Alabama Trails

Lower Skyway Motorway is a scenic byway that winds through the heart of the Talladega National Forest in Alabama. This remote road offers travelers a rugged journey through dense woodlands, rolling hills, and serene landscapes, embodying the natural beauty and tranquility of the region. This 14-mile-long road follows the ridgeline of Horns Mountain, traveling north from the White Gap Valley. Several overlooks along the trail offer stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. Skyway Motorway, a route that originally traversed the Talladega National Forest from north to south, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Over the years, Skyway Motorway was broken up into several different segments. Lower Skyway Motorway, FR 600-1, is one of those segments. While most roads in the Talladega National Forest are improved, Lower Skyway Motorway is one of the few rugged routes for offroad enthusiasts.

Refusing to be just another hill climb trail as you see so often throughout the park, Stony Lonesome 404 breaks the norm and offers drivers a doable challenge even on the slickest of days. This trail is great for beginners who want to learn how to safely drop the nose of their vehicle down an obstacle and is likely the closest experience they will ever have to driving a spiral staircase. Start here if you are new and work your way up to the more difficult Badge of Honor trails, such as Switchback.

Switchback is one of the many trails in the 1,465 acres of Stony Lonesome OHV Park. This particular trail, located close to the park's entrance, is extremely steep and weaves its way through several switchbacks high above Dorsey Creek. No other trail within the park combines breathtaking views and technical challenges. This Jeep Badge of Honor trail lives up to the hype as it tests a driver's mental fortitude and a vehicle's mechanical abilities.

Like watching monster-truck freestyle in the woods, the objective of rock bouncing is to pilot a highly modified off-road buggy up insanely steep inclines with damage-inflicting jagged rocks in the shortest amount of time possible. Rock bouncer racing is known for its high speeds, big jumps, and intense crashes. If this type of action sounds like something you want to see or experience firsthand, look no further than Stony Lonesome 508. This trail accesses the largest congregation of rock bouncing hills within Stony Lonesome OHV Park and is a great location to see these amazing machines in action.

Marked with white crosses honoring those whoe died trying, gives proof that Gut Buster is a serious trail for serious rigs. This vertigo-inducing hill climb between trails 508 and 506 is part of an infamous stretch of hills in the northern center of the park that has long been popular for Rock Bouncing competitions. Large rocks at the start of the trail rob you of the momentum you desperately need as you approach a near-verticle rock face that will require loads of horsepower to conquer. It is not uncommon to winch the exit of this trail.

It is best practice to ensure that groups only send one vehicle up at a time, as the lead vehicle will likely be backing up several times.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Stony Lonesome Main Access Road is two-way traffic and spans the entire length of the park, southwest to northeast. The trail starts at a gate and passes many well-marked trails. Be sure to note "Wrong Way" signs, as most trails are one-way only. The main feature along this trail is an obstacle called "Little Moab," a wide sandstone rock obstacle with lines from mild to wild. Most of the road is relatively easy, with a few small ledges, ruts, and shallow mud holes. However, just before reaching trail 508, there is a steep drop with a 32-degree pitch, which will require 4-wheel drive to climb over on your return trip.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

The closest hotels reside in the town of Cullman, about a 21-minute drive northeast.

Middle Skyway Motorway, FR600-2, is a 10-mile-long trail going from mild to wild while it meanders along the ridgeline south of the Cheaha Wilderness in the Talladega National Forest. The north half of the trail is a maintained gravel road while the southern portion requires a 4WD for this rugged route. At about the halfway point, Middle Skyway Motorway crosses Hanging Rock Road, a paved two-lane mountain road. The road will gradually get more difficult as you continue south from here. Users should be aware that the southern end of the trail has a gate that has been locked in the past because of an easement dispute between the property owner and the forest service. If the gate is shut and locked, you must turn around and exit the trail at Hanging Rock Road.

The hardest part of the trail is a segment where erosion has cut a 4' deep cavern down the middle of the road. Careful line selection is important to prevent your vehicle from falling into the cavern. A spotter would be beneficial here.

Although dispersed camping is allowed along the trail, there are only a few wide spots along the trail that do not make for a good camping experience.

