Mohican State Forest ATV Trail System
Ohio's gnarliest legal trail system
The Mohican ATV Trail System sprawls across 4,525 acres of Ohio’s most challenging public off-road terrain, where sandstone ridges drop into muddy creek bottoms and rocky climbs separate weekend warriors from serious riders. The 25-mile network includes the notorious Devil’s Backbone ridge section and multiple crossings of the Clear Fork Mohican River, with trail markers every quarter-mile to keep you oriented through dense hardwood forest that swallows GPS signals whole.
Rated moderate to difficult, these trails demand high-clearance 4WD with skid plates and recovery gear—spring mud holes will swallow stock trucks whole. Open year-round but prime season runs May through October when creek levels drop and the trail surface firms up. No permits required, just a $5 daily parking fee. Dispersed camping available at nearby Mohican State Park. You’ll earn every mile through Ohio’s most technical legal wheeling, with enough variety to challenge any rig.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 25 mi / 40.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1240 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Loudonville, Ohio |
| Land manager | Ohio Department of Natural Resources |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.