Perry State Forest Black Run Backcountry Trail
Reclaimed mine country creek crossings and clay hills
Black Run cuts through Perry State Forest’s reclaimed strip mining terrain like a muddy ribbon, serving up technical creek crossings and clay hills that’ll test your diff locks. The 12-mile loop winds past old mining spoil piles now grown thick with oak and maple, hitting the namesake Black Run Creek crossing three times before climbing the steep ridge overlooking Burr Oak Lake. The toughest section comes at mile 7 where Furnace Run meets the main trail—a rocky creek bed that turns into a slip-and-slide clay fest when wet.
This is moderate-to-difficult territory demanding high-clearance 4WD with skid plates and recovery gear. Spring through fall brings the worst conditions when Ohio clay turns trails into skating rinks, while winter freeze-ups offer the most predictable traction. No permits needed, but check with the forest office about seasonal closures during wet periods. You’ll earn backcountry solitude in one of Ohio’s more remote corners, plus decent primitive camping spots along the ridgeline with views over the lake.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1200 ft |
| Best season | October-March |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | New Lexington, Ohio |
| Land manager | Ohio Division of Forestry |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a built rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with skid plates can make it through, but the clay hills and creek crossings punish low-clearance vehicles hard. Lockers or at minimum a rear LSD are strongly advised — open diffs will leave you spinning on the greasy clay grades.
Why is the best season listed as October through March — isn't that mud season?
Counterintuitively, the clay surface is more manageable when it's cold and partially frozen than in the wet summer months when it turns into a wheel-swallowing bog. Summer heat and rain make this trail significantly harder and more destructive to the surface.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp in Perry State Forest?
No permit is required to drive the trail, and dispersed camping in Perry State Forest is free. Check in with the Ohio Division of Forestry or call the district office beforehand, as seasonal closures can happen with little online notice.
How deep are the water crossings and what's the hardest section I should mentally prep for?
The creek crossings in Black Run vary with rainfall but can reach axle-deep after recent rain. The steepest clay descents are the real pucker factor — slick, off-camber, and unforgiving if you lose momentum or line, so scout before you commit.
How far is the nearest gas station, and is there any reliable cell service on trail if something goes wrong?
New Lexington is your last reliable fuel stop, roughly 10-15 minutes from the trailhead — fill up there. Cell service on trail is spotty at best and nonexistent in the low creek drainages, so have a satellite communicator and don't run this one solo.
Trail track
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