Upper Skyway Motorway, Forest Service Road 500, is a 24-mile-long gravel route meandering through the northern reaches of the Talladega National Forest. A 1/2-mile-long section of the trail is paved near the route's mid-way mark. This route travels through the Choccolocco Wildlife Management Area in the Choccolocco Mountain Range. With abundant groves of hardwood Oaks, you are treated to a beautiful mature forest on this route. If so inclined, you can take a short spur road to the pristine Sweetwater Lake and relax with a hook in the water. Hiking, biking, hunting, and horseback riding are popular activities along Upper Skyway Motorway.

Five different designated camping areas are located along Upper Skyway Motorway. These campgrounds are primitive, semi-primitive, and improved. Hunter camps have no services, while other venues have modern toilet structures, fire rings, and picnic tables. The Coleman Lake Recreation Area has full RV sites with power, water, and sewer.

Truck Trail West is a two-way trail located on the south side of the Tennessee River in Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. The smooth, easy trail follows along the Tennessee River with ample opportunity to stop and take in the views. This popular trail allows fishermen to park their vehicles along the river and dip a line in the water. It is the perfect place to take the family for a quick sunset ride.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge located along the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge, established in 1938 to provide a habitat for migrating and wintering birds.

It is essential to stay on the gravel trail or risk losing access to this beautiful area. This trail is closed to motorized vehicles between October 14th and February 10th every winter.

Stony Lonesome 407 is a two-way traffic trail located along the east-central boundary of the park. The trail traverses a rocky, moderate hill climb with plenty of room to pass other vehicles. You will encounter several small ledges and narrow mud holes. The northern tip of the trail offers driver's the chance to scope out several extreme hill climb trails such as Terminus, Bobby's World, X-Wife, and Child Support. Also, along the northern tip, you'll encounter the hardest part of the 407 trail, which is a small rock ledge with a 28-degree pitch, oftentimes wet and muddy.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

The closest hotels reside in the town of Cullman, about a 21-minute drive northeast.

Stony Lonesome 44, otherwise known as Baldie, is a long, steep, and chunky staircase-style hill climb with countless ledges seemingly buttered with loose sand. This challenging two-way trail in the middle of the park offers many different line options and is sure to entertain everyone in a group, from mild rigs to wild rigs. Keep your lockers engaged and the momentum turning because this trail is known for stealing all tire traction in the blink of an eye.

This trail is best suited for modified vehicles with larger tires and skid plate protection.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Stony Lonesome 502 is a two-way traffic trail that is 1 of 2 trails you can take to access the Badge of Honor trail, Switchback, and the Timbuk 2 hill climb. The trail starts off the 501 trail and gets the blood pumping immediately with a steep ledge climb. You'll likely need a bump to get over it. You'll then trek up and down a steep dirt hill and cross over Rock Garden and the Timbuck trails. The trail weaves through car-sized boulders, where you'll eventually encounter two massive rock slabs. There are multiple lines across the slabs, none of which are easier than the others. Pick a line that best suits your build. The trail concludes at the Switchback and 501 trail intersection.

This trail is best suited for modified vehicles with oversized tires. Traction aid devices and a winch are recommended.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that they are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Stony Lonesome 414 is a one-way trail primarily used to access more difficult trails at the northeast end of the park. This trail is the access trail and the parallel trail to the popular Rock Creek trail (23). Although 414 is a great road to watch heavily modified rigs attempt the massive boulders along the drainage below, it also presents a couple of rock challenges of its own. The trail starts at the Main Access Road North and travels west a short distance down an easy, hard-packed road. It then passes the Rock Creek entrance and begins traveling south. Just past trail 418, you encounter a 3-foot rock ledge that crosses the trail at 45 degrees and leans you up against a tree. The park map labels this as a green trail. However, this obstacle is quite difficult and has a high potential to damage a stock vehicle. The potential for damage to windshield frames, mirrors, and tops, is extremely high. Vehicles with hardtops are not recommended here. Wide tires sticking out far from the body will help avoid body and top damage.

The trail continues as Rock Creek reconnects, and erosion has exposed multiple tabletop-sized rocks that could be hard to get traction on in wet conditions. The trail ends at the Main Access Road, just west of trail 407.

