Clear Creek Valley Ravine Trail
Ohio's gnarliest sandstone technical challenge
Clear Creek Valley cuts a jagged wound through southeastern Ohio’s sandstone plateau, and this unmarked trail follows old logging roads through some of the state’s most challenging terrain. The route traces abandoned timber cuts from the 1940s, threading between towering hemlock groves and dropping into ravines where Clear Creek has carved deep channels through Blackhand sandstone. The crux comes at Ravine Fork crossing, where drivers navigate a technical rock garden with basketball-sized boulders and a seasonal creek that can turn violent after spring rains.
This is genuine technical 4×4 territory requiring low-range gearing, skid plates, and aggressive all-terrain tires minimum. Spring and fall offer the best conditions with moderate water levels, though summer provides reliable creek crossings for camping along the valley floor. No permits needed but respect private property boundaries marked by orange blazes. You’ll earn solitude in Ohio’s most rugged backcountry and some of the best primitive camping east of the Mississippi.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 8 mi / 12.9 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1180 ft |
| Best season | April-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Logan, Ohio |
| Land manager | Ohio Department of Natural Resources |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run this trail without modifications?
No. Stock rigs will get hung up on the sandstone rock gardens. At minimum you need a lift, skid plates, and all-terrain tires — lockers are strongly recommended for the tighter technical sections.
When is the trail open and are there conditions that make it impassable?
Best window is April through November. Spring crossings run high and fast after rain — the water crossings can become legitimately dangerous. After heavy rain at any point in the season, give it 48 hours before running it.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp here?
The trail falls under Ohio Department of Natural Resources jurisdiction. Check current ODNR requirements before you go — some Hocking Hills backcountry areas require camping registration. No fee is typically charged for trail access itself, but that can change.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The sandstone rock gardens mid-trail are the crux — sloped, slick when wet, and tight enough that one bad line choice puts your rocker panels on stone. Wet sandstone has almost no grip, so if you're running it after rain, expect to work for every foot of forward progress.
Is there any gas or cell service near the trailhead, and how should I plan for that?
Cell service is completely dead on trail. Fill up in Logan before you head out — it's your last reliable stop. Let someone know your itinerary and a return window before you lose signal, because self-rescue is the only rescue out here.
Trail track
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