Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA)

Located within the 8,000-acre Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA), Fern Ridge is a progressively technical trail that grasps every moment of your attention and endlessly temps you with something more challenging around every bend. With multiple exit points, Fern Ridge almost seems to tease you and leave you wondering if the next stretch will be too much for your vehicle. Come test your skills along this Jeep Badge of Honor trail and attempt the handful of optional hardcore loops it offers.

Named after the iconic cartoon character from the Flinstones, Barney Rubble is a technical trail located within Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). This trail requires precise vehicle control as you surgically maneuver through a vast expanse of tombstone-sized boulders. As a newly recognized Jeep Badge of Honor trail, this epic trail is a rock crawler's fantasy that will keep the adrenaline pumping through your veins for hours. Whether you come for the badge, the challenge, or the adventure, be sure to explore as many trails as you can within this 8,000 acres off-road park.

At nearly 6 miles long and spanning almost the entire length of the Western Reserve, Trail 102 Green is the longest continuous trail within Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). This is a straight-through trail used as one of the main travel veins through the reserve and is the main entry and exit point for the Fern Ridge Badge of Honor Trail. Trail 102 Green starts relatively easy and wide as it crisscrosses multiple times with its sister trail, 102 Blue. After crossing several mud holes, the two trails become one again as the trail chokes down to a single vehicle wide in width. The trail snakes its way through the tight and thick forest, traversing countless rock gardens of varying sizes and shapes, from footballs and grapefruits to tombstones. Eventually, the trail widens a bit and comes to an excellent lookout at Glacier Rocks, where you can experience truly unique rock features not seen anywhere else in the park. The trail continues its trek west, weaving through tight trees and traversing the rough terrain.

Because trail 102 Green parallels Fern Ridge and is significantly easier, park staff recommends 102 as an alternative badge trail for those with vehicles incapable of tackling Fern Ridge. Trail 102 Green is suitable for stock high clearance 4x4s, but is not recommended for groups, long-wheelbase vehicles such as pickups, or extremely wide vehicles. Due to the rocky terrain, airing down is highly recommended.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 12 is a knife-shaped loop trail on the southeastern edge of the Eastern Reserve of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). The trail starts easy, making its way up and down rolling hills like a rollercoaster ride, traversing across a hard-packed, two-vehicle wide road as you pass by Polaris Rock. The trail narrows to a single vehicle wide, becomes a bit rougher, and continues to an amazing viewpoint at the Vista View South Picnic Area, dedicated to Kathy Jeremiah. The loop portion begins just beyond the picnic area, where the road becomes extremely rough and slow going due to the many exposed football-sized rocks. The northern half of the loop through Timber Town is lined with extremely dense, tight trees making the trail not suitable for extra wide vehicles or long-wheelbase vehicles such as pickup trucks. Overall, this is a rough and rocky trail still suitable for any short wheelbase, high clearance 4x4.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 141 is an upsidedown finger-shaped trail in the western reserve of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). The total mileage for this trail is 1.4 miles. However, the trail earns its difficult rating from a short, 0.2 mile section just southwest of Glacier Rocks. This section of the trail has a steep, 23-degree slope with large, table-top-sized, diff-catching rock slabs that must be negotiated while leaning slightly off-camber to the downhill side, and maneuvering between tight trees. After this hill, the remaining 1.2 miles of trail is a bumpy but easy drive through small scrabble rock. This trail is best suited for experienced off-road drivers in slightly modified vehicles with larger tires and skidplate protection.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Following the southern rim of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) western reserve, Bootlegger is a straight-through trail that parallels trail 102, one bench below the ridgeline. This trail is an easy, 2+ vehicle-wide trail that spans almost the entire length of the western reserve. The trail has no obstacles with a trail surface of mostly hard-packed soil and small protruding rocks. In the colder months, when the leaves are not on the trees, this trail will provide very scenic views to the south. Bootlegger is a popular trail for groups and passes by a couple of open coal seams where you can gaze upon the mineral the park is named after. This trail is suitable for any high clearance vehicle.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Sprawling across just over 5 miles of the Western Reserve, Trail 115 provides some of the most diverse scenic views within Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). This straight-through trail starts at Puddle Road and leads riders past the iconic Whaleback Rock Formation, a natural wonder studied by geologists across the world. After the Whaleback, the trail follows the powerlines west, up and down gradual hills, trekking over small and flat, football size rocks that are often times avoidable. The trail is 1.5-2 vehicles wide as it slowly turns north and then leads past several small lakes including Dead Lake. The last stretch of trail heading east across the northern boundary of the park, crosses a minefield of teethchattering pot holes before ending near The Projects, and transitioning into trail 133. Although rough and bumpy in spots, this trail is a fairly fast-paced trail suitable for any high clearance vehicle and is a must do trail for sightseers.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 101, also known as Puddle Road, is a straight-through trail primarily used as a main travel vein through the Western Reserve of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). This trail is multiple vehicles wide for most of the trek and traverses countless muddy water holes. Most water holes are only a few inches deep, but a few holes are known for swallowing vehicles and have good signage to help users avoid the deepest parts of said holes. Besides the muddy spots, this trail offers no obstacles and follows a hard-packed dirt surface with occasional protruding rocks. The trail overlooks and ends at the park's iconic Mammoth Trail, where users can take advantage of the bus-sized boulders and snap a few poser shots. This trail is suitable for any high clearance 4x4.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

