up a decent little hill climb and there is a branch off to the right which takes you to Switzer lake. Straight takes you to Flagpole and on to Reddish knob and FR-95
-- FR 85A Trail
-- FR 539
*Note: seasonal open sept 1st through jan 10th. 5 miles round trip (no exit at bottom). small rocks and several mudholes. Clear views of valley and hone quarry area. Ends at big hollow trail (hiking only).

- Oak Ridge Estate (Arrington, VA; Private park - Annual Wheelin 4 Hope - http://www.wheelin4hope.com/ and VA4WDA events - http://www.va4wda.org/ )


Individual trails by approximate location:

Northwest of Arrington, VA
- Shoe Creek trail
- FR 246 Trail (west of Arrington, VA)

Northwest of Harrisburg, VA
- Long Run & Old Long Run trail (northwest of Harrisburg, VA)
- Second Mountain Access trail

North of Roanoke, VA, in Jefferson National Forest
- Potts Mountain Jeep Trail

North of Blacksburg, VA
- Mountain Lake trail (inside Jefferson National Forest)

West of Charlottesville, VA
- Kennedy Ridge trail (seasonal use only 01APR-10DEC)
- Cold Spring/Bald Mountain Trail (seasonal use only 01APR-10DEC)
- Turkey Pen Ridge Trail
- Big Levels Trail



Please let me know what additional trails I'm missing, miss-labeled or any other valuable information that I can add so that a more comprehensive list can be compiled and used by our members. I plan to compile a list of North Carolina trails too, because there are most likely trails closer to Hampton Roads area of VA that are actually in NC.

Thanks!
-Matt
 
That's a pretty good list Matt. I'd add Red Cloud Off Road Park near Woodbridge I think (of course, RCOR is currently closed until further notice but should be opening up soon).
 
Agreed. This is a good list. A few that I've never heard of. I hope they are good.
 
I'm just putting together what seems to still be open.

Anyone that knows of other open trails should add them to the list.
 
This is awesome! Thanks for all the info, Now I can expand my list of adventures. I didn't know VA had this many places to go.
 
The wife and I will be in the Massanutten area in June, an exploratory day trip sounds fun if anyone is interested and available.
 
Joker151 said:
The wife and I will be in the Massanutten area in June, an exploratory day trip sounds fun if anyone is interested and available.
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I think we can work something out. What dates are you going to be there?
 
MattAlpha said:
I'm just putting together what seems to still be open.

Anyone that knows of other open trails should add them to the list.
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There is also Starr motors in Suffolk. On May 9th it is open wheeling day. I might be there. All depends on how packed it is.
 
MattAlpha said:
Do you have any more information on the Starr Motors wheeling day? The only thing I could find is here: http://www.meetup.com/starr4wdc/

Just wondering if this might be an option. If not, I'll probably be heading down to OBX this weekend.

Thanks!
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As far as the property goes, it is only 5 acres. I've never been on open wheeling day, but I have been there at local club days and it was fun for what it is. When I called to schedule my regear the on hold info said it was $15 for the day.

Open wheeling day might be a little bit packed since this area is so starved for off-roading locations. :grayno:
 
MR.Ty said:
I think we can work something out. What dates are you going to be there?
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Heading down this Friday, staying a little south of Harrisonburg anybody familiar with local trails feeling like a day trip, would love to do some exploring.
 
Oakridge is a blast if you can find a local club to jump in with that might be running it. It's private land. South of Charlottesville about an hour. Right near Lovingston! There's normally a few runs throughout the year there. Good list and good luck!
 
Joker151 said:
Heading down this Friday, staying a little south of Harrisonburg anybody familiar with local trails feeling like a day trip, would love to do some exploring.
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You are pretty close to shoe creek and big levels. Neither are remotely hard and make for a nice fun day. I would love to join you but I can't this weekend.
 
MR.Ty said:
You are pretty close to shoe creek and big levels. Neither are remotely hard and make for a nice fun day. I would love to join you but I can't this weekend.
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If you end up running shoe Creek make sure you hit Crabtree falls at the top. It's at the end of the Shoe Creek Trail on the north side and it's a beautiful short hike to the falls.
 
Sorry, I will be in Massanutten and want something fairly close, are Shoe creek and big level close? Anything else in that area?
 
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