This Enormous Ohio Off-Road Area Was Once Strip-Mined For Coal And Now Spans 1,800 Acres Of Rugged Adventure

The mud gives the place away first. Then the engines start echoing through the hills, and old coal country suddenly feels less like history and more like a challenge with tire tracks.

Across this roughly 1,800-acre Ohio scramble area shaped by decades-old strip mining, steep climbs, muddy double track, marked trails, user-developed paths, ridgetop views, and wide riding space keep the day moving fast.

Dirt bikes, ATVs, and qualifying side-by-sides all find their own kind of trouble out here, usually with a little mud involved.

This is the sort of off-road area where the rough edges are the whole point. Around here, old strip-mine scars, loud engines, and one more hill to climb still know exactly how to turn rugged land into an adventure.

A Trailhead Carved From Coal Country History

The story here starts with surface mining, long before any engine roared across the hills.

Much of Perry State Forest was strip-mined for coal before modern reclamation laws, leaving behind uneven ridges, hollows, and rugged ground.

The state began acquiring the property in 1961, and some reclamation and reforestation followed over the years. The Perry State Forest APV area was established in 1972 and now covers roughly 1,800 acres.

I found the parking area easy to spot, with plenty of room to unload trailers even on a busy afternoon. Gravel crunches under your tires as you pull in, and the trails start right where the lot ends.

What amazed me most was how the old mining scars became part of the charm. The bumpy terrain and steep faces exist because of that history, not in spite of it.

There is a certain thrill in knowing you are riding across land shaped by Ohio’s coal-mining past. It gives every trail a quiet backstory.

Come ready with a full tank, a secured trailer, and a sense of adventure. The official APV parking area is at 5865 Township Road 154 NE, New Lexington, OH 43764.

Miles Of Trails That Are Bigger Than They Look

Do not let the map fool you into thinking this is a quick loop. ODNR lists more than 24 miles of marked APV trails inside the scramble area, plus unmarked user-developed trails.

My first visit only scratched the surface, and it took a second trip to cover most of what is out there. Even then, I kept finding paths I had missed.

The marked routes help when you are trying to find your way back. Signs point you toward the main trails, while the user-developed routes add another layer of exploration.

The catch is that some of those unmarked trails narrow quickly into single track and can leave you deep in the woods before you realize it.

I learned to stay alert and note landmarks along the way. Exploring the user-developed trails is part of the appeal, but riders still need to stay inside the designated APV scramble area.

Plan on spending a full day here, and maybe come back for more. The ground truly stretches farther than your first ride will suggest, and that is part of the reward waiting in these woods.

A Hill Climber’s Dream Come True

Steep hills are the heartbeat of this place. Riders who love pointing their machines uphill will feel right at home on these slopes.

I tackled a few climbs that got my heart pounding, and each one gave a real sense of accomplishment at the top. The terrain rewards good throttle control and a little bravery.

Some of the best hill climbs in southern Ohio live right here. The reclaimed mining ground left behind sharp rises that make perfect challenges.

Beginners can find gentler slopes to build confidence, while experienced riders can push toward the tougher faces. There is a climb for just about every skill level.

Loose dirt and roots keep things interesting, so I always made sure my tires had good grip before charging up. A slow, steady approach worked better than raw speed.

Reaching the crest of a big climb never got old for me. The view opens up, your engine settles, and you feel like you earned every foot of that ride.

For hill lovers, this spot delivers exactly the kind of rugged fun they crave.

Mud, Double Track, And Several Kinds Of Machines

Prepare to get dirty, because the mud here is legendary. The double track trails hold plenty of it, especially after rain.

ATV and qualifying side-by-side riders will find deep, splashy mud holes waiting to test their nerve. I laughed my way through more than one, coming out coated head to toe.

The wider routes suit bigger permitted machines that need room to roll. Ohio allows off-highway motorcycles, four-wheelers, and registered utility vehicles or side-by-sides in the APV area, with a maximum APV width of 62 inches.

Dirt bikes fit in nicely too, weaving between the mud and the narrower cuts. Riders should make sure their machine meets the current registration and equipment rules before unloading.

I brought along a change of clothes and a few towels, and I was glad I did. Mud finds its way into everything before the day is done.

A word of advice: check trail conditions after heavy rain, since some holes get deep fast. Bring a buddy in case you need a tug.

The mud is messy, the grins are wide, and the memories stick around long after the dirt washes off.

User-Developed Trails That Set This Place Apart

Here is something you rarely find at other Ohio riding areas. Perry includes unmarked user-developed trails inside its designated APV scramble area in addition to more than 24 miles of marked routes.

That extra network changed the whole experience for me. Instead of staying only on the main marked trails, I could explore narrower user-developed routes that branch through the riding area.

The former strip-mining terrain creates steep hills, hollows, and rough ground that make those trails feel far less predictable than a groomed loop.