In its current condition, unless maintenance is performed at the off-camber ledge, this trail is best suited for modified vehicles with larger tires and body protection.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Truck Trail East is a two-way trail located on the south side of the Tennessee River in Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. This smooth, easy rail follows along the Tennessee River, allowing ample opportunity to stop and take in the views. This is a popular trail for fishermen to park their vehicles along the river and dip a line in the water, and it is the perfect place to take the family for a quick sunset ride.

The section of this trail between Mussle Camp Road and Bluff City Road is smooth, graded gravel with just an occasional pothole. However, once you are east of Bluff City, it is much less maintained and mostly dirt. It can get muddy and slick if it has been raining. The section east of Bluff City is only open for a couple of weeks each year, February 10th through March 1st and October 1st through October 14th. The portion of this trail west of Bluff City is closed to motorized vehicles between October 14th and February 10th every winter but open otherwise.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge located along the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge, established in 1938 to provide a habitat for migrating and wintering birds.

It is essential to stay on the trail or risk losing access to this beautiful area.

Stony Lonesome 501 is a two-way traffic trail that is the first trail you will encounter to the northeast after passing through the entry gate of Stony Lonesome OHV Park. It is 1 of 2 trails you can take to access the Badge of Honor trail Switchback. The trail begins at the main access road and starts relatively easily. 501 crosses a drainage trail known as Rock Garden or Timbuk 1 and continues straight across, working over basketball-sized rocks and then powers up a steep, 20-degree hill that requires 4-wheel drive. The trail concludes at the Switchback and 502 trail intersection.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that they are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

A short and easy route near the south end of the Talladega National Forest, Bulls Gap-Sycamore Road wonders through the pine and hardwood forest. Bulls Gap-Sycamore Road begins at its intersection with Alabama Highway 148 and ends 5 miles later at the start of private property. The road becomes Rocky Mountain Church Road. Just south of the road's end is Lake Tallaseehatchee, a small lake in the National Forest popular for fishing. There are no obstacles on Bulls Gap-Sycamore Road and the road remains a maintained gravel road from start to finish. Although dispersed camping is allowed, only one viable campsite located along the route. Located near the intersection of Rocky Mountain Road (FR616), Quinn Hunter's Camp is a primitive designated camping area more appropriate for camping in the immediate vicinity.

Slogging its way through tight hollers peppered with loose beachball and tabletop-sized boulders, Bootleg Creek never lacks excitement and always has you guessing the right line as the rocks shift and change with each passing vehicle. Stony Lonesome 29 is a one-way trail traveling west to east beginning at trail 418, passing several panic-inducing hill climbs such as Widow Maker, STR8 Up, God's Gift, and Stairway to Heaven, and finally ending at the Main Access Road North. Just before its exit, the bravest offroaders can try their luck at an optional hill climb with multiple 4 to 5-foot ledges.

This trail is best suited for modified vehicles with oversized tires and skid plate protection.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that they are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Stony Lonesome 12, also called Valley Hill, is a one-way east-to-west trail starting at 508 and ending at 503. The trail is a long, slow climbing trail peppered with beachball and tire-sized boulders and ends with three different ledge climbs that will be sure to test any sized rig. The center exit is a triple-stairstep type waterfall with a 2-foot ledge, a 5-foot ledge, and a 4-foot ledge making for one nasty waterfall exit. The right side exit is a series of 3-foot and 2-foot ledges spaced exactly to your wheelbase, ensuring you are trying to climb two ledges simultaneously. The left side exit is a single 3-foot rock ledge with a slight undercut on the passenger side and several boulders that will bite at your rock sliders.

This trail is best suited for heavily modified vehicles with oversized tires, dual traction aid devices, winches, and skid plates.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that they are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

OPEN All Year

Blackwell Swamp Run is a two-way trail located in the northeast corner of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. This short, easy trail surrounds Blackwell Swamp, an area known for wildlife such as deer, cranes, and even the occasional alligator! There is a nice spot to stop near the Tennessee River to skip stones, watch boats, or go fishing. The trail consists of graded dirt with gravel as well. There is the occasional pothole to watch out for. Otherwise, it is smooth sailing!

The gate on the south end of this trail is closed between October 14th and February 10th every year. During that time, you must enter the trail on the north end and drive out the same way.

