Designated Off-Road Vehicle Trails That are Open for Public Use

20ravens52 · Jul 26, 2017

Does anyone have any experience on any of these trails? Are they strictly for ORV's or can full size 4X4's use them?

http://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/ORV/trails.aspx

Daveyboysmith · Jul 26, 2017

Marked for following. Have a 4x4 ranger I'd love to test if the trails aren't to strenuous.

20ravens52 · Jul 26, 2017

Daveyboysmith said:
Marked for following. Have a 4x4 ranger I'd love to test if the trails aren't to strenuous.

I'm with you. I've got a 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-road and I'd like to test it out "a little".

DraKhen99 · Jul 26, 2017

Daveyboysmith said:
Marked for following. Have a 4x4 ranger I'd love to test if the trails aren't to strenuous.

Me too, except I've got an F-150!

-John

Daveyboysmith · Jul 26, 2017

Bump. Anyone have first hand knowledge?

davsco · Jul 26, 2017

from your link above, below is for the new st john's rock area:

A full-size rock crawl area for four-wheel drive vehicles.

BUFF7MM · Jul 26, 2017

Years ago I used to run my 4X4 Chevy P/U on the Poplar Lick trail just south of New Gremany state park, but it has long since been closed to vehicular traffic. From what I'm reading it says 2 and 4 wheel vehicles. Call the numbers listed for each appropriate state forest headquarters would be the best bet.

sxs · Jul 30, 2017

Buff7mm said:
Years ago I used to run my 4X4 Chevy P/U on the Poplar Lick trail just south of New Gremany state park, but it has long since been closed to vehicular traffic. From what I'm reading it says 2 and 4 wheel vehicles. Call the numbers listed for each appropriate state forest headquarters would be the best bet.

Loved driving Poplar Lick back in the day. Had a Ford Bronco II back there in the 80's and 90's and an Explorer there at least around 2001 or 2002. Even drove back there a few times in the 80's to hunt deer. I know I last drove my kids on it when camping in the area some years back...I guessing perhaps 12 - 15 years ago. Then 6 or 8 years ago I intended to pay it a visit with my F150, and it was closed. When did they completely close it, Buff? Do you know?

Biggfoot44 · Jul 30, 2017

Likewise poplar lick . Drove the trail. Went hiking side trail. Went hunting in vicinity. All back in the day of course.

davsco · Jul 31, 2017

Biggfoot44 said:
Likewise poplar lick . Drove the trail. Went hiking side trail. Went hunting in vicinity. All back in the day of course.

was that the one with all the stream crossings? that was a fun little trail, did it a buncha times will all the nieces and nephews on various dirt bikes and quads.

BUFF7MM · Jul 31, 2017

sxs said:
Loved driving Poplar Lick back in the day. Had a Ford Bronco II back there in the 80's and 90's and an Explorer there at least around 2001 or 2002. Even drove back there a few times in the 80's to hunt deer. I know I last drove my kids on it when camping in the area some years back...I guessing perhaps 12 - 15 years ago. Then 6 or 8 years ago I intended to pay it a visit with my F150, and it was closed. When did they completely close it, Buff? Do you know?

I'm not really sure when it closed for good, but I'm thinking its closure had something to do with native brook trout in the stream and the several crossing that were on the trail, plus I think a select few would try to break new trails off the main trail and that was a definately no no.

sxs · Jul 31, 2017

Buff7mm said:
I'm not really sure when it closed for good, but I'm thinking its closure had something to do with native brook trout in the stream and the several crossing that were on the trail, plus I think a select few would try to break new trails off the main trail and that was a definately no no.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Brook trout did play some role, but the official excuse I heard from some Park personnel was that ATVs were not only running up and down the ORV trail, but also just about anywhere they took a notion to go causing erosion and related issues. Guess that's what you meant by breaking new trails.

Overboost44 · Aug 1, 2017

This is interesting. I just bought a FJ Cruiser and I am getting the itch to take it off-road. i will have to make some calls to see if these are options.

Kyler · Aug 1, 2017

St John's Rock only has a rock crawl for 4x4 vehicles. The road is blah but you can drive it. The trails are okay for a side0by-side but pretty tight and rough--lots of rocks.

outrider58 · Aug 1, 2017

Buff7mm said:
I'm not really sure when it closed for good, but I'm thinking its closure had something to do with native brook trout in the stream and the several crossing that were on the trail, plus I think a select few would try to break new trails off the main trail and that was a definately no no.

I noticed a lot of those Brookie streams have become protected/no kill now so your hunch could be legitimate. Monroe Run is another one(used to backpack and flyfish it myself).

BUFF7MM · Aug 1, 2017

sxs said:
I wouldn't be surprised if the Brook trout did play some role, but the official excuse I heard from some Park personnel was that ATVs were not only running up and down the ORV trail, but also just about anywhere they took a notion to go causing erosion and related issues. Guess that's what you meant by breaking new trails.

Yep that's the trail breakers.

BUFF7MM · Aug 1, 2017

outrider58 said:
I noticed a lot of those Brookie streams have become protected/no kill now so your hunch could be legitimate. Monroe Run is another one(used to backpack and flyfish it myself).

Yep there's a pile of little tributaries that are full of those little buggers and the state is doing what they have to do to protect them, I just don't understand why the no natural bait rule is in effect in places like Savage River . Ok thread Jack over from my end.

sclag22 · Aug 1, 2017

Overboost44 said:
This is interesting. I just bought a FJ Cruiser and I am getting the itch to take it off-road. i will have to make some calls to see if these are options.

4Runner owner here. We off-road at GWNF (free) and then there are places like Rausch Creek that are pay to play. We are also a part of an October 4Runner group (doesn't have to be all 4Runners, it just originates on a 4Runner forum t4r.org) at the Cove in Gore, VA. Also pay to play, but a lot of fun. Hit me up if you ever want to try and get together.

Same thing to OP. Always good to meet new people and get out on the trails!

Overboost44 · Aug 1, 2017

sclag22 said:
4Runner owner here. We off-road at GWNF (free) and then there are places like Rausch Creek that are pay to play. We are also a part of an October 4Runner group (doesn't have to be all 4Runners, it just originates on a 4Runner forum t4r.org) at the Cove in Gore, VA. Also pay to play, but a lot of fun. Hit me up if you ever want to try and get together.

Same thing to OP. Always good to meet new people and get out on the trails!

I appreciate the offer and the knowledge that this is an option. Both of those are likely more than I would take on at this point in time. I just figured the Western MD stuff would be good because I go up there a couple of times a year.

I just got this FJ so I have a lot of reading to do. There are too many forums and not enough time. Right now I am trying to find the right wheels/tires/head unit among all the other accessories that I want/need.

Biggfoot44 · Aug 1, 2017

I wasn't going to be the first to say it, but a lot more opportunities outside of Md.

GWNF.
Plenty of WV's minimally maintained "regular" County roads are gnarlier than designated 4x4 tails .

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