East Anthracite Road is a dead-end main access trail through the Eastern Reserve of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). This trail is an easy, well-maintained dirt road of mostly graded gravel and hard-packed dirt. Occasional mud holes appear during wet weather, but bypasses exist for anything that might offer a slight challenge. Although this is an easy trail suitable for any vehicle, it offers many unique things to see and photograph.

Beginning at the main parking lot, East Anthracite Road travels past a massive dragline bucket that you can park in. About halfway through the trail, you can visit the Carbaugh Conservation Area, a protected area for a new breed of chestnut tree. This new hybrid is hopefully resilient to blight, a fungal disease that devastated the American chestnut tree and killed over 4 billion trees in the east during the first half of the 20th century. The trail continues east, ending at a private property gate near trail 41. Keep an eye out for Bigfoot. Take a picture of him and show the photo to an employee at the office. They'll give you a special sticker for your efforts.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 110 is a straight-through connector trail between Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) trails 104 and 101. 110 passes through several shallow, but soft-bottomed mudholes as it treks through tight trees and is generally only one vehicle wide the entire trail. Beyond the mudholes, the trail travels across a hard dirt and gravel surface, with no rock obstacles. This trail is suitable for any high-clearance 4x4 vehicle.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 137 is a half-loop-shaped trail along the western edge of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) between trails 112 and 148. Trail 137 starts with a steep and loose rocky hillclimb that will tilt your vehicle to 20 degrees. After traversing the volleyball-sized rocks, you trek through tight trees and brush, guaranteeing pinstripes on your vehicle, before descending a steep and loose hill and passing some old mining equipment. Route finding down the ridgeline past the equipment can be challenging as the paths change and deteriorate through the tailings. Be extremely cautious dropping down the tailings as you will encounter dangerous off-camber tilts up to 28 degrees. This trail is best suited for experienced off-road drivers in slightly modified vehicles with larger tires and skidplate protection.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 148 is a straight-through connector trail in the western reserve of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) between trails 137 and 102. Trail 148 starts on the north end with a shallow and sticky mudhole that varies in depth depending on the time of year. The trail is mainly a hardpacked surface with some protruding rocks, passing some mining equipment, and ending on the south end with a 50-yard hillclimb covered in flat, dinnerplate-sized rocks. This trail is suitable for any high-clearance 4x4 vehicle. The hillclimb on the south end will likely require low-range.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 17 is a straight-through trail connecting trails 12 and 47C. As you drive trail 17 east to west along the old coalmine bench, you'll pass many other trails, including the upper exit of Barney Rubble. Trail 17 is located within the Eastern Reserve of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) and offers one of the most unique attractions, the U-joint tree. The tree, located at the eastern end of the trail above 47C, was once impaled by a flying U-joint. The joint is now rusty, and the tree has swallowed 3/4 of it, but it is still available for viewing. Beyond this attraction, trail 17 offers a moderately steep, rocky hill climb up what is known as Ski Slope. Ski Slope is the most challenging spot along the trail, which is otherwise a hard-packed dirt surface with occasional protruding rocks. This trail is suitable for any high clearance 4x4.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 10 is a straight-through trail traveling west to east, almost the entire length of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) Eastern Reserve. Trail 10 travels along one of the old coalmine benches and intersects with many other trails, as well as the Williams Pipeline. 90% of the trail is easy with a hardpacked surface and small rocks. However, two short 10-yard sections along the trail present a minor, bumpy challenge with flat, tombstone-sized exposed rocks protruding out of the soil. A skillful driver in a high clearance 2WD vehicle would be able to traverse these short, rocky sections, but overall, Trail 10 is best suited for a high clearance 4x4.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 124 is a simple and short connector road between trails 101 and 115 in the Western Reserve of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). This trail offers no obstacles and traverses a well-maintained, hard-packed gravel road. The trail provides two lookout points for the impressive Mammoth Trail, and informational kiosks about local geology. This trail is suitable for any high clearance 4x4.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 41 is a straight-through connector trail from East Anthracite Road to trail 17. 41 is in the Eastern Reserve of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). This trail is rough and bumpy but not technical. One mud hole halfway through the trail can be sticky at times but typically not that deep. The terrain is mainly packed dirt with protruding chunky rocks, flat in shape and the width of basketballs. Trail 41 is primarily used as an access trail to Barney Rubble, but it does pass by one of only two visible bat caves on the property. Look for the large black tube, just off the trail to the west, after passing trail 10.

