Great Ohio Adventure Trail
The first route developed for adventure motorcycle and overland travel to span Ohio from the Ohio River to Lake Erie.
- Route Length: 1,126 miles
- Sections: 10
- Average Section Length: 112 miles
- Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
- Big Bike Friendly: Yes
- Route Start: Ohio River (Ripley)
- Route End: Lake Erie (Conneaut)
For the latest updates from the trail, join the GOAT Facebook Group:
About the Route
The Great Ohio Adventure Trail (GOAT) is a scenic journey for adventure motorcycle and overland vehicles that uses dirt, gravel and paved public roads to traverse remote and less visited parts of Ohio, passing through many small towns, state parks and historic sites along the way. This 1,100+ mile route primarily uses township roads, forest roads and rural country byways to lead riders from the Ohio River to Lake Erie while staying entirely inside Ohio’s borders. The GOAT consists solely of two-way public roads. Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) are not permitted on any portion of the route. All vehicles must be properly licensed, registered, insured, and legal to operate on public roadways in the state of Ohio.
The mission of the Great Ohio Adventure Trail is to promote adventure tourism and responsible outdoor recreation throughout Ohio’s Appalachian Region. The route was developed as an adventure touring route with the beginner to intermediate skill level in mind and big bike friendly to make the route accessible and to show others that Ohio is more than a great place to be from; it’s a great place to explore.
The GOAT passes through twenty-nine Counties, twelve State Parks & Forests, and all three units of the Wayne National Forest. Along the way, you’ll encounter many places of historic significance which make up Ohio’s storied past and vibrant culture including the John P. Parker House in Ripley, an important site on the Underground Railroad which marks the start of the trail. Historic iron furnaces, rural Amish communities, covered bridges and so much more await.
Less than a day’s drive from over 50% of the U.S. population, this epic adventure is closer than you may think.
GOAT Sticker Stash
Pick up a free sticker to commemorate your journey on the Great Ohio Adventure Trail! Located on Section 5 on Onion Run Road in Morgan County.
Coordinates
39.61767, -81.70136
Route Sections
Ripley, OH to Shawnee State Park - 121 miles
Section 1 of the Great Ohio Adventure Trail begins at the John P. Parker House. The town of Ripley is historically significant to Ohio’s, as well as our nation’s history, as a major stop on the underground railroad. Just over 160 years ago, many people arrived right here on the banks of the Ohio River seeking freedom from enslavement. Today, we arrive seeking adventure.
The first gravel road you’ll encounter on the GOAT is Howard Hill Road, 4.5 miles in. Check out the stone walls lining this road which date back to the very first American settlers in Brown County. At mile 19.2, make a right onto Balcony Hills Road. This begins an awesome intermediate section which takes you up a steep hill with loose rock and ledges to roughly 300 feet above the Ohio River where you’ll then run a nice two-track road for about 3 miles. The route is then mostly pavement until about mile 71. Some highlights:
- Small creek crossing – just outside West Union
- West Union – Fuel/Food
- Treber Inn – (popular stop along the historic Zane’s Trace, origins of the “self-made man”)
Beech Fork Road has two water crossings. Great little township road. There is an optional water crossing shortly after right off SR 348. I would not recommend this if there has been recent rainfall, but feel free to check it out yourself. The Blue Creek General Store is a popular stop. It’s the best store in town and a good place for fuel/supplies before you get into Shawnee State Forest.
Shawnee State Forest features rugged terrain and tight switchbacks It is the largest state-owned public land in Ohio at 64,000+ acres. There is a great scenic view just off the route on Forest Road 2 as well as at Picnic Point. Section 1 ends at Shawnee State Park where you can camp at the campground or continue to the lodge for hotel accommodations.
Gas/Fuel
Marathon: 911 S 2nd St, Ripley, OH 45167
Speedway: 525 E Main St, West Union, OH 45693
UDF: 735 E Main St, West Union, OH 45693
Blue Creek General Store: 21309 State Route 125, Blue Creek, OH 45616
Weaver’s: 13352 US Route 52, West Portsmouth, OH 45663
Food
Dairy Yum-Yum
1105 S 2nd St, Ripley, OH 45167
Olde Wayside Inn
222 W Main St, West Union, OH 45693
JT’s Stovetop BBQ Co.
