After five years of struggles, successes, ATV park carves its own path
PATTON - It's been five years since planners started plotting trails on an old strip mine now called Rock Run Recreation Area.
Now, after years of success mixed with struggle, the 6,000-acre all-terrain vehicle park is rumbling through its fifth year, growing in both attendance and offerings, with its largest trail expansion since its 2007 opening on the way this fall.
Special events like the annual Fisher ATV World Reunion, Rally At the Rock and a Can-Am Grand National Cross-Country Series race in May have led the way, drawing hundreds - if not thousands - to the park and region over the past year, organizers said.
"We're starting to make strides," said state Rep. Gary Haluska, Rock Run board chairman. "We're maintaining what we have and are preparing to add new trails in September."
The board is planning to seek bids on 40 miles of new ATV trails, which will increase its total trail mileage by 50 percent to 120 miles this fall.
"It's going to mean more single track trails for dirt bikes, ATVs and side-by-sides, which all share the same trails," Haluska added, estimating it will cost $800,000 to do the work.
Funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the state's ATV license fund are making it possible.
"The engineering and layout are all complete. It's just a matter of finding a low bidder and getting it to construction," he added.
But not unlike its own rugged trails, Rock Run's road to success hasn't always been a smooth one.
History, hills to climb
Rock Run was years in the making.
The property was acquired from a former coal mine operator in 2004. It opened three years later with 50 miles of trails and lofty expectations.
A $20 million master plan called for the park to more than triple in size, include BMX tracks, a campground and snowmobile trails.
After the park drew 5,800 people in a short 2007 season, planners envisioned attendance at a year-round Rock Run would double in 2008 and continue growing as time went on and the park itself grew.
But growth was slow the first few years. Operators quickly realized the mountaintop park, built on a former strip mine in rural northeastern Cambria County, wasn't an ideal site for off-road enthusiasts during much of the winter months.
Its season was quickly shortened, to the dismay of snowmobile enthusiasts.
"Half of the time in winter, you can't even find the trails," Haluska said, citing unpredictable weather, snow drifts and safety concerns as issues. "And when you go through the fields there are so many rocks left over you can break something. Winter's just too rough up here.
Atv Trails In Ohio - News
Lisa and Larry Bates of Salem, Ohio, and their two daughters made a 3 hour drive to the park on a sunny Thursday, planning a multi-day visit. This was their first out-of-state trek for ATV riding, they said. "And we'll be back," said Lisa Salem,
Teammate Adam McGill, who also was an early race leader on his DS 450 ATV, was slowed by an electrical issue and ended up in 11th place. At the break, McGill sits comfortably in second place in the championship points race.
By the end of July, they intend to complete nearly 20 miles of new stacked-loop biking and hiking trails in the Craig Branch and Garden Ground areas, in addition to removing and rehabilitating 12 miles of illegal ATV trails and clearing away four acres
But there's a catch: A 70-year-old purchase agreement limits potential uses for the land, but the public is increasingly demanding other uses, such as ATV and off-road vehicle trails. Those decisions will likely have a direct impact on Drummond
The handcycles will be made available for rental to locals and tourists to enjoy some of the beautiful and accessible biking trails that Missoula and Western Montana have to offer. Also in this category, the Greater New Orleans Miracle League of New
Ohio riders?? - Honda ATV Forum
I live in the Akron, Ohio area and am looking for people to ride with. I used to ride a bit in the central PA area but my friends with the cabin out there have a new baby so needless to say they haven't been riding much the past year or so. I'd love to find some new friends to ride with in Ohio or PA or anywhere fun really. It makes me sad to see my quad just sitting there wanting to ride... Anyone nearby? I went to Wellsvile a few years ago, and it was gnarley. It was a very fun and exciting place though. It seems like it is a dirtbike area only, but has become more ATV, buggy type vehicle friendly. I was at Wayne national forest in 2003, and I loved it. Back then, my buddy and I were on 300EX's that we though were race bike fast, so we were zipping around like we were the fastest bikes around, lol. This year, I hope to make a trip to Majestic ATV trails near Bradford,PA. I went last year and had a blast. The trails are a mountainous type of terrain, but not very difficult, and there is a MX track you can play around on. Lost of places to ride in Ohio, you just have to look around. I won't be at happy hollow for a few weeks but my crew will be up there. Look for a red 400ex and a 450r black, also a couple of kfx'es. Happy hollow has a two tracks, one is mainly a motox track but still is fun with a quad. Has a lot of ramps. Plus trails and huge hills! Good time indeed and only 10 bucks no restrictions that I know off. Also there is a drag place. Has a light too!
Atv Trails In Ohio - Bookshelf
Ohio ATV Trails Guidebook, Complete Riding Guide to ATV in Ohio - OH ATV
Natural wonders of Ohio, a guide to parks, preserves & wild places
Facilities: Bridle trails, ATV trails, Windbreak Arboretum in the ATV trail section. For more information: Maumee State Forest, 1-3357-D, Swanton, OH 43558. ...American Motorcyclist
Riding ATVs was next with 85900 injuries peryear. ... Ohio: Buckeye State Chapter. Coshocton. Texas: Sam Henderson, Austin; Carl W Riehn, ...American Motorcyclist
For ticket information, call (800) MID-OHIO. Touring lips Thanks for the ... proposed closure of some of the existing, legal ATV trails that we so enjoy. ...American Motorcyclist
Wilderness Lite ^•In an effort to keep ATV trails open in the face of ... No one I spoke with was aware there is public land here in Ohio open to ATVs. ...Knowledge Base Directory
Ohio ATV Trails | ATVFan
Find ATV trails in Ohio and read our member's reviews.
Ohio ATV Trails
2011 Ohio ATV trails, OHV parks, motorcycle trails and motocross tracks (OH). Includes trail maps, GPS points and photos of legal places to ride your ...
Official Ohio ATV Trails Guide
The Official Ohio ATV trails guide is an adventure travel guide to the best quad and ATV trails in Ohio ( OH )
ATV Source - Trailheads - Ohio
ATV Source - Your definitive source for all-terrain vehicles and ATV recreation information, featuring industry news, racing news, riding areas, and ...
Ohio ATV Clubs, Ohio 4x4 Clubs
Ohio 4x4 Clubs. Although the Mountain Travel Guide does not list trails in Ohio yet, we still wanted to provide a list of some of the great clubs located there. ...