Rothrock State Forest Greenwood Furnace Historic Loop

The Greenwood Furnace Loop threads together a network of old logging roads and charcoal hauler routes that once fed the massive iron operation at Greenwood Furnace. Starting from the historic park, the route climbs over Broad Mountain on rocky, technical terrain to reach the abandoned Greenwood Fire Tower, then drops into Stone Creek Valley where you’ll find the crumbling stone stack of Jackson Furnace hidden in the laurel thickets. The original furnace produced 2,000 tons of pig iron annually in the 1830s using local ore and charcoal.

This is challenging territory that’ll test your line choice — loose shale, embedded rocks, and steep grades that get slippery when wet. A stock Jeep Wrangler or Toyota 4Runner handles it, but you’ll want skid plates and good tires. Avoid during mud season (March-April) and hunting seasons. The loop takes 4-5 hours with stops to explore the ruins. Primitive camping is allowed throughout Rothrock, and the fire tower offers spectacular views of the Seven Mountains region.