It does mean you need to keep your bearings, since it is easy to lose track of where you started. I paid close attention to landmarks and stayed inside the designated APV boundaries.

This spot feels wilder and rougher than more polished parks. If you want groomed, flowing trails with few surprises, other Ohio riding areas suit that better.

For me, the untamed nature was the whole appeal. The mix of marked routes and user-developed trails made every ride feel like a small expedition.

Respect the boundaries, follow current ODNR rules, and this unusual scramble-area setup will give you a sense of adventure that is genuinely hard to match nearby.

Stunning Vistas Waiting At The Ridgetops

Beyond the mud and engines lies real beauty. Several of the ridgetop vistas stopped me in my tracks.

Climbing to the higher points rewarded me with wide views stretching across rolling southern Ohio countryside. The green hills seemed to roll on forever.

These overlooks are absolutely worth the effort it takes to reach them. I found myself shutting off the engine just to sit and soak it all in.

Morning light gave the hills a soft glow, while late afternoon painted long shadows across the ridges. Both times of day made for great photos.

The scenery reminds you that this land recovered from its mining past in a beautiful way. Trees, grass, and open sky replaced the old industrial scars.

I packed a small snack and took breaks at the best viewpoints. Those quiet moments balanced out the adrenaline of the trails.

Bring a camera or your phone, because you will want to capture these views. The combination of rugged riding and peaceful scenery is a rare treat, and it kept pulling me back for another look at the horizon.

Watch Out For Those Sneaky Single Track Paths

The hidden single track is both a blessing and a warning. Skilled riders love the tight, twisty paths tucked deep in the trees.

I stumbled onto several of these narrow cuts, and they added a real challenge to the day. Finding them almost feels like a treasure hunt.

The tricky part is how fast an unmarked trail can shrink. What starts as an easy path can turn into thin single track before you know it.

More than once I found myself deep in the woods, unsure which way led back. Slowing down and staying calm always helped me sort it out.

Bike riders especially rave about the single track here, since there is plenty of it if you know where to look. It rewards patience and a good eye.

My advice is to explore these paths with care and never ride alone into the unknown. Cell service can be spotty out there.

Take note of turns as you go so the return trip is smoother. Handled wisely, the hidden single track becomes one of the most rewarding parts of the whole experience.

Riding Hours And Seasonal Access

Timing your visit here takes a little planning. The APV area is not open for riding around the clock.

Ohio rules allow riding from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. The wider state forest is generally open from 6 AM to 11 PM.

The APV area also closes seasonally each winter, beginning on the second Monday in December and reopening on the first Friday in April unless otherwise posted.

Parking has plenty of room for trucks and trailers, though busy weekends can naturally draw more riders.

The gravel lot gives trailers room to maneuver, which matters when you are unloading several machines before a long day.

Weekdays tend to be quieter, while weekends bring more riders and a livelier atmosphere. Both have their own appeal depending on what you want.

Check current ODNR conditions and closure notices before leaving home. That little bit of planning makes it much easier to turn the available daylight into a full day of riding.

Smart Tips To Keep Your Truck And Gear Safe

A little caution goes a long way in the parking lot. Securing your vehicle and trailer should be at the top of your list.

I learned to lock my hitch and double-check my trailer before heading out onto the trails. Leaving things loose is just asking for trouble.

Not everyone who passes through is careful with other people’s property. It pays to remove valuables and keep your setup buttoned up tight.

Simple steps make a big difference. A hitch lock, secured chains, and a quick photo of your parking spot can save headaches later.

I also let a friend know where I was riding and roughly when I expected to return. Out here, that kind of habit brings peace of mind.

Bringing a basic tool kit and a first aid pack is smart too. The remote trails mean help is not always close by.

None of this should scare you off, since most visits go perfectly smoothly. A few sensible precautions simply let you focus on the fun.

Ride hard, explore boldly, and take care of your gear so the only thing you carry home is a truckload of great memories.

How It Stacks Up Against Other Ohio Riding Spots

Every off-road park has its own personality, and this one leans rugged. It is not the place for smooth, flowing, heavily groomed trails.

The terrain here is raw, muddy, and steep, which is exactly what draws a certain kind of rider. I count myself among that crowd.

Compared to spots like Wayne National Forest, the trails here feel wilder and less polished. Those other areas offer faster, cleaner paths with fewer mud holes.

If you crave technical challenges, deep mud, and big climbs, this is your kind of ground. The difficulty is part of the reward.

Riders wanting an easier, more relaxed day might prefer one of the more maintained parks nearby. There is no shame in matching the trail to your mood.

I appreciated having options across the region, since different days call for different rides. Sometimes I want smooth, and sometimes I want rough.

Knowing what you are getting into helps you plan the right trip. This place proudly wears its rugged reputation, and for those who love a real test, it stands tall among Ohio’s best riding destinations.