Raccoon Creek County Park Sand Pit Trail
Quarry pit technical challenge in reclaimed mining land
The old Devola Sand Company quarry pits east of Raccoon Creek have been transformed into one of Ohio’s most technical 4×4 playgrounds. This reclaimed mining site features steep sand walls, water-filled extraction pits, and loose aggregate hills that’ll test your differential locks and tire pressure management. The main loop connects three former quarry sites via county maintenance roads, with the infamous ‘Devil’s Bowl’ sand pit requiring low-range 4WD and aggressive tires to escape its 35-degree walls.
This is technical terrain demanding high-clearance 4WD with recovery points and aired-down tires. Best tackled during dry months (May through October) when water levels drop in the extraction pits. No permits required, but respect private property boundaries marked with orange paint. The challenge rewards you with unique geological formations and surprisingly good wildlife viewing in this industrial-turned-wild landscape.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Sand |
| Features | Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 8 mi / 12.9 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1020 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with recovery points |
| Nearest town | Beaver, Ohio |
| Land manager | Beaver County Parks |
| 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.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run this trail, or does it need mods?
Stock rigs won't cut it here. The minimum is a modified 4WD with recovery points — think lockers, aired-down aggressive tires, and a lift. The quarry terrain is loose sand with steep, unpredictable climbs that will bury a stock truck.
When is the Sand Pit Trail actually driveable — does rain shut it down?
Best window is May through October. Rain turns the sand pits into deep, soupy holes that are significantly harder to recover from, so check conditions before you go. Winter is not recommended — frozen sand can be deceptively unstable.
Do you need a permit or pay a fee to run this trail?
Beaver County Parks manages the land, so check with them directly before heading out — access rules on reclaimed mining land can change. No widely published permit system exists as of now, but verify current status since land manager policies shift.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The steep quarry pit climbs on loose sand are the crux — traction breaks loose fast and the walls are unforgiving if you slide. Expect water holes that are hard to read for depth, and bring a full recovery kit because getting stuck here is a when, not an if, for most rigs.
How far is the nearest gas station, and is there any cell service if something goes wrong?
Beaver, Ohio is your closest town for fuel, so top off before you drop in — don't count on running back out for gas. Cell service is spotty inside the trail, so download offline maps and make sure someone knows your plans before you go.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.