Tennessee Trails

Windrock 51: Panther Rock

4.8/5 (5 reviews)

Oliver Springs, Tennessee (Anderson County)

Last Updated: 11/30/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

Forest

Mud

ORV Park

Scenic

Located in the northeast part of Windrock Park, Trail 51 takes you to a breathtaking overlook named Panther Rock. This namesake rock feature overlooking the surrounding mountains and Three Forks Hollow is the perfect offroad trail for a lunch picnic or a romantic dinner at sunset. Whether you visit for the views or the Jeep Badge of Honor designation, Panther Rock is a "must-do" Tennessee offroad trail.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Ryan Boudreau

Official Crew

Trail Navigation

Panther Rock has a combination of rock, gravel, hard dirt, soft rutty sections, and large mud holes. After a rain, the terrain will be muddy and slick, and the rocks will be slippery. This is a straight-through, 2.4-mile trail with several unnamed obstacles, including two mud pits, rutty hill climbs, and one small rock ledge. This trail is a high-end moderate trail, suitable for beginners and stock 4x4s with low range. Expect the trail to push the abilities of a stock vehicle, especially in wet weather. Moderately modified vehicles with at least 33" tires will have no problems traversing this trail.

1. Western Trailhead (0 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 1: Western Trailhead

The western trailhead begins at the G66 intersection. Pass through a shallow mud hole and continue north.

2. Rocky (0.27 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 2: Rocky

This section of 12'-16" rocks lasts for 15 yards and is one of the rockier sections of the trail. The trail is wide enough to choose a variety of lines through this section.

3. Mud Hole (0.75 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 3: Mud Hole

This deep and sticky mud hole has a couple of lines through it, neither of which are very easy. The departure out of the mud is very steep with large ruts/ It is obvious many differentials drag on the way out. Bypass to the left.

4. Hill Climb (0.97 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 4: Hill Climb

This steep hill climb could prove to be problematic during wet weather. There are shallow trenches on both sides of the trail where tires have previously eaten away the soggy soil. Stay in the trenches or straddle them up the hill.

5. Trail Split - Stay Right (1.26 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 5: Trail Split - Stay Right

This trail split can be confusing. Head downhill to the right and follow one of the many paths that all eventually converge and take you to the Panther Rock overlook. You will return to this point after visiting the overlook. Please be aware that several of the paths downhill are extremely rutted and washed out. Tire placement is critical, and drivers should expect a good suspension workout. The soil here is soft, and on a rainy day, coming back up the hill could prove to be rather tricky. Heading straight will bypass the overlook and continue along the trail.

6. Panther Rock (1.47 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 6: Panther Rock

This scenic outcropping makes for phenomenal photos. The adventurous can cautiously journey over a crevice and out onto the rock with their vehicle for that "top of the world" type photo. While multiple vehicles can fit out onto the rock, it may become impossible to turn around with multiple vehicles there. Proceed with caution and be aware of holes and drop-offs. Return up the hill to Waypoint 5 and continue following the trail to the northeast.

7. Obstacle (1.72 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 7: Obstacle

This flexy rock obstacle will test your suspension and tire traction.

8. Mud Hole (1.79 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 8: Mud Hole

This unavoidable mud hole has three different paths. The far right is the deepest and stickiest mud. The middle path has deep tire ruts but is not as deep as the far right. The far left is the shallowest and has a very solid bottom. The water on the left line shouldn't get above hub depth.

9. Y Intersection - Stay Right (1.91 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 9: Y Intersection - Stay Right

The trail continues to the right at an area that has been recently logged and clear-cut. The unmarked road to the left is for timber harvesting.

10. Intersection - Drivers Choice (2.02 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 10: Intersection - Drivers Choice

Come to a 4-way intersection at a gravel road. To the right is an oil pad. Turning left will intersect with Waypoint 12 and lead you directly to the end of Panther Rock at G53. There are no further obstacles along the main trail, but continuing straight will take you to the Wilson Cemetery.

11. Wilson Cemetery (2.23 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 11: Wilson Cemetery

This old cemetery dates back to the 1800s and is still being actively used today. Feel free to look, but please be respectful of the area.

12. Trail Split - Stay Right (2.26 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 12: Trail Split - Stay Right

Intersect with the same road you crossed at Waypoint 10. Stay right to finish the trail.

