Buckeye Trail Wayne National Forest Winding Stair Gap Technical Loop
Technical sandstone challenge in Ohio's backcountry
The Buckeye Trail’s most challenging vehicle-accessible section cuts through Wayne National Forest near Winding Stair Gap, where 300-million-year-old Pennsylvanian sandstone creates natural rock gardens that’ll test your approach angles. This 12-mile loop follows old logging roads up ridgelines that overlook the Muskingum River watershed, with technical sections requiring careful line choice through boulder fields and exposed bedrock. The highlight is the climb to Fire Tower Ridge, where remnants of Depression-era CCC camps dot the landscape.
Difficult terrain demanding articulation and rock sliders — this isn’t stock truck country. Experienced drivers with modified 4WDs should plan a full day to navigate the steepest sections without tearing up the trail. Best from late spring through fall when conditions firm up. No permits required, and primitive camping is allowed at designated spots along the ridgeline. You earn sweeping views of southeastern Ohio’s hills and a genuine appreciation for the region’s geological complexity.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1380 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with armor |
| Nearest town | Marietta, Ohio |
| Land manager | U.S. Forest Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| 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 run Winding Stair Gap, or do I need armor?
A stock Wrangler will get hurt here. The sandstone ledges and embedded rock sections will drag your skids, bash your rocker panels, and potentially catch your diff covers. Minimum spec is a lifted rig with full skid protection and rock sliders — this is not a trail for factory plastic.
When is Winding Stair Gap actually open and driveable?
Best window is May through October. Spring mud can make the clay sections impassable even for capable rigs, and winter ice on the sandstone ledges turns an already technical trail into a serious hazard. Check with Wayne National Forest before going in early spring.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to run this trail?
No permit is required and there's no fee to wheel this trail — it's U.S. Forest Service land in Wayne National Forest. Standard rules apply: pack out everything, stay on designated routes, and don't camp in unauthorized areas.
What's the hardest section and what makes it gnarly?
The technical rock gardens along the sandstone ridges are where rigs get tested — expect steep, uneven ledge climbs with limited line choice and exposure on the sides. Approach and departure angles matter a lot here; one bad line and you're hung up on ancient Ohio sandstone with nobody nearby to hear you on the radio.
Is there any cell service on the trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There is zero cell service on this trail — plan like you're completely off-grid. Marietta, Ohio is your last stop for fuel; top off there because you won't find a gas station between town and the trailhead.
Trail track
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