Pennsylvania, the Keystone state, is seen as the birthplace of the US. With amazing trails and the Appalachian Mountains running through its middle, it’s definitely a keystone of New England when it comes to exploring off-road.
Some of the best off-roading trails in the States can be found in Pennsylvania.
Our top 11 off road trails in PA are as follows:
- Rausch Creek Off-Road Park
- Mountain Ridge ATV Trails
- Breezewood Proving Grounds
- Deaf Run Trail
- Darkwater OHV Trail
- Top of the World / Lost Trails ATV Park
- Rock Run Recreation Area
- Nemacolin Woodlands Offroad Course
- Swift Run Trail
- Allegheny National Forest
- Broad Mountain Loop
You can’t go wrong picking Pennsylvania for your off-road trail exploration. There are miles of trails and some exciting park destinations and locations where you can practice your skills while not being too far from camping grounds and cleaning stations. Plus, there are fantastic events to look out for, too!
11 Best Off Road Trails in PA
1. Rausch Creek Off-Road Park
This 3,000-acre park can be found on the eastern side of the state and is an absolute delight for jeep trail lovers. You can ride your jeep, truck, or SUV here, and the trails rank from beginner/easy to difficult, so you know what to expect.
Have a look at their maps to find out about their 80 miles of forest roads and trails. They also have a human-made concrete/all-natural rock crawling course to practice your skills from the beginner to the pro-competition level.
The park is open all year, but there is a minimum 2-vehicle rule to drive here. However, you can get in touch with a buddy through the park.
Rausch Creek also holds weekly events for riders, so check their website and Facebook account to find out more.
Finally, you can’t ride quads, bikes, or STX/UTV in Rausch Creek Off-Road Park – but you can visit Rausch Creek Trail Riders’ park for that.
2. Mountain Ridge ATV Trails
Another area of 3,000 acres ideal for dirt bikes and ATVs can be found near Tamaqua, PA – the Mountain Ridge ATV Trails. Near Somerset and Indian Lake, you can find green hills, dirt tracks, and bogs.
More than 140 miles of trails await in this park, and you’ll also have access to special events, night rides, a campsite, a kiddie track, cabin rentals, and more! As far as ATV trails in PA state parks go, this is a fantastic spot.
They are open all week from Memorial Day to Labor Day and then on weekends only in May, September, and October. The trails close every year in November for the winter.
3. Breezewood Proving Grounds
More great off road trails in PA await near Clearville, PA, where you’ll find three motocross tracks for different levels. Breezewood Proving Grounds is an ideal place to hone your motocross jumping skills, including a water jump. Relax for a couple of days, and you’ll be ready to hit the more technical trails in state parks.
4. Deaf Run Trail
Set within the deep forest near Centre Hall, PA, this 3.1-km out and back trail is a small gem. It’s open to ATV and off-road drivers, as well as hikers and walkers. This is a great little destination right in the middle of Pennsylvania, located within Rothrock State Forest.
Rothrock State Forest is very popular with hikers (thanks to nearly 300 miles of hiking trails) and mountain bikers to make a more extended stop there for a range of outdoor activities.
5. Darkwater OHV Trail
Are you looking for off-road trails in Pennsylvania without the stress of walkers or hikers? Darkwater OHV Trail ticks all the boxes. It’s located just near Beechwood, PA, and covers 51.3 km of trails snaking around a lake and climbing just short of 1000m throughout. You get great views and won’t be far from Tamaqua with their Mountain Ridge ATV trails, and other great off-road trails in Northeast PA.
6. Top of the World / Lost Trails ATV Park
Just near Scranton, PA, you can find this 6.8 km loop trail recommended for riding between April and November. You might encounter dogs and walkers, but it’s a great place to take in excellent riding and beautiful scenery. You’ll be on private property, so you need to make sure you’re there during daylight only.
Dunmore Reservoir is part of the Lost Trails ATV Park, so you’ll be close to over 2,000 acres of woodland trails where you can ride ATVs, UTVs, and dirt bikes. The park has been in operation since 2011 for recreational trail riding. It offers day passes and multi-day and seasonal membership in return for maintaining excellent quality trails for you to enjoy. And if you’re just starting out in off-roading, you can even book an ATV guided rental tour (so you don’t even need to bring your own vehicle!).
7. Rock Run Recreation Area
One of the best areas for jeep off-road trails near Pittsburgh PA, Rock Run Recreation Area has over 140 miles of tracks for 4×4 vehicles and various levels of difficulty. It’s a great park to spend a few days in, well maintained and relatively cheap (charging $22 for a day of ATV riding at the weekend, and $27 for OHV driving). You’ll also find a great community atmosphere here, with lots of events organized all year round. Enjoy the Allegheny Mountains and even camp on site!
The area is open April to October, timings varying depending on the month.
8. Nemacolin Woodlands Offroad Course
Within the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, this offroad course is suitable for those just getting into jeep riding and is basically a guided experience. There are 20 miles of trails to experience as well as a rock garden, and instructors can help you hone your skills. You can even ride one of their jeeps rather than bring your own!
9. Swift Run Trail
It may only be 3.3 miles long, but this little trail near McClure, PA, is a great off-road trail in Pennsylvania. You’ll see some of the last old-growth hemlock trees in the area and admire some beautiful scenery. It’s a challenging trail, so make sure you’re ready for it! To make a loop of it, throw in Thick Mountain too.
10. Allegheny National Forest
If you’re looking for ATV trails in PA state parks, head to Allegheny National Forest, where you’ll find more than 100 miles of them. There are various riding areas and many different loops you can ride here. Check out PA Wilds for maps of the multiple trail networks and ratings of difficulty levels. Some of these trails have official opening times throughout the year, while some are individually open between Memorial Day and the last Sunday in September. Depending on bad weather, some might be closed, so it’s best to check with the Forest Service before you plan a trip.
Marienville ATV trail is known as one of the best PA off road trails near Pittsburgh PA, between the towns of Kane and Marienville along State Route 66.
11. Broad Mountain Loop
Initially designed for mountain biking, this trail is excellent for jeep riding too. You’ll be wading through the Lehigh River and enjoying lovely wildlife and flowers. Covering 18.5 km, the trail is suitable for all levels and can be reached north of Nesquehoning, PA.
Off Road Trails in PA – Enjoy the Ride!
So, what are the best off road trails in PA? To summarize, here’s the list once again:
- Rausch Creek Off-Road Park
- Mountain Ridge ATV Trails
- Breezewood Proving Grounds
- Deaf Run Trail
- Darkwater OHV Trail
- Top of the World / Lost Trails ATV Park
- Rock Run Recreation Area
- Nemacolin Woodlands Offroad Course
- Swift Run Trail
- Allegheny National Forest
- Broad Mountain Loop
All in all, Pennsylvania offers lots of opportunities for off-roading, either on ATVs or in jeeps. You’ll be joining numerous mountain bikers too, so be sure to check the trail use in advance and be aware of any restrictions and giving way you might have to do.
Pennsylvania state parks offer a rich network of mountain riding, from muddy bogs to beautiful green scenery and wildflowers. Whether you’re looking for a more all-in-one organized setting like the parks at Rausch Creek or Rock Run Recreation Area, or are willing to hunt for some more remote off-road trails, there’s something for everyone in PA!
Kris is an avid off-roader and outdoor enthusiast who loves to brave the elements and take on challenging terrain. He also enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge with others so that they, too, can appreciate the ride.
About Kris