123 Washington St, West Union, OH 45693
Blue Creek General Store
21309 State Route 125, Blue Creek, OH 45616
Lodging/Camping
Places of Interest
John P. Parker House
National Historic Landmark where John P. Parker lived as he ferried fugitive slaves across the Ohio River in search of freedom.
- Address: 300 N Front St, Ripley, OH 45167
- Visit Website
Blue Creek General Store
This one-stop shop for fuel, food, and camping supplies is a popular stop for adventure motorcyclists. The Sasquatch statue is a popular photo op.
- Address: 21309 OH-125, Blue Creek, OH 45616
- Visit Website
Shawnee State Forest
Also called “The Little Smokies of Ohio,” Shawnee State Forest has developed into the largest of Ohio’s state forests with more than 60,000 acres.
Shawnee State Park
Once the hunting grounds for the Native American Shawnee tribes, the rugged landscape of the 1,095-acre Shawnee State Park offers outdoor adventurers an opportunity to explore the back country of southern Ohio’s Appalachian foothills near the banks of the Ohio River.
Shawnee State Park to Lake Vesuvius - 97 miles
Section 2 of the Great Ohio Adventure Trail begins at the Theodore Roosevelt Game Preserve, or Shawnee State Park as it is known today. 4 miles in you’ll come across Forest Road 6, a fantastic gravel section filled with plenty of tight switchbacks. At mile 9 stands the Copperhead Fire Tower, Ohio’s first fire tower, built in 1924 at a cost of only $1,100. It’s also one of the only ones I know of that you can climb to the top. As you continue on the trail to Forest Road 1, be mindful of the many bridle trails which crisscross the area; many equestrians share the road. A small water crossing is located on Euton Road just after you leave Shawnee State Forest.
The GOAT intersects SR 348 at mile 30 of Section 2. From mile 30 until roughly mile 70, it’s basically all rural and twisty pavement. Stop for food, gas and supplies in Lucasville, Minford, or South Webster. You’ll soon enter the Ironton unit of Wayne National Forest. Keep your eyes open for some nice, dispersed camping spots off New Road. Or hit the OHV trails (pass required) if you’re feeling up to a challenge. Mile 86 is where you enter the small, but enjoyable Dean State Forest. Cannon Creek Road at Mile 88-90 is a fun little downhill section towards the end of the day.
For hotels and chain restaurants, continue south to Ironton. Otherwise, make a left at Ellisonville-Paddle Creek Road to head towards the Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area and the end of Section 2 of the Great Ohio Adventure Trail at the Vesuvius Iron Furnace
Gas/Fuel
The Depot: 7056 State Route 73, Otway, OH 45657
Briar Patch Convenient Mart: 11141 State Route 104, Lucasville, OH 45648
Marathon: 10863 US Route 23, Lucasville, OH 45648
BP: 8420 State Route 335, Minford, OH 45653
Multiple Gas Stations: Ironton, OH
Food
Giovanni’s Pizza
10848 State Route 335, Minford, OH 45653
Subway
8501 State Route 335, Minford, OH 45653
Buffalo Wild Wings
1001 Ironton Hills Drive, Ironton, OH 45638
Lodging/Camping
Places of Interest
Copperhead Fire Tower
Ohio’s first fire tower built in 1924. Visitors can climb this 60-foot tower and take in panoramic views of Shawnee State Forest.
- Location: Forest Road 6, Shawnee State Forest
- Visit Website
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area
Wayne National Forest’s premier developed recreation site with campgrounds, miles of hiking trails, and a beach for swimming.
- Location: Ellisonville-Paddle Creek Road, Wayne NF
- Visit Website
Hanging Rock OHV Trails – PERMIT REQUIRED
26 miles of trail are available for OHV, mountain bike, and hiking use. Open early April through early December each year.
- Location: Wayne National Forest – Ironton Unit
- Visit Website
Vesuvius Iron Furnace
This area of Ohio, known as the “Hanging Rock Region”, is home to several Iron Furnaces which were built to make iron in the late 1800’s. Much of the armament used in the Civil War was produced with iron sourced from this region.
- Location: Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area
- Visit Website
Lake Vesuvius to Tar Hollow State Park - 118 miles
Experience many of the wonderful forest roads found in the Ironton unit of Wayne National Forest.
Section 3 sees the trail head north out of the forest and through some open rural farmland. The best part is saved for last, as Tar Hollow State Forest’s South Ridge Road offers some fantastic gravel roads. Check out the fire tower before you descend into Tar Hollow State Park for the night.