Big Hill Bypass is a two-way traffic trail used just like the name suggests. This road bypasses the difficult hill on Baldie and reconnects to the Main Access Road near the 407 junction. This road also bypasses the most difficult sections of the Main Access Road near Little Moab. If you are looking for the easiest route through the middle of the park, Big Hill Bypass is for you. This is a well-packed road with occasional mud and potholes. Big Hill Bypass is suitable for any high clearance vehicle.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Rocky Mountain Road is an easy gravel road located in the southern part of the Talladega National Forest. Also managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, this road meanders through the Hollins Wildlife Management Area. Mature hardwoods and pine trees both thrive in this diverse forest. Camping and hunting are both popular activities along this 5.7-mile-long forest road, with camping being available at Guinn Hunter's Camp near this route's trailhead. In the Talladega National Forest, a "hunter's camp" is a primitive area designated for dispersed camping.

This Stony Lonesome main road does not have a name or number. Maps devices may label it as 25, but the official park map does not. Because it is a main road and is the only other road to a gate access point, we call it Main Access Road North.

This trail is two-way traffic and is used as a simple connector route to access other trails within the park's northeast corner. Although the official park map shows this road connecting to Highway 69, there is a closed gate just before the highway. For that reason, this entrance is likely just an emergency entrance. Main Access Road North has two moderate hills but is generally a packed dirt road with shallow erosion ruts and the occasional pothole. It is suitable for any high clearance vehicle.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Duck Nest Motorway is a cozy forested road from the Cheaha State Park north towards Oxford, AL. Not heavily used, this easy, graded gravel road is a quick and peaceful route when leaving the Talladega National Forest. Duck Nest Motorway becomes Kentucky Road at the National Forest boundary, traversing a quaint rural neighborhood. The only camping available is at the Duck Nest Hunt Camp near the edge of the forest boundary. In the Talladega National Forest, a hunter's camp is a designated primitive camping zone with dispersed camping in the designated area.

An eight-foot culvert is used under Duck Nest Road where it crosses Salt Creek. Although the creek is little more than a babbling brook, heavy rains have washed out this culvert, causing the road to be closed in the past.

Rockhouse Road is a two-way trail located on the north side of the Tennessee River in Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. This easy and smooth trail follows along the Tennessee River, allowing ample opportunity to stop and take in the views. This is the most popular trail for fishermen to park their vehicles along the river and dip a line in the water, and it is the perfect place to take the family for a quick sunset ride.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge located along the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge, established in 1938 to provide a habitat for migrating and wintering birds.

It is essential to stay on the gravel trail or risk losing access to this beautiful area. This trail is closed to motorized vehicles between October 14th and February 10th every winter.

Located only minutes from both Oxford and Anniston, AL, Military Road is a beautiful out-and-back drive in the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge. Established in 2003, the wildlife refuge encompasses a portion of the now-closed Fort McClellan Military base. Fort McClellan permanently closed in 1999 and was a training site for American troops in both World Wars. Beyond its military function, Fort McClellan played a pivotal role in the advancement of chemical warfare research and training during the 20th century. However, its legacy is also marked by controversy due to the environmental impact of its operations, particularly concerning hazardous materials and waste disposal.

Today, a sign at the start of the road warns of the high potential for encountering old military ordinances. Due to this danger, most of the property along the west side of the road is off-limits. Signs warning of a blast potential are posted, and camping is prohibited along this road.

Military Road, once known as Campington Road, boasts displays of large, gorgeous, mature, natural Oakleaf Hydrangea plants. The bright white flower blooms offer a stunning contrast to the thick green forest.

Stony Lonesome 408 is a one-way trail that starts at 407 and ends at the Main Access Road. It is the only trail you can use to access The Ledges, trail 32. Although not as extreme as trail 32, trail 408 boasts its own challenging ledge obstacle. Most of the road is easy as you travel east and could be completed by any 4WD vehicle. But as you approach the end of the trail, past 32, you come to a steep series of ledges, 3 to 4 vehicles wide. This obstacle tilts your vehicle to 28 degrees and favors longer wheelbase vehicles, as the three, two-foot tall ledges are spaced perfectly to slow down anything with less than a 100" wheelbase.

