Hanging Rock Trailhead


Area Status: Open

This trailhead is part of the Hanging Rock OHV Trail 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.

At a Glance

Operational Hours:
  • 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.
Fees: OHV riding requires a trail permit
Restrictions: 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.
Water: None
Restroom: Vault Toilets
Operated By:

Ironton Ranger District

General Information

General Notes:

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.


Directions:

This trailhead is part of the Hanging Rock System.

To find this trailhead:

  • 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.

Parking:

Ample parking is available at trailheads.


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

As part of Hanging Rock OHV System, seventy-one miles of trail are available to mountain bikes. See our Hanging Rock Mountain Biking guide for full details. Loops of a variety of lengths offer hikers many different distances depending on the time they have available.

Hours of Operation:
  • Open April 15 - Dec 15 for OHV and mountain bike riding. 
  • Day and night (with lights) access is permitted.
Difficulty Level: Difficult

Dispersed Camping

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 bonfires are allowed.
  • No standing or green trees may be cut.
  • Check the bulletin boards to ensure no fire bans are in effect.
No. of Sites Primitive camping is dispersed at trailhead.
Reservation Info Sites are not able to be reserved.
No. of Accessible sites 0
Hours of Operation:
  • Open April 15 - Dec 15 for camping.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Day Hiking

As part of the Hanging Rock OHV System, this trail system is designed primarily for all-terrain vehicles and off-highway motorcycles but hikers are welcome. seventy-one miles of trail are available, but loops of a variety of lengths offer hikers many different distances depending on the time they have available.

Hours of Operation:
  • Open year round for hiking. 
  • Day and night (with lights) access is permitted.
Difficulty Level: Difficult

OHV Camping

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.

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 bonfires are allowed.
  • No standing or green trees may be cut.
  • Check the bulletin boards to ensure no fire bans are in effect.
No. of Sites Primitive camping is dispersed at trailhead.
Reservation Info Sites are not able to be reserved.
No. of Accessible sites 0
Hours of Operation:
  • Open April 15 - Dec 15 for camping.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate

OHV Trail Riding

As part of the Hanging Rock OHV System, this trail system is designed primarily for ATV/OHMs. Loops of a variety of lengths offer riders many different lengths and a variety of challenges depending on the time they have available and their skill level.

Class of Vehicle under 50 inches in width
Staging Area At trailhead
Permit required?: Y
Hours of Operation: Open April 15 - Dec 15 for OHV and mountain bike riding.  Day and night (with lights) access is permitted.
Difficulty Level: Difficult

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
38.5808979

  Longitude : 
-82.72447563