Zaleski State Forest Moonville Tunnel Rail-Trail

The old Baltimore & Ohio Railroad carved this route through southeastern Ohio’s rugged hills in the 1850s, and today the abandoned grade makes for prime overlanding through Zaleski State Forest. You’ll follow the Raccoon Creek watershed for 18 miles of rolling terrain, passing the crumbling stone arch of Moonville Tunnel — all that remains of a coal town that vanished decades ago. The tunnel itself sits halfway through the route, with foundations and old mining equipment scattered in the surrounding woods.

This is moderate terrain requiring high-clearance vehicles for creek crossings and muddy sections during spring runoff. Stock 4WD handles it fine in dry conditions, but the rocky creek beds and steep approaches to the tunnel demand attention. Best tackled April through October when water levels drop. No permits needed, and dispersed camping is allowed throughout the forest. You get genuine Appalachian mining history mixed with solid technical driving through Ohio’s forgotten coal country.