This trail requires modified vehicles with oversized tires, traction aid devices, and winches.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Stony Lonesome 32, also known as The Ledges, is a short, extreme hill climb with 3 to 4-foot ledges. The trail is one-way, starting at trail 408 and finishing at the Main Access Road. There are two paths up the trail, the far right side being the main route and the most extreme. The right side is an off-camber, double ledge climb through a narrow cut with car-sized rocks and 4-foot ledges. The left side is considered the bypass but is still a steep climb with table-top-sized rocks and 3-foot ledges.

This trail requires highly modified vehicles with oversized tires, traction aid devices, winches, and rollover protection.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Mussle Camp Road is a two-way trail on the south side of the Tennessee River in Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. This short, smooth trail takes you to the Tennessee River and a small gravel beach perfect for lunch, fishing, or dipping your toes in the water.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge located along the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge, established in 1938 to provide a habitat for migrating and wintering birds.

It is essential to stay on the gravel trail or risk losing access to this beautiful area. This trail is open all year long.

Known only as HGH to most, a quick stop by the ranger station revealed that this trail is officially called Henry Grammer Highway in honor of a former U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employee who helped build it. While it does not offer views of the Tennessee River, there are amazing wetlands to view along the way. There are also farm fields that provide an interesting contrast to the forest and wetlands along this trail.

HGH is an easy two-way trail with barely a pothole to be seen. Remember to always stay on the trails. Rangers do patrol this area and will ban you if caught off the trail in your vehicle. 

HGH has a gate on both ends that is closed and locked from October 14th to February 10th every winter.

This trail is only open for three weeks in later winter (2/10-3/01) and two weeks in the fall (10/1-10/14).

Talley Bottoms Road is a two-way trail on the south side of the Tennessee River in Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. This trail is not connected to any other trails in this Refuge. It is the easternmost trail and connects two paved roads, Sharp Ford Road and Talucah Road, which leads to a nice area on the Tennessee River.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge located along the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the Refuge, which was established in 1938 to provide a habitat for migrating and wintering birds.

It is essential to stay on the gravel trail or risk losing access to this beautiful area.

OPEN February 10 - May 31 and October 01 - October 14

Penny Bottoms Road is a two-way, dead-end trail located on the north side of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. The smooth, gravel trail begins where Skinner Springs Road ends. At the end of Penny Bottoms Road is a permanently locked gate, but a short walk past the gate reveals a small dam with amazing water views on both sides. Since there is no motorized traffic and almost no foot traffic, this area is teeming with wildlife, including flocks of cranes.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge located along the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge, established in 1938 to provide a habitat for migrating and wintering birds.

It is essential to stay on the gravel trail or risk losing access to this beautiful area. This trail is only open a few weeks a year.

Known only as JTT to most, a quick stop by the ranger station revealed that this trail is officially called John Turner Turnpike in honor of a former U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employee who helped build it. While it does not offer views of the Tennessee River, there are amazing wetlands to view along the way. The near-constant canopy also offers shade and the perfect summer ride with your top down (and maybe doors off for the Jeepers). This is one of the few trails open year-round in  Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, so feel free to enjoy it anytime.

JTT is an easy two-way trail, but one short section stays wet all the time and may be a bit muddy and slick after significant rain. Remember to always stay on the trails. Rangers patrol this area and will ban you if caught off the trail in your vehicle.

OPEN February 10 - October 14

Beaver Dam Peninsula is a two-way loop located on the north side of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. The smooth, easy loop goes around the peninsula with wetlands surrounding the trail. There is also an observation tower near the trailhead for nature lovers to utilize!

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge located along the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge, established in 1938 to provide a habitat for migrating and wintering birds.

It is essential to stay on the trail or risk losing access to this beautiful area. This trail is closed to motorized vehicles between October 14 and February 10 every winter.

Jolly Bottom Road is the main northern entrance for Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. This short, smooth two-way trail leads to other trails around this refuge, such as HGH, Blackwell Swamp, and Rockhouse Bottoms. There is a place to pull off about a mile on the left to launch a small boat onto Blackwell Swamp. This trail consists of smooth, graded gravel for the most part.