Gas/Fuel
Generations Quick Stop: 2986 State Route 93, Ironton, OH 45638
Marathon:199 N Jackson St, Oak Hill, OH 45656
Marathon: 5611 Beaver Pike, Beaver, OH 45613
Marathon: 35414 US Route 50, Londonderry, OH 45647
Food
Liza Jane’s Dairy Bar
415 S Front St, Oak Hill, OH 45656
Emma’s Frosty Kreme & Pizza
5707 Beaver Pike, Beaver, OH 45613
Pine Tree Cafe & Pizza
35633 US Route 50, Londonderry, OH 45647
Lodging/Camping
Chillicothe, OH
- Multiple Chain Hotels
Tar Hollow State Park Campground Closed in 2025 for renovations
- 16396 Tar Hollow Road, Laurelville, OH 43135
- Website
Places of Interest
C, H & D Railroad Tunnel #2
Abandoned railroad tunnel once used by the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad
Blackfork
African American company town founded by the Washington Iron Furnace Co. Heavily involved in the Underground Railroad.
Johnson Road Covered Bridge
Covered Bridge constructed in 1870 using the Smith-Truss design and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984
Tar Hollow State Forest
Ohio’s third largest state forest at 16,446 acres offers a scenic backpacking trail and a climbable fire tower.
Tar Hollow State Park to Burr Oak State Park - 122 miles
As you leave Tar Hollow, be sure to stop in Laurelville for breakfast and to fuel up. The route now heads east through Vinton County and into Zaleski State Forest. Ohio’s 2nd largest State Forest offers some wonderful gravel roads to ride. Make sure you stop by the Moonville and King’s Hollow Tunnels! From here the route enters Athens County. Nelsonville is a great town to explore as the gateway to the Athens unit of Wayne National Forest. Check out Tinker’s Cave before making your way to Burr Oak for the night.
Gas/Fuel
Sunoco: 16030 Water St, Laurelville, OH 43135
Valero:139 N Plains Rd, The Plains, OH 45780
Marathon: 10 Toledo St, Glouster, OH 45732
Food
The Ridge Inn
16178 Pike St, Laurelville, OH 43135
The Moonville Market
129 Main Street, Zaleski, OH 45698
Tammy’s Country Kitchen
1333 E Canal St, Nelsonville, OH 45764
The Mine Tavern
214 Public Square, Nelsonville, OH 45764
Lodging/Camping
Places of Interest
Moonville Tunnel
Abandoned railroad tunnel found in Zaleski State Forest on the Moonville Rail Trail
Tinker’s Cave
Tinker’s Cave, located in Wayne National Forest, is named after Shep Tinker, a local horse thief who was active from the 1840s until as late as the 1860s
Buchtel Spring
Natural spring with fresh water available for drinking or filling jugs. Located in the village of Buchtel.
Burr Oak State Park to Marietta, OH - 112 miles
Section 5 is arguably the heart of the Great Ohio Adventure Trail, and home to some of Ohio’s finest ADV terrain. Section 5 begins at Burr Oak State Park and dives right into the Athens Unit of Wayne National Forest. Beautiful forest roads and the Adams-San Toy Covered Bridge await. The route crosses the Muskingum River and into McConnelsville, the county seat of Morgan County. Home to the smallest Kroger in the United States, McConnelsville is a great place to stop for food and fuel. Section 5 then opens up as you enter the Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area. Be sure to stop by the Big Muskie Bucket, the last remaining piece of the largest single-shoveled earth moving machine ever constructed, which now serves as the Ohio Miners’ Memorial. Unionville Road boasts one of the most wide-open views in all of the state. The GOAT sticker stash is located shortly after on Onion Run Road. Section 5 ends at the Lafayette Hotel in downtown Marietta after covering some truly wonderful township roads.
