Hanging Rock OHV Area Sandstone Ridge Trail

The sandstone cliffs of Hanging Rock rise like fortress walls above the Hocking River valley, and this technical loop threads through some of the most challenging terrain in southeastern Ohio. The trail winds through ancient rock formations carved by centuries of erosion, with steep sandstone ledges, tight squeezes between boulders, and technical climbs that test your spotter’s patience. The highlight comes at Raven Rock overlook, where you’ll park on a knife-edge ridge with 200-foot drops on both sides.

This is expert-level wheeling that demands lockers, 35-inch tires, and skid plates — plus the skills to use them. Rock sliders are mandatory, not optional, given the number of off-camber sandstone shelves you’ll scrape across. Open year-round, but spring offers the best grip on wet rock and fewer crowds. Dispersed camping is available throughout the forest, though the technical sections require full focus. You’ll earn every inch of this 12-mile loop, but the views from the ridgeline overlooks make the body damage worthwhile.