Boone Fork OHV Complex

The Boone Fork system sprawls across 6,000 acres of Pisgah National Forest below Grandfather Mountain, offering everything from gentle forest roads to gnarly technical sections that’ll test your rig’s limits. The main loop follows old logging roads through second-growth hardwoods, but the real action happens on the technical spurs where massive granite boulders create natural obstacle courses. Creek crossings at Boone Fork itself can run knee-deep after heavy rains, while the notorious “Rock Garden” section near mile 4 has claimed more than a few oil pans.

Moderate to difficult depending on which loops you tackle – stock high-clearance vehicles can handle the main routes, but the technical spurs demand true 4WD with armor. Open year-round but best May through October when water levels drop. No fees or permits, just register at the trailhead kiosk. Multiple camping areas let you make a weekend of it. This is proper Appalachian wheeling where you’ll earn your stripes against some of the oldest mountains on the continent.