Pennsylvania Off-Road Trails

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.

Treaster Valley Road is an easy, wide gravel road through an old-growth mature pine forest. The road is a primary entrance and exit point for the western side of Bald Eagle State Forest, out of the town of Milroy. The road passes many private hunting camps and Bear Gap Picnic Area, where you can find numerous picnic tables, a large pavilion, and a vault toilet. Along the road, you can find State Forest campsite number 46, located off the road about 100 yards and large enough to accommodate any type of camp wet up. Camping permits and reservations are required for all State Forest Campsites and can be reserved online or by calling the State Forest Office. Treaster Valley is a great road to access the forest and explore the many activities the forest offers. It is suitable for any vehicle.

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.

Cutting through the dense woods of Bald Eagle State Forest, just north of I-80, Old Tea Spring Road is a high clearance classified drivable trail located just feet from the Tea Springs Picnic Area. A popular access trail for hikers and equestrian riders, this short connection to other roads in the area allows users to wet their whistle on something a little more "off the beaten path."

Nittany Mountain Road is a rough, rocky, dead-end two-track leading to a private property line and gate. The road is exceptionally tight and overgrown with thick trees. Drivers should anticipate pinstriping from the trees and possible undercarriage damage due to grapefruit-sized rocks. A few sticky seasonal mudholes can be found along the trek, with water depths ranging from a few inches to sixteen inches deep. There are no significant obstacles along the road, but continuous rocks slow the 7.5-mile round trip. Although suitable for stock high clearance 4-wheel drives, the narrowness of the trail makes it best for small and narrow 4-wheel drive vehicles.

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.

Spruce Run Road is an easy, wide, straight-through gravel road that connects Cooper Mill Road to the Spruce Run Reservoir. The road is suitable for any vehicle. This is a casual drive through the thick trees of the Bald Eagle State Forest along the banks of Spruce Run Creek. Several pullout opportunities exist to enjoy watering holes along the creek and three State Forest campsites along the drive. Campsites 4, 5, and 8 are directly off the road, each with a steel fire ring and picnic table. The sites can accommodate any camp setup, from tents to trailers. Camping permits and reservations are required for all State Forest Campsites and can be reserved online or by calling the State Forest Office. There is virtually no cell service along this road. Making prior camping arrangements is highly recommended.