Hanging Rock OHV System
The Hanging Rock area of the Wayne National Forest provides some excellent opportunities for riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs). This system has 26 miles of trail available for off-highway vehicle, mountain bike, and hiking use.
These trails wind through an area strip-mined in the 1960's and 1970's. Much of the upland area was badly scarred, and some areas are left with steep slopes providing challenging trails to riders. The area is also known for its fishing ponds, 51 of which are available for fishing. The ponds which are scattered along the OHV trail, lend a picturesque backdrop to an OHV ride.
General Information
Trailhead
Maps
Maps of the Hanging Rock Trail System can be found on out OHV Trail Maps page. Maps are also provided when you purchase a trail permit.
- Trails are seasonally closed to off-highway vehicle and mountain bike use from winter to early spring. Visit our Recreation page to see seasonal open and close dates for the current year.
- Day and night (with lights) access is permitted.
- Open year-round for hiking.
For OHV riding:
- OHV Trail Permit required
- APV Registration required
- No vehicles greater than 50 inches wide allowed
- Possession of alcohol is prohibited on the Wayne National Forest per Ohio’s Open Container Law.
- Helmets and protective eye-wear required.
- Passengers may ride only if vehicle is designed by manufacturer to carry passengers.
Trail riding requires an OHV Trail Pass.
Address: 6518 State Route 93 Pedro, OH 45659
Phone: (740) 534-6500
Hours: Monday and Tuesday: office closed, phone calls only. Wednesday: office open noon to 4 p.m. Thursday: office open 8:30 to 11 a.m., noon to 4 p.m. Friday: office open 8:30 to 11 a.m., noon to 4 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Directions
Hanging Rock Trailhead - is accessed from State Highway 650 off U.S. Highway 52. Go north 3/4 mile to Forest Road 105. Stay on paved Forest Road 105 for approximately 1.5 miles to the paved trailhead parking.
Facility and Amenity Information
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
OHV Trail Riding Info
This 26 mile trail system is designed primarily for ATV/OHMs. Loops of a variety of lengths offer riders many different lengths of rides depending on the time they have available.
Much of the upland area where these trails are developed was badly scarred by strip mining, and some areas are left with steep slopes providing challenging trails to riders. The area is also known for its fishing ponds which are scattered along the ATV trail, lend a picturesque backdrop to an ATV ride. You may also intersect hiking trails, note that only trails marked with orange diamonds are designated for ATV use!
Staging Area
1 trailhead
Class of Vehicle
under 50 inches in width
OHV Camping Info
Camping is allowed at all of the campsites on the Hanging Rock OHV System, but only during the OHV and mountain biking open season. Please do not limit others' use of the area with your campsite.
No. of Sites
1
Fire Information
You can build a campfire as long as you have a 10 foot clearance around it and put a ring around it with rocks. Fires must be extinguished before leaving camp. No bon fires are allowed. No standing or green trees may be cut. Check the bulletin boards to ensure no fire bans are in effect.
Fishing - Lake & Pond Info
There are 50-75 ponds of various sizes - fish populations are surveyed and ponds stocked in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.
Special Designations
Some of the ponds can be driven to by vehicle, some by ATV, and some are walk-in only. Some of the ponds have been stocked with grass carp which must be returned.
Fish Species
largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, and catfish. All grass carp (whit amur) must be immediately returned to the pond unharmed.
Fishing Platform
shore or boat
Cleaning Station
none
Fishing Method
Some lakes are large enough to accommodate watercraft, others only for shore fishing.
Day Hikes Info
This trail system is designed primarily for ATV/OHMs but hikers are welcome. Loops of a variety of lengths offer hikers many different lengths of hikes depending on the time they have available.
Biking - Mountain Info
This trail system is available to all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, mountain bikes, and hiking.
Boating - Non-Motorized Info
As a result of past mining or quarrying in the Hanging Rock area of the Ironton Ranger District, there are areas where many ponds are clustered together in a relatively small area. These ponds range in size from ½ acre to 7 acres, and access can be easy to difficult. The ponds located along old mining haul roads receive the most fishing pressure, while those located in the remote and rugged areas rarely are visited by anglers. Many people will bring belly boats along with them when fishing the remote ponds but the larger ponds can be fished in bigger boats.
Trailer Parking
parking is provided at trailheads
Launch Ramps
dirt banks
Type of Craft
canoes, kayaks and flat-bottom Jon boats
Fuel availability
motors are not necessary in most of these ponds
Marina/Mooring
none