This is an easy trail suitable for any high clearance vehicle.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 100 is a simple and short connector road between trails 115 and 101 in the Western Reserve of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). This trail offers no obstacles and traverses a well-maintained, hard-packed dirt road through thick tree cover. Several unique rock formations can be found along this trail. Trail 100 is primarily used as an entry and exit point to the Mammoth trail, avoiding the muddy sections of Puddle Road. This trail is suitable for any high clearance 4x4.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Lake Barry is a short dead-end trail in the Eastern Reserve of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). The trail is an easy drive and suitable for any vehicle. It begins about halfway down East Anthracite Road, traveling south for 300 yards across along hardpacked dirt with an occasional shallow mud hole and a few small and flat exposed rocks the size of softballs. The trail ends at a reclaimed, scenic lake with a couple of benches, a few picnic tables, and a wooden dock. There is enough room at the end to accommodate about ten vehicles. This is an excellent place to plan your lunch stop and take in the natural beauty in the middle of the AOAA park.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 28 is an easy, straight-through connecting trail that cuts through the three bench levels of the Eastern Reserve of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). Trail 28 is a short, steep little hill pitching to 18 degrees as you make your way south to north from trail 36 to East Anthracite Road. The trail is two-way and plenty wide to pass oncoming traffic with excellent visibility. The road surface is hard-packed dirt with small, loose, golf ball and baseball-sided rocks. This trail is suitable for any high clearance 4x4.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.

Trail 104, also known as Shady Woods, is a short spur road off of trail 101 in the Western Reserve of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA). This trail offers no obstacles and traverses a single-wide, hard-packed dirt road through thick pine and hardwood forest. Although not difficult, there are a couple of shallow mud puddles and one spot where you must navigate between a few tight trees. Vehicles with wide, one-ton type axles might find this trail a bit too tight for their liking. This trail is best suited for narrow, high clearance vehicles.

Be sure to reference the AOAA website for accommodation links, days and hours of operation, waiver, and pass purchasing links.