Gas/Fuel
Triple Nickel: 10840 OH-37, Malta, OH 43758
Marathon: 383 W Riverside Dr, McConnelsville, OH 43756
Sunoco: 18990 OH-339, Waterford, OH 45786
Food
Boondocks BBQ
4651 OH-60, McConnelsville, OH 43756
The Cornerstone Inn
201 5th St, Beverly, OH 45715
Over the Moon Pub & Pizza
170 Front St, Marietta, OH 45750
Lodging/Camping
Lafayette Hotel
- 101 Front St, Marietta, OH 45750
- Website
Places of Interest
Helmick Mill Covered Bridge
Located just west of McConnelsville
Muskingum River Lock # 7
Historic river lock still in operation to this day
Big Muskie Bucket
Last remaining piece of Big Muskie, the largest single-shoveled earth moving machine ever constructed. Serves as the Ohio Miners’ Memorial
Marietta, OH to Salt Fork State Park - 131 miles
Section 6 of the Great Ohio Adventure Trail features rugged and intermediate adventure touring throughout the Marietta Unit of Wayne National Forest. The trail heads east from Marietta, winds its way through the Wayne and then turns north towards Woodsfield. Woodsfield is a great place to take a break for gas and food. From Woodsfield, the trail heads northwest towards Senecaville. Picturesque views await as you cruise past Seneca Lake. Fuel up at the intersection with Interstate 70 before heading north into Salt Fork State Park, Ohio’s largest, where Section 6 ends. Salt Fork has a campground as well as a lodge.
Gas/Fuel
Speedway: 100 N 7th St, Marietta, OH 45750
Marathon: 201 S Main St, Woodsfield, OH 43793
Go Mart: 64322 Wintergreen Rd, Lore City, OH 43755
Food
Woodsfield Diner: 211 S Main St, Woodsfield, OH 43793
Traditions: 113 S Main St, Woodsfield, OH 43793
The Bear’s Den Steakhouse: 13320 E Pike Rd, Cambridge, OH 43725
Lodging/Camping
Ring Mill Campground (NF): 38645 Jericho Low Gap Rd, Matamoras, OH 45767
Appalachian Retreat Camp (hipcamp): Newport, OH
Salt Fork State Park: 14755 Cadiz Rd, Lore City, OH 43755
Seneca Lake Park: 22172 Park Rd, Senecaville, OH 43780
Salt Fork Lodge: 11073 Natural Resources 3 Road, Kimbolton, OH 43749
Places of Interest
Wayne National Forest – Marietta Unit
Rugged terrain making up the easternmost unit of Wayne National Forest
Walter Ring House
Historic stone house located at Ring Mill Campground
Seneca Lake
One of Ohio’s largest lakes offering a variety of fishing, boating, and water sports, as well as a year-round campground
Salt Fork State Park
Ohio’s largest State Park at 17,229 acres which encompasses a diverse and beautiful landscape
Salt Fork State Park to Mohican State Park - 112 miles
Section 7 of the GOAT takes you northwest towards the rolling hills and the southernmost part of Ohio’s Amish Country. Enjoy the endless gravel through Woodbury Wildlife Area and the many township roads which lead up to Mohican State Forest. Make sure to check out the Mohawk Dam, a fascinating US Army Corps of Engineers project. This section ends at Mohican State Park, one of the most scenic in all of Ohio. Be sure to stop by and check out the views which overlook the gorge below.
Gas/Fuel
BP: 3 S Market St, Danville, OH 43014
Food
Wills Creek Grub & Pub: 15370 Co Rd 274, Coshocton, OH 43812
Lodging/Camping
Places of Interest
Hosak’s Cave
Scenic Rock Shelter located within Salt Fork State Park
Mohawk Dam
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dam; take the gravel access road to check it out
Bridge of Dreams
370-foot long covered bridge which is the third longest in the country. Not open to motorized traffic
Mohican State Park
Scenic park with a gorge, covered bridge and canoeing
Mohican State Park to New Philadelphia, OH - 103 miles
Under Construction
New Philadelphia, OH to West Branch State Park - 93 miles
Under Construction
West Branch State Park to Conneaut, OH - 119 miles
Under Construction
GPX Files
Great Ohio Adventure Trail
The full-length route from the Ohio River to Lake Erie.
For OnX users, the main GPX file will exceed the 4MB file size. Download the route split in two files below.
GOAT Loops
Looping routes which can be completed in a single day highlighting scenic and historic areas on and around different sections of the trail.
Great Ohio Adventure Trail YouTube Videos
A 7-part series from the first running of the Great Ohio Adventure Trail from the Ohio River to Lake Erie in 2023. Each video should give a general idea of what to expect on the trail.
Please note that there may be places shown here which may not be included in the current version of the route.
Great Ohio Adventure Trail
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20:32
15:36
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16:13
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