While the trail is open year-round, the gate on the south end is closed between October 14th and February 10th every year. During that time, you must enter the trail on the north end and drive in and back out the same way. Also, it is essential to stay on the trails, or we risk losing OHV access to this gem of an area.

Stony Lonesome 505 is a straight-through, one-way trail that starts with a steep and narrow downhill descent as you make your way towards Cousin Eddy hill climb and Skull Crusher hill climb. The trail is rocky and rutty, with two holes that abruptly sneak up on you as you can't see them over the vehicle's hood. Those holes have large rocks, so fast-moving vehicles could damage components if not careful. The trail is mainly used as an access road to the two aforementioned hill climbs and is suitable for any high clearance 4-wheel drive.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

The closest hotels reside in the town of Cullman, about a 21-minute drive northeast.

OPEN February 10 - March 01 and October 01 - October 14

North Beaver Dam Road is a two-way dead-end trail located on the north side of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. The smooth, sometimes muddy trail goes traverses the nearby farms and wetlands surrounding the trail. If it has been raining, this trail can become more difficult and may require four-wheel drive.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge located along the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge, established in 1938 to provide a habitat for migrating and wintering birds.

It is essential to stay on the trail or risk losing access to this beautiful area. This trail is only open five weeks out of the year.

Trail 300 is a "main" trail that feeds the 300 series trails on the south end of the park. It is a two-way trail, so be aware of oncoming traffic. Trail 300 is mainly a dirt trail with some washouts and occasional mud holes.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Trail 421 is a great trail for those wanting to hit harder trails at the park but still want to avoid large obstacles and damage. It gives the driver an opportunity to check out the top of the Extreme trail, Yeti Bottoms. 421 winds through the forest with just a few rock obstacles before getting to a relatively large drop-off at the 0.8-mile mark that looks intimidating from behind the driver's wheel. Just stay to the passenger side of the obstacle and drop down smoothly to be on your way!

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Yeti Bottoms is an intense trail. Just looking at the entrance from the main trail can turn your stomach due to how quickly it descends into the valley. Once at the bottom, a series of twists and turns will seriously challenge the flex of your suspension. Finally, you find yourself at the bottom of a very rocky climb that, even with just a little moisture, can turn out to be a winchfest for everyone in your group. Lockers, skid plates, and 37"+ tires are recommended.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

This trail is only open for three weeks in later winter (2/10-3/01) and two weeks in the fall (10/1-10/14).

Madden Branch Road is a dead-end trail on the south side of the Tennessee River in Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. This trail is not well maintained and does have a washout. It provides nice views of the wetlands and ends on a river tributary where you could put in a small boat.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge located along the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge, established in 1938 to provide a habitat for migrating and wintering birds.

It is essential to stay on the trail or risk losing access to this beautiful area.

Trail 303 is a trail that recently (as of July 2024) received significant maintenance to make it a stock-friendly Jeep trail. It is a twisty and somewhat tight trail through the woods and along the creek. Towards the end of the trail, there is a difficult loop that consists of a steep rutted climb followed by a steep rutted descent. This loop is easily bypassed but is part of the official trail. Otherwise, this trail is a jaunt through the woods with some occasional mud.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

OPEN February 10 - October 14

Skinner Springs Road is a two-way trail located on the north side of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. This winding trail skirts along the edge of the wildlife refuge and connects Rockhouse Road and Penny Bottoms Road, two other trails in this area.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a 35,000-acre wildlife refuge located along the Tennessee River near Decatur, Alabama. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the refuge, established in 1938 to provide a habitat for migrating and wintering birds.

It is essential to stay on the trail or risk losing access to this beautiful area. This trail is closed to motorized vehicles between October 14 and February 10 every winter.

Rock Creek has it all! Off-camber, flexed-out suspension, big rocks, mud, steep climbs, you name it! The best part is it runs parallel to a much easier trail, 414. If you are in a mixed group, some can choose to ride on 414 while others put on a show down in Rock Creek. The trail branches off of 414, traveling north to south, and begins mildly with a dirt path through the trees. After that, it has undulating mounds within steep walls that will really test the flex in your vehicle's suspension. Finally, you end with a series of large rocks to traverse on a steep climb towards the exit. When it is dry, you can usually complete the trail without winching if your vehicle is adequately equipped (35"+ tires and lockers). If conditions are wet, all bets are off!