13. Eastern Trailhead (2.43 mi)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock - Waypoint 13: Eastern Trailhead

The trail comes to an end at a multi-point intersection. Behind you to the left is trail G50 which will take you back to where you started and the New River Highway. To the right and left is G53. To the right will take you to Slatestone Road and the town of Briceville. Straight ahead is G52 and leads you deeper into the northeast corner of the park.

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (5)

Ryan Boudreau

Official Crew

102300

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 11/10/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Reading some of the reviews on the Badge of Honor app, I was expecting this trail to be pretty difficult. It was not at all as some people described, but still a fun trail, and the overlook is totally awesome! It definitely has some washout spots that are probably tricky when it's wet, but the park as a whole has tons of washouts that are tricky when wet. And the ruts/washouts along this trail are very mild in comparison to other trails closer to the general store. Out of all 3 Badge of Honor trail in Windrock, I would rate this one as the easiest in terms of difficulty and the second best for scenery.

Esther Newcomb

500

Open

Visited: 05/20/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

We took G1 to 50 to get to 51, next time we will take Rt 116 and turn left onto 50 to cut 2 hours off the trail ride. The park has recently cut down alot of trees at the entrance and I lost my bearing for a minute. The right of the trail at the beginning is doable and then you have a bypass before the V notches or you can stay to the left down the obstacle. Made it to the Rock and it was amazing site for those that traveled days to wheel there.

Ron Rogers

400

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 03/16/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

We visited in early spring and the trail had been washed out from the snow melt and rains. The Windrock employees had told us the trail was in rough shape and they were right. Regardless, we had a great ride and really enjoyed Panther Rock. Take your time and have a good spotter and even a stock Jeep can make it (they will need to bypass the difficult section).

Brandon McCullough

Official Crew

2050

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 09/20/2019

This trail is great! Just technical enough to make it fun / challenging and the view is amazing!

Brian

200

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 08/24/2019

This is a great Jeep Badge of Honor trail with awesome views. Unfortunately we had heavy rain our entire trip which made all trails much more difficult than they would have been dry. The clay turned to ice and made wheeling a little challenging, we were not able to drive down to Panther Rock due to wash out and slickness but we did walk down to enjoy the view. The normal run up the side of the trail once leaving Panther Rock was washed out heavy so we had to hill climb up the clay center section. If you are in a JL Rubicon once at the top there are 2 trees that are extremely narrow you have to fit through. Super fun trail regardless of the weather and would have been fairly easy if dry, we will be going back to complete Trail 16 this year (had to skip due to weather and trail conditions)

Windrock 51: Panther Rock

Trail Information

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Trail Difficulty and Assessment

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Trail Navigation

1. Western Trailhead (0 mi)

2. Rocky (0.27 mi)

3. Mud Hole (0.75 mi)

4. Hill Climb (0.97 mi)

5. Trail Split - Stay Right (1.26 mi)

6. Panther Rock (1.47 mi)

7. Obstacle (1.72 mi)

8. Mud Hole (1.79 mi)

9. Y Intersection - Stay Right (1.91 mi)

10. Intersection - Drivers Choice (2.02 mi)

11. Wilson Cemetery (2.23 mi)

12. Trail Split - Stay Right (2.26 mi)

13. Eastern Trailhead (2.43 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Ryan Boudreau

Windrock 51: Panther Rock

Trail Information

Highlights

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Recommended Vehicle:

Concerns:

Summary:

Community Consensus

0 votes

2 votes

1 votes

Mandatory

Optional

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Trail Navigation

1. Western Trailhead (0 mi)

2. Rocky (0.27 mi)

3. Mud Hole (0.75 mi)

4. Hill Climb (0.97 mi)

5. Trail Split - Stay Right (1.26 mi)

6. Panther Rock (1.47 mi)

7. Obstacle (1.72 mi)

8. Mud Hole (1.79 mi)

9. Y Intersection - Stay Right (1.91 mi)

10. Intersection - Drivers Choice (2.02 mi)

11. Wilson Cemetery (2.23 mi)

12. Trail Split - Stay Right (2.26 mi)

13. Eastern Trailhead (2.43 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Ryan Boudreau

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