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

406D begins where 406 ends, with a sharp left-hand turn down a steep and rutted hill. It will definitely get the heart pumping as you attempt to navigate down the off-camber terrain that tends to tip you toward the nearest tree. A spotter will certainly help you stay out of trouble here. Once to the bottom, you must traverse some tight trails that snake amongst the trees, along with deep mud holes. Finally, the end is a tough climb up the waterfall obstacle back to the main trail. Lockers or some momentum is your friend here!

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Trail 406 rapidly drops down from the main trail running through the park. At first, there are a series of small ledges to drop down, and then the trail is mostly flat with some washouts and mud holes. There is also an opportunity to attempt the extreme optional obstacle, Hagan's Hill, on the right about 0.2 miles into the trail. Be aware that this is a one-way trail, and it leads to more difficult trails that must be traveled to continue on your way.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Trail 409 is a loop on the far southeast side of the park. It begins with a steep downhill with large ledges to navigate before it flattens out a passes by trailheads for Cry Baby Holler and 409B. If you stay on the trail, eventually, you will find a steep ascent that brings you to the end of the main trail.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Cry Baby Holler is a short but intense trail deep within Stony Lonesome. It is not a trail you will find on the official park map, but rest assured, it is an approved and marked trail! The best way to access this trail is to go all the way to the end of the main access trail and turn right on Trail 410 (which takes you by the top of Cry Baby Holler). At the bottom of 410, you turn right again onto 409 and immediately onto another right to begin this trail. The beginning is relatively smooth, but you quickly find yourself at the bottom of a steep rocky incline. Body damage is possible, especially with hard tops. The trail is very steep and puts you off-camber against trees, which can cause damage. The largest ledge is approx 24" high. The rocks at the top are sharp and can slash tires if you are not careful. Pick your line, and you will be at the top in no time!

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Bird Point is a fun warm-up trail near the park entrance. It runs parallel to the main trail so it is a fun alternative when heading into the park for the day. It begins with a steep ascent with small rock ledges and then meanders through the trees, taking you through a few mud holes. If it has been raining, it may be a good idea to exit about halfway through when the trail is close to the main path. At the end is another steep climb, but it should not give most 4x4 vehicles any trouble unless wet.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

411 is a relatively easy dirt trail compared to others at Stony Lonesome. It skirts along the park border through the forest and leads back to the main trail, or you can turn right onto the more challenging 411B.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Trail 413 basically serves as the exit for 411b. Otherwise, it is a poorly marked trail with confusing directions on the official Stony Lonesome map. Just follow the track to get from 411b to the main trail. 413 is just a dirt path that can be overgrown.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

411B is a great trail with fun obstacles. As soon as you turn onto the trail from 411, you are greeted with a steep, rocky descent. After a few twists and turns, you find yourself attempting to go down more steep hills with very large rocks that will lead you into the trees. Hard tops, beware! About halfway through the trail, you can stay left to exit to the main trail or right to continue on 411B, which ends at Trail 413. There is a fun series of hill climbs to challenge you along the way!

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

409C is a straight dirt descent that is an alternative to the beginning of 409. It goes from the main trail down to 409 and can be slick if wet. Otherwise, you can ease on down and be on your way.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

Trail 410 is a rough dirt trail that descends from the main trail down to 409. It is typically used to access the Cry Baby Holler trailhead. It actually passes right by the end of Cry Baby Holler, which allows you to stay behind and watch as others continue down 410 and back up the challenging holler trail.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.

This trail is just a steep dirt hill that connects 409 back to the main trail. Just point the nose and go straight up! Rain will up the difficulty level of this trail. Luckily, you can just back down and continue on 409 to get back if needed.

Stony Lonesome OHV Park is a private offroad park near Cullman, Alabama. The park is open Friday through Sunday. Riders must check in at the office near the start of the Main Access Road and check out at the end of the day to notify staff that you are no longer in the park.

Stony Lonesome offers several onsite accommodations, including tent campsites, RV campsites with full hookups, cabin rentals, and other unit rentals. Visit their website for further details.

Cullman, a 21-minute drive northeast, has the closest hotels.